Nordic Choir
Allen Hightower, conductor
Winter Tour 2013
1
Tour Program
WINTER 2013 APPEARANCES
Selections to made from the following:
Wednesday, January 16, 2013 / 7 p.m.
Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church
Naperville, Illinois
I: The Life of Christ
Thursday, January 17, 2013 / 7:30 p.m.
Holy Cross Lutheran Church
Fort Wayne, Indiana
Friday, January 18, 2013 / 7 p.m.
Peace Lutheran Church
Gahanna, Ohio
Saturday, January 19, 2013 / 7:30 p.m.
St. Paul’s Lutheran Church
Ardmore, Pennsylvania
Sunday, January 20, 2013 / 4 p.m.
Asbury First United Methodist Church
Rochester, New York
Tuesday, January 22, 2013 / 7:30 p.m.
St. Bart’s Episcopal Church
New York, New York
Wednesday, January 23, 2013 / 7:30 p.m.
Lutheran Church of the Reformation
Washington, D.C.
Thursday, January 24, 2013 / 7:30 p.m.
Holy Trinity Lutheran Church
Hickory, North Carolina
Friday, January 25, 2013 / 7:30 p.m.
The Conn Center at Lee University
Cleveland, Tennessee
Saturday, January 26, 2013 / 7 p.m.
Central Baptist Church of Bearden
Knoxville, Tennessee
Sunday, January 27, 2013 / 7:30 p.m.
Westminster Presbyterian Church
Greenville, South Carolina
Monday, January 28, 2013 / 7:30 p.m.
Palms Presbyterian Church
Jacksonville Beach, Florida
Wednesday, January 30, 2013 / 7:30 p.m.
First Presbyterian Church
St. Petersburg, Florida
Thursday, January 31, 2013 / 8 p.m.
University of Georgia Performing Arts Center
Athens, Georgia
Friday, February 1, 2013 / 7:30 p.m.
Asbury United Methodist Church
Madison, Alabama
Saturday, February 2, 2013 / 8 p.m.
Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis
St. Louis, Missouri
Tuesday, February 5, 2013 / 7:30 p.m.
Luther College, Center for Faith and Life
Decorah, Iowa
2
Hosanna to the Son of David
Thomas Weelkes (d. 1623)
Oxford University Press
Hosanna to the Son of David.
Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord,
Hosanna, Thou that sittest in the highest heavens.
Hosanna in excelsis Deo.
Verbum caro factum est
Z. Randall Stroope (b. 1953)
manuscript
And the word became flesh,
dwelt and walked among us,
We beheld His glory, Alleluia!
Full of grace, full of truth,
Those who walk in darkness and death’s shadow,
have seen a great light shining, Alleluia!
(without applause)
II. Christ Is Arisen
(from Three Pre-Reformation Chorale Motets)
Ludwig Lendel (1914–2002)
Concordia Publishing House, 98-1572
Christ is arisen,
Overcome death’s prison,
Rejoice, rejoice we all, for Christ the Lord,
Christ the Lord is our Trust and Comfort.
Kyrieleis.
Had He not ascended,
The world had gone asunder,
Christ risen now for us,
Praise to Thee, Most Glorious.
Kyrieleis.
Alleluia,
Rejoice we all, for Christ,
for Christ the Lord is our Trust and Comfort,
Kyrieleis.
II. Of a Rose, a Lovely Rose
IV: A Spotless Rose
(from Now Sleeps the Crimson Petal)
Paul Mealor (b. 1975)
Novello & Co., NOV292754
A Spotless Rose is growing,
Sprung from a tender root,
of ancient seers’ foreshowing,
of Jesse promised fruit;
Its fairest bud unfolds to light
Amid the cold, cold winter, and the dark midnight.
The Rose which I am singing,
Where of Isaiah said,
Is from its sweet root springing
In Mary, purest Maid:
The Blessed Babe she bare us
Through God’s great love and might
The Blessed Babe she bare us
Amid the cold, cold winter, and the dark midnight.
A Spotless Rose is growing,
In a cold, cold winter’s night
Now sleeps the crimson petal.
Amen.
(without applause)
Go, Lovely Rose
Eric Whitacre (b. 1970)
Santa Barbara Music Publishing, Inc., SBMP 432
Go, lovely rose
Tell her that wastes her time and me,
That now she knows,
When I resemble her to thee,
How sweet and fair she seems to be.
Tell her that’s young,
And shuns to have her graces spied,
That hadst thou sprung
In deserts where no men abide,
Thou must have uncommended died.
Small is the worth of beauty from the light retired;
Bid her come forth, Suffer herself to be desired,
And not blush so to be admired.
Then die, that she the common fate of all things rare
May read in thee;
How small a part of time they share,
That are so wondrous sweet and fair!
Dr. Allen
Hightower
Allen Hightower is professor of
music at Luther College, where
he serves as conductor of the
renowned Nordic Choir and
artistic director of Christmas
at Luther. As Luther’s director
of choral activities, he gives
leadership to a choral program
that includes four conductors,
six choirs, and more than 500
singers. Prior to joining the faculty at Luther, Hightower served
as professor of music and director of choral activities at
Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas. During
his tenure, the SHSU Chorale performed for the 2007
National Convention of the American Choral Directors
Association, the 2010 Southwestern Division of ACDA,
and the 2003, 2006, and 2010 conventions of the Texas
Music Educators Association.
Before joining the faculty at Sam Houston, Allen served
on the faculty of California State University, Long Beach,
conducting the CSULB Chamber Singers. His high school
teaching experience includes positions at Klein High
School in Houston, Texas, and at Odessa (Texas) Permian
High School. Under Allen’s direction, the Permian High
School Kantorei performed for the 1996 Texas Music
Educators Association convention. From 2005–10 Allen was music director of the Houston
Masterworks Chorus, Houston’s largest independent
symphonic chorus. A lifelong church musician, Hightower
has served Baptist, Methodist, Presbyterian, and
Congregational churches in Texas and California. He
served as the Duesenberg Concert Choir Chair for the
Lutheran Summer Music Academy and Festival in 2007
and 2011, and will serve in this role again this year.
Allen holds degrees from Sam Houston State University,
Baylor University, the Eastman School of Music, and
UCLA. He was the first-prize winner in the graduate
division of the ACDA Conducting Competition in 1997. From 1997–2000 he served as conducting intern with the
Los Angeles Master Chorale. Allen has been mentored
by choral conductors Bev Henson, Donald Neuen, Paul
Salamunovich, Joe Flummerfelt, and Weston Noble.
Performing and teaching opportunities during the fall of
2012 and the spring and summer of 2013 include venues
in Iowa, Minnesota, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania,
New York, Tennessee, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida,
Alabama, Missouri, Colorado, California, Texas, and
Washington, D.C. These include residencies at the
University of Alabama, Colorado State University,
Pepperdine University, and VanderCook College.
Allen is married to soprano Kristin Hightower. They reside
in Decorah, Iowa with their daughters, Caroline and
Julianne.
3
Tour Program
HANNAH
MYOTT ‘13
Minneapolis, Minn.
Anthropology and
German major,
music minor
Postgraduation
plans: Teaching
abroad in Asia or
living in Germany
before attending
graduate school
What do you
appreciate most
about the liberal
arts experience? “I’m someone who loves to try
many different things, and a liberal arts education
allows me to do that. It’s also very flexible—last year
I switched my major from music to environmental
studies and then to communication studies before
finally deciding on anthropology and German. Where
else could I do that and still graduate on time?”
ADAM
BRADLEY ‘13
Sioux Falls, S.D.
Music major,
management minor
Postgraduation
plans: Attending
graduate school for
vocal performance
What do you love
about the JensonNoble Hall of
Music? “The thing I
love the most about
the Jenson-Noble
Hall of Music is the community it provides. It is
impossible to walk into the building and not feel like
you are at home. With the amount of time students
spend there, it really becomes a family. Everyone is
always supportive, affirming, and helpful.”
4
III. Make a Joyful Noise to the Lord
Jauchzet dem Hernn alle Welt
BMV Anhang 160
J.S. Bach (1685–1750)
Carus-Verlag, CV 35.002/05
Shout now, shout to the Lord.
All the earth, shout to the Lord,
Serve ye the Lord with gladness.
Come ye, come before his face
With rejoicing,
Hallelujah!
INTERMISSION
IV: In Praise of the Savior
All Hail the Power of Jesus Name
arr. James Mulholland (b. 1935)
Colla Voce, 12-50830
The audience is invited to sing on the fourth verse.
All hail the power of Jesus’ name!
Let angels prostrate fall;
Bring forth the royal diadem,
and crown Him Lord of all!
Ye chosen seed of Israel’s race,
Ye ransomed from the fall;
Hail Him who saves you by His grace,
And crown Him Lord of all!
Let every kindred, every tribe,
On this terrestrial ball,
To Him all majesty ascribe,
And crown Him Lord of all!
O that with yonder sacred throng
We at His feet may fall!
We’ll join the everlasting song,
And crown Him Lord of all! Amen.
The Lord is the Everlasting God
Kenneth Jennings (b. 1925)
Mark Foster Music, MF2137
Have you not known?
Have you not heard?
Has it not been told you from the beginning?
Have you not understood from the foundations of the earth?
It is God who sits above the circle of the earth,
who stretches out the heavens like a curtain,
and spreads them like a tent to live in.
To whom then will you compare me,
or who is my equal? says the Holy One.
Lift up your eyes and see:
God who brings out their host and numbers them,
calling them all by name, not one is missing.
The Lord is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth,
who does not faint or grow weary;
whose understanding is unsearchable.
God gives power to the faint, and strengthens the powerless.
Even youths will faint and be weary,
and the young will fall exhausted;
but those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength,
they shall mount up with wings like eagles,
they shall run and not be weary,
they shall walk and not faint.
Have you not heard? Have you not known?
SHANE
WILSON ‘13
Owatonna, Minn.
Mathematics major
Postgraduation
plans: Attending
graduate school for
meteorology science
What do you think
is unique about the
Nordic experience?
“Being involved
with Nordic and the
music department
in general has really
allowed me to have a foot in two worlds. I’ve met so
many people in music that I never would have known
had I gone to a larger school and been confined to
the math department. It’s never felt like the experiences were totally separate—my math professors
animatedly chat with me about choir (one of them was
actually a math and music double major in college),
and I’m recognized in the music department as the
guy that’s pretty good at addition. It’s an awesome
combination that I hope I can continue after Luther.”
(without applause)
Praise to the Lord
SOPHIA
HUANG ’14
arr. F. Melius Christiansen (1871–1955)
Augsburg Fortress, 11-0076
Fishers, Ind. Music major
Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of creation!
O my soul, praise Him, for He is thy health and salvation!
All ye who hear, Now to His temple draw near,
Join me in glad adoration.
Postgraduation
plans: Attending
graduate school
for opera/vocal
performance
Praise to the Lord,
who doth prosper thy work and defend thee;
Surely His goodness and mercy here daily attend thee;
Ponder anew
What the almighty can do
If with His love He befriend thee!
Praise to the Lord! O let all that is in me adore Him!
All that hath life and breath,
come now with praises before Him!
Let the Amen
Sound from His people again;
Gladly for aye we adore Him!
Alleluia!
Why did you
choose Luther
College? “I chose Luther
College because of
its music program.
I was impressed with the quality and size of Luther’s
music department. We are blessed with excellent
faculty, and not only in the music department, but the
entire college.”
55
Tour Program
V. Words from the Prophets
O Vos Omnes
Pablo Casals (1876–1973)
Tetra/Continuo music group, TC 128
O ye people that are passing by me and see me,
behold and see and consider
if there can be any sorrow as mine?
O ye people, is it nothing to you?
(without applause)
Dorian Festivals
and Summer Programs
Luther College hosts hundreds of middle and high
school student musicians at seven annual Dorian
Festivals and Summer Programs. Participants
receive private instruction, ensemble coaching, and
performance opportunities in Luther’s own Noble
Recital Hall and Center for Faith and Life.
Dorian Band Festival
625 participants
3 ensembles, including select Symphonic Band
Dorian Choral Invitational Festival
More than 450 participants
Dorian Keyboard Festival
More than 150 participants
Piano, organ, and harpsichord
Dorian Orchestra Festival
E’en So, Lord Jesus, Quickly Come
Paul Manz (1919–2009)
Concordia Publishing House, 98-1054
Peace be to you and grace from Him
Who freed us from our sins,
Who loved us all and shed his blood
That we might saved be.
Sing Holy to The Lord, Almighty God,
Who was and is and is to come;
Sing Holy, Holy, Lord!
Rejoice in heaven, all ye that dwell therein,
Rejoice on earth, ye saints below,
For Christ is coming soon!
E’en so, Lord Jesus, quickly come,
And night shall be no more;
They need no light, nor lamp, no sun,
For Christ will be their All!
More than 150 participants
3 ensembles, including select Chamber Orchestra
VI: The Joy of Singing
Dorian Junior and Senior High Summer Camps
Benedictio
More than 600 participants
Dorian Vocal Festival
1,250 participants
Choral and solo opportunities, including select
Chamber Choir
For information, contact
Jim Buzza, coordinator
Dorian Music Camps, Luther College
563-387-1389
[email protected]
http://music.luther.edu
Urmas Sisask (b. 1960)
Warner/Chappell Music Finland, HL48000823
May the Almighty God Bless you,
in the name of the Father, the Son,
and the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
My Romance
Rodgers and Hart, arr. Roy Ringwald (1910–1995)
Shawnee Press, A 1491
My romance doesn’t have to have a moon in the sky,
My romance doesn’t need a blue lagoon standing by;
No month of May, no twinkling stars,
66
No hide away, no soft guitars.
My romance doesn’t need a castle rising in Spain,
Nor a dance to a constantly surprising refrain.
Wide awake I can make my most fantastic dreams
come true;
My romance doesn’t need a thing but you.
Joshua Fit the Battle of Jericho
arr. Edwin Fissinger (1920–1990)
Colla Voce, 55-48166
Joshua fit the battle of Jericho,
And the walls came tumblin’ down.
You may talk about your king of Gideon,
You may talk about your men of Saul.
But there’s none like good old Joshua at the battle of Jericho.
Right up to the walls of Jericho,
And he marched with a spear in hand,
“Now go blow those ram horns” Joshua cried,
“Cause the battle am in my hand!”
O then Joshua had the people blow on the trumpets with a
mighty sound,
And they blew so awful loud and long.
That the walls came tumblin’ down over Jericho.
VII: Traditions of Nordic Choir
O Lord God
Pavel Chesnokov (1877–1944)
The Boston Music Company, 7723-7
O Lord God, hear Thou my prayer,
help Thou me, and give ear to my prayer.
Daily do I worship Thy great name and Thy power.
Thou alone canst help me. O send me Thy peace and love,
O protect me, my God. Let me never stray, O my Savior.
Leave me not, O God of my salvation.
I will sing to the Lord as long as I live,
and praise Thy great name while I have my being.
Hear my prayer, help Thou me, and give ear to my prayer.
Glory to God.
Luther College Vocal Program
Luther College offers a wide variety of opportunities
for vocal music participation for young aspiring
singers.
Choral Ensembles
Aurora, Dr. Sandra Peter, 90-voice first-year women’s
choir
Cantorei, Linda Martin, women’s choir
Cathedral Choir, Dr. Sandra Peter, 90-voice sophomore
touring choir
Collegiate Chorale, Dr. Andrew Last, 100-voice upperclass touring choir
Nordic Choir, Dr. Allen Hightower, upper-class touring
choir
Norsemen, Dr. Andrew Last, 90-voice first-year men’s
choir
Numerous student-led a cappella groups
Voice Study
Generous renewable scholarships
Vocal coaching
Courses in lyric diction and vocal literature
Fully staged spring opera production
Opera workshop
13 applied voice faculty
For more information about the Luther College vocal
program, visit http://music.luther.edu.
Optional
An Expression of Gratitude, David Schwoebel
7
Nordic Choir
N
ordic Choir, founded in 1946, enjoys national
and international acclaim as a premier collegiate
choral ensemble in the United States. Following the
57-year tenure of Weston Noble and Craig Arnold’s five years
as director of choral activities, Nordic is currently under the
direction of Dr. Allen Hightower, named director of choral
activities at Luther College in 2010.
8
at national American Choral Directors Association (ACDA)
conventions in Los Angeles, Salt Lake City, and Kansas City,
and at the Music Educators National Conference in Kansas
City, Mo. The choir was selected to perform at the 50th anniversary national convention of the ACDA in Oklahoma City,
March 2009.
Nordic Choir is Luther’s flagship choir in a choral program
that comprises three upper-class mixed touring choirs, two
first-year choirs, and a women’s choir. More than 500 singers
from these ensembles combine with Symphony Orchestra,
Luther Ringers, and pipe organ for five Christmas at Luther
performances each year. Christmas at Luther 2008, “Night of
Glory, Dawn of Peace,” and Christmas at Luther 2012, “Tidings
of Comfort and Joy,” were nationally broadcast as PBS holiday
specials. The 2008 broadcast won a regional Emmy for “Best
Special Event Coverage.”
Nordic Choir has made numerous concert tours of Europe,
the Caribbean, Mexico, Russia, and Eastern Europe. In 2000
and 2003, the choir revisited the college’s founding roots
with tours to Norway and Scandinavia. Nordic Choir was
featured in concert throughout France, Spain, and Italy in
May 2009. Most recently, Nordic Choir completed a tour
of Ireland and England in May 2012. Other notable
appearances for Nordic Choir include a performance of the
Mozart Requiem with the Minnesota Orchestra in 2001,
Chichester Psalms with the Des Moines Symphony in 2003,
and St. John Passion with Orchestra Iowa in 2012.
Nordic Choir has toured extensively throughout the United
States, performing in countless churches, schools, and concert
halls, including Lincoln Center, New York; Kennedy Center,
Washington, D.C.; Orchestra Hall, Chicago; Orchestra Hall
and the Historic State Theatre, Minneapolis; the Ordway
Music Theatre, St. Paul, Minn.; Walt Disney Concert Hall
and the Crystal Cathedral, Los Angeles; and the Mormon
Tabernacle, Salt Lake City. Nordic Choir has also appeared
Nordic Choir has also recorded extensively. Recent titles include Holy, Radiant Light (2012), Here I Am, Lord (2012), We
Sing with Joy (2010), In the Beginning (2009), Everlasting God
(2007), The Road Home (2006), and The Culmination of an
Extraordinary Career, reflecting Weston Noble’s final tour as
conductor. Nordic Choir performances are also included on
the CD and DVD of Christmas at Luther 2012 and the 2009,
2010, and 2011 Christmas at Luther CDs.
NOrdic Choir Personnel
Soprano I
Ariel Gauslow, Fargo, N.D.
music
Jenna Hoge, Wayzata, Minn.
independent interdisciplinary major:
persuasion and social change, English
writing minor
Bridget Keenan, Burnsville, Minn.
English and music, education minor
Valerie Krych, Champlin, Minn.
music, education and management
minors
*Hannah Myott, Minneapolis, Minn.
anthropology and German, music minor
Christine O’Brien, Western Springs, Ill.
music, English minor
Rachel Selvig, St. Michael, Minn.
anthropology and history, music minor
Kelsey Tarbert, Oshkosh, Wis.
music, education minor
Allison Vollinger, Hickory Hills, Ill.
music, education minor
Soprano II
Ellen Amundson, Golden Valley, Minn.
English and Scandinavian studies
Sophia Huang, Fishers, Ind.
music
Vanessa Libbey, Wauwatosa, Wis.
music
Mary Lieberman, Katy, Texas
music, education minor
*Erin Persick, Robins, Iowa
music
Lillianna Petsch-Horvath, Elkhorn, Wis.
sociology, Africana studies minor
Marissa Satern, Hiawatha, Iowa
biology, music minor
Sadie Stoiber, Muskego, Wis.
music, social welfare minor
Alto I
Karissa Crouse, North Branch, Minn.
English, education minor
*Emily Davis, Brookfield, Wis.
history and music, education minor
Hannah Delzer, Janesville, Wis.
elementary education and music
Holly Fusco, Indianola, Iowa
music and theatre/dance, education
minor
Andrea Keuper, Brookfield, Wis.
music, education minor
Amelia Kundel, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
biology, music minor
Brittney Leemon, McFarland, Wis.
music, management minor
Kelley Lokensgard, Eagan, Minn.
music, education minor
Katherine Ollman, Mason City, Iowa
music, education minor
Melani Schwartz, Plymouth, Minn.
music, education minor
Alto II
Mary Bissen, Austin, Minn.
music, education minor
Kelsey Brown, Urbandale, Iowa
music, education minor
Kelsi Holmes, Monticello, Iowa
music, education minor
Kari Jensen, Decorah, Iowa
psychology
Allison Kephart, Decorah, Iowa
music, education minor
Jessica Lowry, Minneapolis, Minn.
music, education minor
Marita May, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
music, management minor
Taylor Numedahl, Owatonna, Minn.
social work, Spanish minor
*Alexandra Nyman, Stillman Valley, Ill.
music and psychology
*Emily Streeper, Falcon Heights, Minn.
management, art minor
Sarah Webb, Spirit Lake, Iowa
anthropology and biology, chemistry
minor
Tenor I
Bradley Beale, Warrenville, Ill.
music, education minor
† Adam Bradley, Sioux Falls, S.D.
music, management minor
Patrick Fagan, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
music, education minor
*Bill Haugen, White Bear Lake, Minn.
political science, Spanish minor
Sam Jones, Des Moines, Iowa
music, English writing minor
Trevor Maloney, Cambridge, Minn.
music, history minor
James Odegaard, Hiawatha, Iowa
music
Nathan Wiley, Bondurant, Iowa
music
Tenor II
Alec Carlson, Red Oak, Iowa
music, management minor
*Benjamin Cramer, Brooklyn Center, Minn.
music
David Duba, Northfield, Minn.
computer science, psychology minor
Tyler Hagy, Muscatine, Iowa
music and theatre/dance, education
minor
Cole Melby, Cedar Falls, Iowa
anthropology, religion minor
Charlie Parrish-Siggelkow, Orr, Minn.
music, education minor
Tom Reimann, Cottage Grove, Minn.
chemistry
Scott Senko, Champlin, Minn.
music, education minor
Bryan Waznik, Menomonie, Wis.
music, education minor
Ben Wegner, St. Paul, Minn.
music, education minor
Bass I
Kalle Akkerman, Austin, Minn.
music
Jimmy Deignan, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
music, education minor
Ryan Fugleberg, Chisago City, Minn.
music, education minor
David Geist, Burnsville, Minn.
music
Steven Halloin, Eau Claire, Wis.
music, English writing minor
Ben King Quale, Lake Crystal, Minn.
music, education minor
Evan Mitchell, Melcher, Iowa
music
* † Chris Paulson, Medina, Minn.
music
*Tyler Reece, Glenwood Springs, Colo.
music
Alex Sievers, Hiawatha, Iowa
accounting, management minor
Tyler Simpson, Chatfield, Minn.
history and music
Bass II
David Baxter, Algona, Iowa
music, education minor
Colin Berry, Iowa City, Iowa
music, education minor
Dylan Carlson, Wayzata, Minn.
music
Thomas Gerber, Austin, Minn.
music, education minor
Daniel Gibson, Urbandale, Iowa
biology, chemistry and history minors
Lukas Hampton, Montevideo, Minn.
music, education minor
Dietrich Jessen, Lake Charles, La.
accounting, French and management
minors
Tim Komatsu, Northfield, Minn.
political science and theatre
Anders Nilsen, Gahanna, Ohio
psychology, music minor
*Stephen Uhl, Bensenville, Ill.
music
* † Shane Wilson, Owatonna, Minn.
mathematics
* section leader
† officer
9
In Pursuit of Excellence
N
ow in his third year of
conducting Nordic Choir,
Allen Hightower is settling in.
His Southern roots continue to peek
through—for instance, when he calls
J. S. Bach the granddaddy of Lutheran
church music—but he has a rapport
with the students of Luther College
that makes him very much at home in
his role as the fourth conductor of the
Nordic Choir. “I think what has continued to nurture
my sense of place has been the
deepening of relationships,” he reflects.
His quickness to adopt Nordic Choir
traditions—and to impart a few of his
own—certainly speeds up the process.
Prior to joining Luther as director
of choral activities, conductor of
Nordic Choir, and professor of music,
Hightower had been director of
choral studies at Sam Houston State,
his alma mater. A native Texan, he
was pleased by Luther’s interest. “To
ultimately entrust their choral tradition
to someone outside of the Lutheran
Norwegian tradition was maybe a big
step for Luther,” he says.
Hightower doesn’t take this lightly. “I
said to the students not too long ago,
‘We’re stewards of the
Lutheran choral tradition—
what does that mean?’
I think it means that we sing in as many
churches as concert halls. We sing in
churches, and I would want church
musicians around the country to be able
to see the Nordic Choir as a model for
what beautifully rendered sacred music
can sound like.”
While Nordic Choir may offer a model
of the Lutheran choral tradition,
the group is anything but typical. In
comparison with other choral programs,
Hightower says,
“The amount and the
intensity of nonmajors
participating in music at
Luther is remarkable.
We have hundreds and hundreds of
people at Luther who are studying
biology and math and education who
want to participate in music, and
I think somehow it brings a more
balanced and less self-centered focus
to the experience. Because they really
are there because of the love it, not
because of the necessity of it—it’s
not as though they’re there to fulfill
a requirement. They’re there to
sing because they realize it enriches
their lives in a tremendous way. And
therefore the output, the outpouring,
the vulnerability—all of those things
that they bring to the experience are
very enriching.”
Sharing that vulnerability is a tradition
in the Nordic Choir, particularly
through devotionals prior to each tour
performance. “For some, these are very
much a sharing of their spiritual walk,
and some are more comfortable sharing
other aspects of their journey,” he says.
“There are always lots of tears and
then we have to sort of sniff up and
go perform, but it creates this lovely
dynamic and vulnerability on the part of
the singers, as well as this deep bond—
we’re in this together.”
Hightower continues, “I have found
those to be very ennobling and very
meaningful as students have become
transparent and shared their heart and
become more vulnerable. And therefore
the whole act of music making is one of
trust: they trust me and I trust them and
they trust each other. And it is through
this trust that you can take risks and
really go some place musically—
transcendentally, if you will.”
In addition to learning Nordic traditions,
Hightower has imparted one of his own.
“I’ve begun kind of a new tradition of a
piece called An Expression of Gratitude,
which is part of our encore. The text is
from the first chapter of Philippians: ‘I
thank my God in all my remembrance
of you with every prayer of joy. . . .
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I thank my God for you.’ And the wonderful thing about this
text is that for those people who may not be in a place where
they have a relationship with God, there is still a component
of having journeyed with these people in the choir, and so
there’s this relationship and they are grateful to these people.
This will be the second year we’ve done it. These traditions
of having a piece or two that we keep with us as we tour also
starts to mean something to our audience and to our alums
who’ve sung them.”
Hightower is eager to recognize these kinds of connections,
between the choir and the audience and among the singers
themselves, which are intrinsic to Nordic. Along these lines,
another Nordic tradition that has impressed Hightower is
the spontaneous holding of hands. “I’ve never encountered
it before. Once the music’s memorized, the singers begin of
their own volition to start holding the hand of the person
next to them. Big ol’ burly boys, you know? It’s interesting:
you walk into any academic building these days and you
find more outlets for hand sanitizer than you do pencil
sharpeners. Really, we’re in that age, aren’t we? And yet
making this connection is a high priority for these students.
“For all the horror that is perpetrated on our society, all the
ugly, all the disappointment in youth, imagine coming to a
church and hearing a concert of kids—19, 20, 21 years old—
wearing choir robes, holding hands, and singing beautifully
about meaningful, eternal things. I think even beyond the
context of worshipping God, it is an encouragement to
people to see young people doing something of beauty and
of worth and, in a sense, giving. It gives people hope for our
future as a nation and a culture. It’s powerful.”
Recent Releases Available in the lobby
Luther College Nordic Choir
Allen Hightower, conductor
Holy, Radiant Light
is the second album
of Allen Hightower
conducting the
Nordic Choir of
Luther College. This
disc features great
songs from the
2012 Winter Tour of
Colorado and the
Midwest.
The Christmas at Luther 2012: Tidings of Comfort
and Joy CD and DVD feature choral and orchestral
pieces performed at the Christmas at Luther concerts
in December and broadcast nationwide on PBS. Both
feature Nordic Choir performing “A Spotless Rose” by
Paul Mealor.
2012
2012
Here I Am, Lord is the first album of Allen Hightower
conducting the Nordic Choir of Luther College.
Here I Am, Lord
Luther College Nordic Choir—Allen Hightower, conductor
Celebrate 150 Years with Luther College, recorded live
in April 2011, includes Haydn’s Lord Nelson Mass and
the world premiere of Luther Mass by Stephen Paulus.
You may also order these and other Luther recordings
online at www.lutherbookshop.com or by calling the
Luther Book Shop at 1-888-521-5039.
11
Music Faculty
GREGORY PETERSON ’83. D.M.A.,
University of Iowa. Department head, Organ,
Luther Ringers, College Organist.
EDWIN ANDERECK. D.M.A., University of
Cincinnati, College-Conservatory of Music.
Head of voice and opera, vocal literature.
HEATHER ARMSTRONG. D.M.A.,
Eastman School of Music. Oboe, theory,
double reeds methods.
ERIC ASHCRAFT. M.M., University of
Cincinnati, College-Conservatory of Music.
Voice, opera.
DANIEL BALDWIN. D.M.A., University
of Texas at Austin. Symphony Orchestra,
Chamber Orchestra, conducting.
ANN BENJAMIN. M.M., Indiana University.
Harp.
REBECCA BOEHM SHAFFER. D.M.A.,
University of Northern Colorado. Horn, brass
methods, ear training.
TOM BOURCIER. M.M., Western Michigan
University. Jazz Band, improvisation, Theatre/
Dance composition.
JASON BRITTON. Ph.D., University of
Oregon. Theory, ear training.
MARGARET BRITTON ’10. M.M.,
University of Texas at Austin. Theory, ear
training.
MICHAEL CHESHER. D.M., Indiana
University. Clarinet, saxophone, woodwind
methods.
CAROL HESTER. D.M., Florida State
University. Flute, flute methods.
ALLEN HIGHTOWER. D.M.A., University
of California, Long Beach. Director of Choral
Activities, Nordic Choir, conducting, choral
methods.
KRISTIN HIGHTOWER. D.M.A., University
of California, Long Beach. Voice.
XIAO HU. D.M.A., State University of New
York-Stony Brook. Piano, class piano.
DU HUANG. D.M.A., State University of
New York-Stony Brook. Piano, class piano.
HELEN JAMES. D.M.A., University of
Oregon. Bassoon.
BROOKE JOYCE. Ph.D., Princeton
University. Theory, composition, music
history, electronic music.
DAVID JUDISCH. D.M.A., University of
Iowa. Voice, vocal methods, Dorian Music
Camp director, opera. Professor emeritus
KAREN KANAKIS. D.M.A., University of
North Texas. Voice, opera.
MIKO KOMINAMI. M.M., The Juilliard
School. Piano, theory.
WILLIAM KUHLMAN. M.M., Syracuse
University. Professor emeritus.
ERIC KUTZ. D.M.A., The Juilliard School.
Cello, string methods.
BRENT DODSON. D.M.A., University of
Southern California. Trumpet, Varsity Band,
brass methods.
JACOB LASSETTER. D.M.A., University of
Cincinnati, College-Conservatory of Music.
Voice, opera.
JOAN deALBUQUERQUE. D.M.A.,
University of North Texas. Concert Band,
Wind and Percussion Ensemble, conducting.
ANDREW LAST ’97. D.M.A., University
of Nebraska-Lincoln. Collegiate Chorale,
Norsemen, voice, conducting.
AMY ENGELSDORFER. Ph.D., Indiana
University. Theory, ear training.
HANNAH LEFFLER. M.M., University of
Northern Iowa. Flute.
ROLF ERDAHL. D.M.A., Peabody
Conservatory. Double bass, string methods.
PETER LINGEN. Guitar, lute, classical guitar.
BILL FORDICE ’82. M.A., Northern Illinois
University; A.B.D., Boston University. Music
education.
RONALD FOX. D.M., Indiana University.
Professor Emeritus.
MICHAEL GEARY. M.A., University of
Iowa. Percussion, Percussion Ensemble,
percussion methods.
12
LYNNE HART. M.F.A., University of Iowa.
Saxophone.
LINDA MARTIN. M.A., University of
St. Thomas. Theory, ear training, Cantorei,
general music education.
SPENCER MARTIN. D.M.A., University of
Minnesota. Viola, conducting, Philharmonia.
MAURICE MONHARDT. Ph.D., University
of Iowa. Professor emeritus.
GARY MOSS. D.M.A., University of
Michigan. Voice, ear training.
JAMES GRIESHEIMER. Ph.D., Indiana
University. Music history.
WESTON NOBLE ’43. M.M., University of
Michigan. Professor emeritus.
JUAN TONY GUZMÁN ’90. Ph.D.,
Florida State University. Music education,
ethnomusicology, Jazz Orchestra.
FREDERICK NYLINE. M.A., University of
Minnesota. Professor emeritus.
MICHAEL O’BRIEN. Ph.D., University of
Texas, Austin. ACM-Mellon Post-Doctoral
Fellowship in Ethnomusicology.
JESSICA PAUL. D.M.A., University of
Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. Vocal coach,
collaborative arts.
SANDRA PETER. D.M.A., University of
Iowa. Aurora, Cathedral Choir, conducting.
BETH RAY WESTLUND ’89. D.M.A.,
University of Texas at Austin. Associate
Department head, voice, diction.
KATHRYN REED. M.A., University
of Michigan. Ear training, harpsichord,
Collegium Musicum.
AMBER RIGGENBACH. M.A., University
of Iowa. Piano.
BRAD SCHULTZ ’07. M.M., Emory
University. Organ, ear training.
MICHAEL SMITH. D.M.A., University of
Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. Low brass, brass
ensembles, brass methods.
STEVE SMITH ’95. M.M., University of
North Texas. Composition, electronic music.
GRAHAM STEEDS. D.M.A., University of
Minnesota. Trumpet.
JOHN F. STRAUSS. D.M.A., University of
Texas at Austin. Piano.
VIRGINIA STRAUSS. D.M.A., University of
Texas at Austin. Violin, advanced ear training,
counterpoint.
JONATHON STRUVE ’02. M.M.,
Northwestern University; A.B.D., University
of Iowa. Voice.
RICHARD TIRK. D.M.A., Michigan State
University. Trumpet, brass methods.
KYLIE TOOMER ’08. M.M., University of
North Texas. Voice.
TARN TRAVERS. M.M., Cleveland Institute
of Music. Violin, string methods.
ANDREW WANNIGMAN ’07. M.M., New
England Conservatory. Voice.
RACHEL WARE ’06. D.M.A., University of
Minnesota. Voice, music history.
MARJORIE WHARTON ’66. M.A., (French)
Tulane University; D.M.A., University of
Iowa. Piano, class piano.
ANDREW WHITFIELD. D.M.A., Louisiana
State University. Voice, opera.
SUSAN WILLIAMS. M.M., Indiana
University. Voice, class voice.
BENJAMIN YATES ’08. M.M., University of
Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. Low brass, brass
ensemble.
Music At Luther
M
artin Luther—our namesake—believed music to be
“one of the most magnificent and delightful presents
God has given us.” For over 130 years, Luther
students have been sharing this marvelous gift with audiences
across the country and around the globe.
Music/Arts Facilities
Music is much more than a gift, though. It’s an integral part
of the community of faith and the community of learning
on campus. The arts are fundamental to the liberal arts
experience at Luther; they help to define what it means to be
human. Here creative scholarship, personal growth, worship,
and social relations merge to create an understanding of the
wholeness of life.
The vibrancy of Luther’s music program is rooted in a balance
between the academic rigor of our acclaimed music major and
the numerous opportunities for study and performance by
students from all disciplines
across campus.
Jenson-Noble Hall of Music
325-seat recital hall
“Participating
in Nordic Choir
helps our students
grow not only as
musicians, but also
as people.”
The Luther campus is alive
with the sounds of six choirs,
three bands, three orchestras,
two jazz bands, and nearly
1,000 student musicians.
Our students participate
in large ensembles, facultycoached chamber groups,
—Rick Torgerson, President
private lessons, and master
classes. More than 300 music
majors study music theory/
ear training, history, education, composition, church music,
and performance. It all adds up to one of the largest collegiate
music programs in the world!
For more information about Luther’s music program, visit
the Luther College music website, http://music.luther.edu.
Luther College
Founded in 1861 by Norwegian immigrants, Luther College
provides its 2,500 students with a classic liberal arts education.
Center for Faith and Life
1,600-seat main hall, 200-seat recital hall
Luther offers more than 60 majors and preprofessional and
certificate programs leading to the bachelor of arts degree.
The college’s strong academic program includes internships,
professional semesters, and extensive study-abroad opportunities. Dedicated and talented faculty help Luther students
develop solid research, writing, and critical-thinking skills,
while the close-knit community imbues its members with a
service ethic.
The Phi Beta Kappa college is bolstered by its Lutheran
foundation, celebrated for its vibrant music and arts tradition, and enriched by its strong athletic program.
Center for the Arts
225-seat black-box theatre
13
Encouraging Support
O
n December 31, 2012,
Luther College celebrated
the successful completion of
The Sesquicentennial Fund, the five-year,
$50-million funding initiative surrounding the college’s 150th anniversary.
The Sesquicentennial Fund exceeded
its goal with nearly $57 million in
outright and deferred gifts from more
than 14,700 donors. Thanks to all who
generously invested in the mission and
students of Luther College! A series of
special events to celebrate the successful completion of The Sesquicentennial
Fund and honor the Torgerson presidency will be held throughout the country
this spring. Go to www.luther.edu/giving/
recognition/events for a complete listing.
Fully two-thirds ($33 million) of The
Sesquicentennial Fund was devoted to
endowment, and endowed scholarship
support (with a goal of $12.5 million)
was the largest single component of the
funding initiative. We are pleased to
announce that more than $21.9 million
was committed through outright and
deferred giving to scholarship endowment for students. Student scholarships
will remain at the forefront of Luther’s
ongoing fundraising efforts, along with
unrestricted support for the Annual
Fund.
Every year, nearly 9,000 alumni, parents, and friends support the Luther
College Annual Fund with gifts ranging
from $5 to $50,000. Each gift goes to
14
work as soon
as it’s received, in the
areas where
it is needed
most. This unrestricted giving provides
opportunities
for increased
student
scholarships,
improved
campus life,
updated technology, and
strengthened
academic and cocurricular programs.
With over $1.6 million raised each year,
the Annual Fund supports every student, professor, and staff member and
has an immediate and lasting impact on
the Luther community.
In addition to the need for ongoing
support of scholarship endowment and
the Annual Fund, and especially for
those who have a special fondness for
Luther’s music programs, the college is
also in the midst of a project to replace
and refurbish pianos in the Jenson
Noble Hall of Music. Over the years,
Luther’s music department has done a
masterful job of maintaining a fleet of
more than 100 pianos. On average, our
40 grand pianos and 59 uprights are
aging gracefully, but some instruments
now require refurbishment. Such rebuilding and refurbishment are typical
in the life of a
performance
and practice
piano, but also
exceptionally costly.
Last year,
Luther College invested
approximately
$135,000 in
rebuilding
and refurbishing its main
stage concert
Steinway and
purchasing baby grand pianos in the
student all-Steinway practice room
corridor. The New York Steinway grand
piano from the Noble Recital Hall is
also being completely rebuilt, thanks
to significant donor underwriting from
Weston Noble and his family. In the
coming three years, the college will be
replacing or rebuilding two more of
our teaching Steinway grand pianos
($40,000 each); purchasing five new
baby grands for student practice studios
($20,000 each); replacing six upright
pianos ($7,000 each), and purchasing
12 new adjustable benches ($700 each).
Overall this investment in Luther pianos totals more than $400,000, and approximately $235,000 is still needed to
bring our piano fleet to its best teaching
and practice condition.
As with all fund development efforts,
the success of Luther College depends
on the support of the many who
believe in Luther’s mission. We invite
your gifts and pledges toward student
scholarships, the Luther College Annual
Fund, the piano project, or any other
college project or program. As always,
your participation is what matters
most, and gifts of all sizes are gratefully
received. Contributions may be made
through current gifts, planned gifts, or
combinations of current and planned
gifts. For further information about giving opportunities in support of Luther
College, please contact the Development Office at (800) 225-8664 or visit
the http://giving.luther.edu website.
Luther College
S
ince 1861, Luther College has
placed its faith in a classic residential, liberal arts education.
We believe that providing a rigorous
academic program in the context of
a faith tradition prepares students for
more than successful careers. Luther
graduates have a sense of a larger
purpose—a sense that the “good life”
is one where they use their talents and
knowledge in service to others. Our
president, Richard Torgerson, puts it
this way: “It’s not just about prestige
and success. It’s about integrity, fulfillment, and knowing that what we do
is going to make the world a better
place.”
Luther’s liberal arts curriculum begins
with 180 full-time faculty who come
from the strongest graduate programs
in the United States and around the
world. They reflect the college’s ideals
as a Phi Beta Kappa institution—excellence every day in the liberal arts. With
expertise ranging from collaborative filtering (in computer science) to a fresh
interpretation of St. Patrick from Latin
(in classics) to biodegradable polyesters
(in chemistry), our faculty feel called
to be at a place where the attention is
on undergraduates. The college’s 12:1
student-faculty ratio makes it possible
for professors to know their students
well and become intellectual mentors
and guides. And because nearly all
faculty live within five miles of
campus, they make a life here, along
Luther has a strong tradition of engaged and experiential learning, most
notably in our study-abroad programs.
More than 70 percent of Luther
students will study abroad before
graduating, placing us among the top
10 baccalaureate colleges nationally
in the number of students studying
abroad each year. Many students travel
with Luther faculty during the college’s
January Term, a month-long intensive
course of study with programs on five
continents.
with students and colleagues. This creates a strong sense of community and
shared purpose on the Luther campus.
The sense of community at Luther is
enhanced by the college’s picturesque
location. Nestled in the bluff country
of northeast Iowa, Luther is a strong
and vibrant residential community
purposely set apart. Our 1,000-acre
campus includes frontage on the Upper
Iowa River, recreation trails, outdoor
research sites, and well-designed facilities dedicated to teaching and learning.
A new $20 million science laboratories
center has expanded opportunities for
collaborative research and learning.
We believe music is central to a liberal
arts education. As one of our conductors puts it, “Musical expression—
artistic expression—answers some of
our most fundamental needs as human
beings: the need to be creative, the
need for self-fulfillment, and the need
for self-expression, beauty, and meaningful existence.”
In the end a Luther education is about
transformation. We put our faith in a
strong liberal arts education, rich cocurricular programs, and the beauty found
in place and community. Students are
transformed by their four-year journey
at Luther and leave here ready to make
their mark in the world.
To learn more about us, visit www.
luther.edu or call 1-800-4 LUTHER.
15
Experience Luther
To arrange a campus visit,
call the Admissions Office
at 800-458-8437.
[email protected]
www.luther.edu
Luther College
700 College Drive
Decorah, Iowa 52101