Hidden Stories: Rekindling A Community's Spirit and Honoring Lawrence Welk

When Terri Lang took inventory of her community of Strasburg one day, she noticed something was missing… something her friend Kellie once provided through her love of music.

Kellie Wikenheiser played a big role in connecting the community through music. She was the Music Director at Strasburg Public School and music leader at her church, and she always gave the community something to look forward to as she planned the town’s Easter Cantata. And when Kellie passed away in March of 2023, the whole community felt it.

And then Terri had an idea. “We needed music back in our community, and I knew there were several ladies with musical abilities who could at least consider picking up where Kellie left off.”

What began as a handful of ladies willing to take a chance has blossomed into a close-knit group of 17 women from Emmons County and beyond. “Most of us are over the age of 40,” Terri says. “We have two retired music teachers in our group, one current music teacher, and three pianists.” They come from different backgrounds, different cities, different denominations. But they all have one thing in common: a strong passion for music. And that’s where Joyful Voices began.

The group started practicing regularly at the Care Center Chapel in Strasburg, and they soon began reaching the hearts of care center residents across rural North Dakota and South Dakota with their music. “We sing everything from gospel and patriotic tunes, to 50’s classics and country hits.” Their growing reputation led to larger performances, incorporating ukuleles, a guitarist and a violinist, along with strong soloists into their repertoire. All the while, something more than music was happening.

“We’ve come to lean on each other like family,” says Terri. Friendships formed across different denominations, with prayer requests and heartfelt conversations becoming just as common as rehearsals. “We didn’t know each other at first," Terri shared, "but now, we lean on each other like family."

Joyful Voices is about to take on their largest challenge: a tribute show for the 10th anniversary of the state’s ownership of the Lawrence Welk Homestead. The ladies, joined by a few male singers, will recreate the beloved Lawrence Welk Show under a tent at the historic homestead. They'll open the program just like the original show did, dressed in formal gowns, plaid pants, and bow ties, and lead the audience through a journey of music from the 1940s to the 1990s, ending with the iconic "Goodnight, Goodnight" song.

Terri and the group have been working hard to put on a performance that will resonate with their audience. “The Lawrence Welk Show was so popular because it had a way of making viewers feel like they were part of the show. I hope this performance does the same.”

Practice after practice, the project has become personal for the group. “So many of us grew up in German-Russian households where music was a huge part of family. In my home, watching the Lawrence Welk Show before bath time every Saturday night was a tradition.”

Joyful Voices isn’t just bringing back music to the community, it’s bringing back memories. “I think Kellie would be very proud.”

Joyful Voices will perform their tribute performance of the Lawrence Welk Show at the 10th anniversary celebration of the North Dakota Historical Society’s ownership of the Lawrence Welk Homestead Site in Strasburg on June 1st. Joyful Voices will perform at 1pm CT.

To learn more about Joyful Voices, visit their Facebook page.