Werner, August, 1893-1980

August Werner was born in Bergen, Norway, in 1893 and graduated from the Masters School of Music in New York in 1924. Werner was a professor in the School of Music at the University of Washington from 1931 to 1965. He taught voice lessons, gave recitals, and made appearances in opera productions at the university. Werner also directed the Norwegian Male Chorus and the Ladies' Chorus in Seattle and acted as director in chief of the Pacific Coast Norwegian Singers' Association. Werner performed as a baritone in the United States and Europe; he was also an artist, painting landscapes of Norway and scenes from Norway's history. Among his creations as a sculptor are a bust of Beethoven, on display on the University of Washington campus, and a cast-bronze statue of Leif Eriksson which overlooks Shilshole Bay Marina in Seattle. Werner was decorated by the King of Norway with the Order of St. Olav and as a Knight of St. Olav by the King of Sweden. He died in 1980.

From the description of August Werner papers, 1911-1980. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 70702612

Singer, music teacher, and visual artist, August Werner (1893-1980), was born in Bergen, Norway, but spent much of his life in Seattle, Washington, where he was a professor in the School of Music at the University of Washington (1931-1965) and active with the local Scandinavian American community. Werner performed as a baritone in both the United States and in Europe, appearing as a soloist with symphony orchestras, churches, and choirs. In Seattle, in addition to his work with the School of Music, he directed the Norwegian Male Chorus, Norwegian Ladies Chorus, the Chanters of the Nile Temple Shrine, and the Pacific Coast Norwegian Singers' Association. Werner also achieved some renown an artist. He painted landscapes of Norway and scenes from Norway's history. Among his sculptures located in Seattle is a cast-bronze statue of the Norse explorer, Leif Erikson, presented to the Port of Seattle by the Leif Erikson League on Norway Day, June 17, 1962, at the 1962 Seattle World's Fair. The twelve foot high Leif Erikson statue, which overlooks Shilshole Bay Marina in the Ballard area of Seattle, was created by Werner in partnership with Trygve Nakkerud, John Engan, and Einer Stende. A maquette of the Leif Erikson statue is in the collection of the Nordic Heritage Museum in Seattle, Washington. Werner was decorated by the King of Norway with the Order of St. Olav and as a Knight of St. Olav by the King of Sweden.

From the description of August Werner photograph collection, 1896-1962 [graphic]. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 300524483

August Werner was born in Bergen, Norway, on December 5th, 1893. In 1913 he received a B.S. from the College of Agriculture in Stend, Norway, and he graduated from the Masters School of Music in New York in 1924. Werner was a professor in the School of Music at the University of Washington from 1931 to 1965. He taught voice lessons, gave recitals, and made appearances in opera productions at the university. Werner also directed the Norwegian Male Chorus and the Ladies' Chorus in Seattle, as well as the Chanters of the Nile Temple Shrine. In addition, Werner acted as director in chief of the Pacific Coast Norwegian Singers' Association. Werner performed as a baritone both in the United States and in Europe. He sang as a soloist with symphony orchestras, churches, and choirs. He also performed as an invited soloist at special events in his communities.

Werner was also an artist. He painted landscapes of Norway and scenes from Norway's history. Among his creations as a sculptor are a bust of Beethoven at the University of Washington and a cast-bronze statue of Leif Eriksson, unveiled in 1962, which overlooks Shilshole Bay Marina in the Ballard area of Seattle, Washington. Werner was decorated by the King of Norway with the Order of St. Olav and as a Knight of St. Olav by the King of Sweden. He died in 1980.

From the guide to the August Werner papers, 1911-1980, (University of Washington Libraries Special Collections)

August Werner was born in Bergen, Norway on December 5, 1893. He received a B.S. from the College of Agriculture in Stend, Norway in 1913 and graduated from the Masters School of Music in New York in 1924. Werner performed as a baritone both in the United States and in Europe. He sang as a soloist with symphony orchestras, churches, and choirs. He also performed as an invited soloist at various special events. Werner was a professor in the School of Music at the University of Washington from 1931 to 1965. He taught voice lessons and participated in recitals and in University opera productions. Werner directed the Norwegian Male Chorus and the Norwegian Ladies Chorus in Seattle. He also directed the Chanters of the Nile Temple Shrine. In addition, Werner acted as Director in Chief of the Pacific Coast Norwegian Singers' Association.

Werner was also an artist. He painted landscapes of Norway and scenes from Norway's history. Two of his sculptures located in Seattle are a bust of Beethoven at the University of Washington and a cast-bronze statue of the Norse explorer, Leif Erikson, presented to the Port of Seattle by the Leif Erikson League on Norway Day, June 17, 1962, at the 1962 Seattle World's Fair. Governor Albert Rosellini, Mayor Gordon Clinton, Icelandic Consul Karl Fredrick, Norwegian Consul Christen Stand, and others spoke at the dedication of the statue. Werner directed the Norwegian Ladies Chorus and Norwegian Male Chorus at the ceremony. The twelve foot high Leif Erikson statue, which overlooks Shilshole Bay Marina in the Ballard area of Seattle was created by Werner in partnership with Trygve Nakkerud, John Engan, and Einer Stende. The four-foot maquette of the Leif Erikson statue is in the collection of the Nordic Heritage Museum in Seattle, Washington.

Werner was decorated by the King of Norway with the Order of St. Olav and as a Knight of St. Olav by the King of Sweden. He died in 1980.

From the guide to the August Werner photograph collection, 1896-1962, (University of Washington Libraries Special Collections)