AURORA - REPERTOIRE LIST - 1992-2013
Luther College, Decorah, Iowa
Dr. Sandra Peter, conductor
(updated August, 2013)
Aurora is one of six auditioned choral ensembles at Luther College in Decorah,
Iowa. Established in 1981, the group is comprised of first-year women, selected each fall
by audition. They perform on and off-campus for worship services, participate in the
annual Christmas at Luther concert and Dorian Vocal Festival, and present a spring
concert with the Norsemen, Luther’s choral ensemble for first-year men. The choir has
also participated in Luther performances of major choral/orchestral works, such as
Beethoven’s Mass in C major and Bach’s The Passion according to St. John.
Conducted by Dr. Sandra Peter for two decades (1992-2013), Aurora has performed at
five of the past eight North Central American Choral Directors Association conferences.
The ensemble is featured on an instructional DVD accompanying the book, Conducting
women’s choirs: strategies for success, published by GIA Publications in 2012. Aurora
recordings, Finding a voice (2006) and Using our voice (2010), are available through
iTunes, Amazon and Luther College.
Actively involved in the process of creating new music, Aurora has premiered works by
composers such as Libby Larsen, Ola Gjeilo, Jocelyn Hagen, Timothy Takach, Shawn
Kirchner, Kevin Jay Isaacs, Abbie Betinis, Gwyneth Walker, Mack Wilberg, Daniel
Kallman, Ben Allaway, Melba Williamson and Sandra Peter. The choir has been a
member of the ACDA Women’s Commissioning Consortium since 2009.
The word Aurora, Latin for dawn, represents the first light of day, or for these women,
the beginning of their college experience and journey as independent scholars.
Pike Kor was the name of this ensemble from the mid-1980s until the spring of 2008.
AURORA - 2012-13
Rise up, my love
Eleanor Daley
Shimmering
Ola Gjeilo
Let all the world in every corner sing
Sven Lekberg
Patapan
arr. Sandra Peter
Hodie Christus natus est
Agneta Sköld
Sanctus
Agneta Sköld
Dirait-on
Morten Lauridsen
I started out singing
Jocelyn Hagen
Carmel Highlands (premiere)
Daniel Kallman
ACDA Women’s Choir Consortium Commission
And I saw… (premiere)
Timothy Takach
Consortium of advanced women’s choirs; project initiated by Kathleen Rodde,
conductor of Cantemus, Iowa State University
With Norsemen
Lift up your heads
When in our music God is glorified
arr. Olaf C. Christiansen
arr. Harriet Ziegenhals
Special events:
Conducting Women’s Choirs: strategies for success was released by GIA Publications.
Aurora is the demonstration choir featured in a DVD chapter entitled Sandra Peter
participated in an interest session discussing the book at the 2013 ACDA national
conference in Dallas, TX.
Christmas at Luther was taped by Twin Cities Public Television and broadcast
nationally.
Aurora recorded background vocals for Peter Mayer; the track (“I heard the wind”) will
be included on his next album, Passages for passages.
The inaugural Timothy and Sandra Peter Leadership Awards were presented to one
member of Norsemen and one member of Aurora at the ensembles’ spring concert.
AURORA 2011-12
Mary speaks
Daniel Gawthrop
Eatnemen Vuelie (Fairest Lord Jesus)
Frode Fjellheim
O lux beatissima
Joan Szymko
Love came down at Christmas
Edwin Fissinger, arr. Mary Kay Geston
Puer qui natus est
Sulpitia Cesis
The Gartan Mother’s Lullaby
arr. Sandra Peter and Kathryn Lillich
Esimano olay He noly Omwana
Sakari Löytti, adapted for SSAA by SP
This is my Father’s world
Mike Paslay
O moon goddess (premiere)
Jocelyn Hagen
ACDA Women’s Choir Consortium Commission
Leshana Haba’a biYerushalayim (premiere) Hebrew folk song, arr. Shawn Kirchner
ACDA Women’s Choir Consortium Commission
With Norsemen:
Make me an instrument of thy peace
Ye shall have a song
Blue skies
Mary McDonald
Randall Thompson
Irving Berlin, arr. Melba Williamson
Special events:
Performance at the North Central American Choral Directors Association convention in
Madison, Wisconsin; February, 2012
Residency with Jocelyn Hagen on “Moon goddess,” April, 2012
Aurora recordings, Finding a voice and Using our voice are now available online
(iTunes, Amazon, Spotify).
AURORA – 2010-11
Lift thine eyes (Elijah)
Felix Mendelssohn
i thank you God
Gwyneth Walker
Sing a new song
Michael Mendoza
Ring out, wild bells!
Bradley Ellingboe
With Luther Ringers
Angels’ Carol
John Rutter
With Cantorei, LCSO
Linda Martin, conductor
Tundra (premiere)
Ola Gjeilo
ACDA Women’s Choir Consortium Commission
Gratias agimus tibi/Propter magnam
Antonio Vivaldi
(Gloria, RV 589)
Today, this spring
Libby Larsen
1. Today, this spring
2. She piped for us
3. If I can stop one beart from breaking
Were you there?
Arr. Melba Williamson, Sandra Peter
Trepute martela
Vaclovas Augustinas
With Norsemen:
Lift up your heads
Finale from The Gondoliers
arr. Olaf C. Christiansen
Gilbert and Sullivan
Special events:
Fall release of Using our voice compact disc
Spring video recording for an instructional DVD accompanying the book, Conducting
women’s choir: strategies for success, forthcoming by GIA Publications
AURORA – 2009-2010
In the time of Noah (from Three Alleluias)
Now I become myself
Steal away
O magnum mysterium
O come, o come, Emmanuel (premiere)
Alleluia
Kyrie
Mir lächelt kein Frühling
Friends
The Gartan Mother’s Lullaby (premiere)
Ezekiel saw de wheel
Amy Kucera
Gwyneth Walker
arr. James McKelvy
Guy Forbes
arr. Sandra Peter
Paul Basler
Agneta Skøld
Johannes Brahms
Bob Chilcott
arr. Kathryn Lillich, S. Peter
arr. J. David Moore
With Norsemen:
Make me an instrument of thy peace
When in our music God is glorified
Accentuate the positive (premiere)
Mary McDonald
arr. Harriet Ziegenhals
Johnny Mercer,
arr. Melba Williamson
Special events:
Joined the ACDA Women’s Choir Commissioning Consortium
AURORA – 2008-09
Tota pulchra es
Out of the morning
Let all the world in every corner sing
A Ceremony of Carols
As dew in Aprille
This little babe
Candlelight Carol
(with Cantorei)
DayBreak
Prayer for the gifts
Hoj, hura, hoj
Ubi caritas
Jack’s Valentine
America the beautiful
Music down in my soul
With Norsemen:
One faith, one hope, one Lord
Ye shall have a song
(The Peaceable Kingdom)
True Light
Maurice Duruflé
Daniel Hall
Daniel Kallman
Benjamin Britten
John Rutter
Stephen Paulus
Kinley Lange
Otmar Machá
Ola Gjeilo
Libby Larsen
Samuel Ward, arr. Nancy Grundahl
arr. Moses Hogan
Craig Courtney
Randall Thompson
Keith Hampton
Special events:
Christmas at Luther was taped by Twin Cities Public Television and broadcast
nationwide.
Aurora and Norsemen participated in a workshop with the Harlem Gospel Choir in
February.
Aurora completed recording tracks for their second CD, Using our voice.
PIKE KOR - 2007-08
Magnificat RV610
Will there really be a “morning?”
Esto les digo
Antonio Vivaldi
Craig Hella Johnson
Kinley Lange
Hail! Christmas day
Patapan (premiere)
O frondens virga (premiere)
Text by Hildegard von Bingen
The womanly song of God
With Norsemen:
Come, Thou fount of every blessing
Blue skies
Abbie Betinis
arr. Sandra Peter
Kevin Isaacs
Libby Larsen
arr. Paul Satre
Irving Berlin, arr. Melba Williamson
Special events:
Commissioned and premiered “O frondens virga” by Kevin Isaacs
Premiered the SSAA version of Abbie Betinis’ “Hail, Christmas Day!”
Performance at the North Central American Choral Directors Association convention in
Fargo, North Dakota; March, 2008
Changed name of ensemble to Aurora; spring, 2008
PIKE KOR - 2006-07
Things that never die
Mouth Music
A Psalm of praise
Love came down at Christmas
Tomorrow shall be my dancing day
Sarah (from Women of valor)
To joy
There will be rest
Prayer of the Norwegian child
Lee Dengler
arr. Dolores Keane/John Faulkner
Eleanor Daley
Edwin Fissinger, arr. Mary Kay Geston
John Rutter
Andrea Clearfield
Daniel Kallman
Daniel Kallman
Richard Kountz
With Norsemen:
Let Thy holy presence
Lord, listen to your children praying
Finale from The Gondoliers
Pavel Tschnesokoff
Ken Medema
Gilbert & Sullivan
With Norsemen, Nordic, Symphony Orchestra:
Mass in C major
Ludwig van Beethoven
With the Pike Kor/Norsemen 25th anniversary alumni choir:
I thank you God
Gwyneth Walker
I dream a world
Andre Thomas
Special events:
November---Performed with Ken Medema for Church Youth Sunday
February---Residency of Andrea Clearfield; sang “Sarah” when Andrea spoke for chapel
March---Performed Beethoven’s Mass in C major on campus and in the Twin Cities
April---Celebrated the 25th anniversary of Pike Kor/Norsemen at our spring concert
PIKE KOR - 2005-06
O come, let us sing
Überlebensgross
View me, Lord, a work of thine
Kyrie/Gloria
A Christmas alleluia
Maria Magdalena et altera Maria
Canticle to the spirit
Fruits of the selfless heart
Alleluia
The bike let loose
Now I become myself
Jack’s Valentine
My funny valentine
Egil Hovland
Stephen Hatfield
Jackson Berkey
Agneta Sköld
arr. Undine Smith Moore
Sulpitia Cesis
Eleanor Daley
Elizabeth Atkinson
Randall Thompson
Edie Hill
Gwyneth Walker
Libby Larsen
arr. Kirby Shaw
With Norsemen:
O filii et filiae
Clap your hands
Volckmar Leisring
George Gershwin
Special events:
Christmas at Luther was recorded by Iowa Public Television.
Performed for the Nobel Peace Prize Forum, hosted by Luther in March, 2006
Sunday services at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Faribault, MN and a joint concert
with choirs from Northfield Middle and High School (in their new school auditorium),
Northfield, MN; March, 2006
Fall, 2006 release of Pike Kor’s first CD: Finding a voice
PIKE KOR - 2004-05
Ubi caritas
Eleanor Daley
My God is a rock
arr. Daniel Kallman
Natus est Emmanuel
Libby Larsen
Commissioned for Pike Kor, Christmas at Luther 2004
The Moon of Wintertime
The Day of Hope
George Mabry
Carol Barnett
Commissioned by Augsburg College for the 2005 Nobel Peace Prize Forum
Dona nobis pacem
Laetamini et exultate
Were you there?
Mary Speaks
A young nun, singing (premiere)
Are You Sleeping, Brother John?
Giulio Caccini, arr. James A. Moore
Adriano Banchieri
arr. Melba Williamson & Sandra Peter
Daniel Gawthrop
Libby Larsen
arr. Jorma Panula
With Norsemen:
Rejoice in God
Prayer for peace
Gloria (from The Masque of Angels)
Finale from the Gondoliers
Heinrich Schütz, arr. Nancy Grundahl
David Cherwien
Dominick Argento
Gilbert & Sullivan
Special events;
Commissioned and premiered “Natus est Emmanuel” by Libby Larsen for Christmas at
Luther 2004; Libby worked with us during her October 28-29, 2004 residency at Luther
WomanVoice concert on February 13, 2005; several area women’s choirs will premiere
“The Day of Hope” by Carol Barnett; Central Lutheran Church, Minneapolis, MN
Worship service at Central Lutheran Church, Minneapolis
PIKE KOR - 2003-04
In the time of Noah (from Three Alleluias)
Love is a rain of diamonds
Lord, listen to your children
Canticle to the spirit
Angelus ad pastores
What sweeter music
Wondrous Love
Jack’s Valentine
Les Sirènes
In the Mood
Were you there
Laetamini et exultate
La Lluvia
Music down in my soul
Amy Kucera
Gwyneth Walker
Ken Medema, arr. Jack Schrader
Eleanor Daley
Sulpitia Cesis
Eleanor Daley
arr. Paul J. Christiansen
Libby Larsen
Lili Boulanger
Joe Garland, arr. Harry Simeone
arr. Melba Williamson & Sandra Peter
Adriano Bancheiri
Stephen Hatfield
Moses Hogan
With Norsemen:
Then we shall sing for joy
The water is wide
Bile them cabbage down
Bradley Ellingboe
arr. Rene Clausen
arr. Mack Wilberg
Special events:
Performance at the North Central American Choral Directors convention, Washington
Pavilion, Sioux Falls, SD; March 4, 2004
PIKE KOR - 2002-03
Lux aeterna
i thank you God
Set me as a seal
Lord, listen to your children
Angelus ad pastores ait
Come and Behold
Magnificat, RV 610
Pueri Hebraeorum
Day Song
My Funny Valentine
Love is a rain of diamonds
Z. Randall Stroope
Gwyneth Walker
René Clausen
Ken Medema, arr. Jack Schrader
Daniel Pinkham
arr. Sandra Peter
Antonio Vivaldi
Randall Thompson
Libby Larsen
arr. Kirby Shaw
Gwyneth Walker
With Norsemen:
Let Thy holy presence
Make me an instrument of Thy peace
Pavel Tschesnokoff
Mary McDonald
Special events:
Black dresses were purchased from Southeastern Apparel and worn for the first time at
the Christmas concerts. Pike Kor wore them throughout the year and will continue with
that style in the future. The cream robes are now retired.
Christmas at Luther was taped for Iowa Public Television and broadcast nationwide.
Tour (with Norsemen) to St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church, Mahtomedi, MN. We sang for
three worship services on Sunday, March 9, 2003.
The Magnificat, RV 610 by Vivaldi marks our first collaboration with an instrumental
ensemble for an extended work (15 minutes). At the spring concert, the String
Orchestra, Spencer Martin, conductor, joined us, with Kathryn Reed-Maxfield on
harpsichord.
PIKE KOR - 2001-02
Cantate Domino
In the Time of Noah (from Three Alleluias)
There is no rose
Ruth Watson Henderson
Amy Kucera
Z. Randall Stroope
Gloria in altissimis Dei
Canticle to the Spirit
Ave verum
Paremus nos, fideles
Shenandoah
Hoj, hura hoj
Lord, keep us steadfast in thy word
Ride On, King Jesus
Les Sirènes
Chiara Margarita Cozzolani
Eleanor Daley
Katherine Dienes
Isabella Leonarda
arr. William Lycan
Otmar Macha
arr. Kenneth Jennings
arr. Moses Hogan
Lili Boulanger
With Norsemen:
One Faith, One Hope, One Lord
Craig Courtney
O filii et filiae
Volckmar Leisring
The Sound of Music medley/sing-along (for DVF) Rodgers & Hammerstein
Special events:
Pike Kor/Norsemen sang for the second semester Opening Convocation.
Tour (with Norsemen) to St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church, Mahtomedi, MN. They sang
for about 4000 people that morning at three worship services.
Pike Kor and Cantorei (upperclass women’s choir) presented a chapel service together on
April 16.
PIKE KOR - 2000-01
Kirstina Rasmussen, conductor (Sandra Peter was on leave for the year)
Alleluia
Zion’s Walls
Ave verum corpus
As dew in Aprille, This little babe
(from Ceremony of Carols)
Hosanna
Fragments from the Mass
Adoramus te
To be sung on the water
Evening Song
Túrót ëszik a cigány (See the gipsies)
Ezekiel saw de wheel
With Norsemen:
It’s a grand night for singing
Jubilate Deo
Emma Lou Diemer
Aaron Copland, arr. Glen Koponen
Imant Raminsh
Benjamin Britten
David Conte
Emma Lou Diemer
Josef Rheinberger
Samuel Barber
Zoltan Kodaly
Zoltan Kodaly
arr. J. David Moore
Rodgers & Hammerstein
Dale Wood
Keep your lamps!
Andre Thomas
Norsemen was conducted by Michael Culloton during the spring semester, while Tim
Peter was on a sabbatical.
PIKE KOR - 1999-2000
Let All the World in Every Corner Sing
Sanctus
O come, let us sing (Psalm 95)
I Thank You God
Missa Brevis in D
Gloria - for Juletide
Sanctus - for NC-ACDA convention
complete - for spring concert
Daniel Kallman
André Caplet
Egil Hovland
Gwyneth Walker
Benjamin Britten
There is no rose
Today, This Spring
3. If I can stop one heart from breaking
Steal Away
Michael (world premiere)
Eleanor Daley
Libby Larsen
arr. James McKelvy
Matthew Erpelding (Luther ‘00)
With Norsemen:
O filii et filiae
Sanctus (from Mass)
Sanctus (from Requiem)
Sanctus (world premiere)
Sanctus (from Gospel Mass)
Chorales from The Passion according to St. John
Volckmar Leisring
Leonard Bernstein
Maurice Duruflé
György Orbán
Robert Ray
J. S. Bach
Special events:
Juletide was recorded and broadcast on Iowa Public Television and across the nation.
Performance at NC-ACDA regional convention, Madison, Wisconsin
Saturday, March 4, 2000 - with Norsemen and two choirs from Mpls.
Inauguration of President Richard Torgerson - April 15, 2000
The Passion according to Saint John by J. S. Bach - with Norsemen, Nordic Choir
PIKE KOR - 1998-99
Let All the World in Every Corner Sing
Friends
Psalm 121
Ave verum corpus
Virgines prudentes
Gladsome Light (in Russian)
Tota pulchra es
Mary Speaks
Mary Magdalena at the Tomb
Are You Sleeping, Brother John?
Punching the Dough
Inscription of Hope
Sven Lekberg
Bob Chilcott
Charles Callahan
Francis Poulenc
Jacob Handl
Pavel Chesnokov
Maurice Durufle
Daniel Gawthrop
Hugh Thomas
arr. Jorma Panula
arr. Alice Parker
Z. Randall Stroope
With Norsemen:
Carol to Beauty
Let Thy Holy Presence
Route 66
Let the People Praise Thee, O God
The Promise of Living (Tender Land)
James Mulholland
Pavel Tschesnokoff
Bobby Troup
William Mathias
Aaron Copland
Special Event:
Tour (with Norsemen) to Faith Lutheran Church, Clive, Iowa (concert and services)
The Pike Kor/Norsemen spring concert served as Sandra Peter’s qualifying recital for her
D.M.A. in choral conducting from the University of Iowa.
PIKE KOR - 1997-98
Sing a New Song
Poor Wayfaring Stranger
Hark, I Hear the Harps Eternal
O Regem coeli
Oh, the Savior's Comin', Hallelu!
O Come, Let Us Sing
Gloria (from Missa Brevis)
Adoramus te
We Sing to Spring
Life Has Loveliness to Sell
Michael Mendoza
arr. Lee Bratton
Alice Parker/Jim Rodde
Tomas de Luis Victoria
arr. Uzee Brown Jr.
Egil Hovland
Ron Jeffers
Johannes Brahms
Claude Debussy
James Mulholland
With Norsemen:
Praise Ye the Lord
Lord, Whose Love in Humble Service
Emma Lou Diemer
arr. Dan Kallman
Rejoice in the Lamb
Benjamin Britten
Special Events:
NC-ACDA Regional convention, Central Lutheran Church, Minneapolis (church event)
A Noble Celebration (mass choirs with Sir David Willcocks)
Rejoice Today with One Accord/O Praise God in His Holiness arr. Willcocks
PIKE KOR REPERTOIRE - 1996-97
Confitemini Domino
O viriditas digiti Dei
Columba aspexit
Set Me as a Seal
Refuge
Quiet Solitude
Ezekiel saw de Wheel
Are You Sleeping, Brother John?
Rise Up, My Love
Alleluia
Lift Up Your Heads
Wondrous Love
This is My Father's World
Instruments of Praise
Alessandro Constantini
Hildegard von Bingen
"
Rene Clausen
Libby Larsen
arr. Carl-Bertil Agnestig
arr. J. David Moore
arr. Jorma Panula
Eleanor Daley
Randall Thompson
Hugo Distler
Paul J. Christiansen
Mike Paslay
Allen Koepke
With Norsemen:
This is the Day
Come, I Pray Thee
Every Time I Feel the Spirit
Charles Callahan
Charles Callahan
arr. Dawson
Special Events:
Inauguration of President Jeffrey Baker - fall, 1996
Perform with Cecilia’s Circle (early music group); workshop with Janet Youngdahl
Tour (with Norsemen) to Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church, Apple Valley, MN
PIKE KOR REPERTOIRE - 1995-96
Psalm 100
Rene Clausen
Danny Boy
O Holy Lord
The Holly and the Ivy
Prayer of St. Francis
Kyrie
King of Glory, King of Peace
This Little Light of Mine
Hold On
Hotaru Koi
Os Justi
arr. Dede Duson
Peter Tschaikovsky
John Gardner
Imant Raminsh
Agneta Sköld
William Harris
arr. Marvin Curtis
arr. Clifton J. Noble Jr.
Ro Ogura
Eleanor Daley
With Norsemen:
One Faith, One Hope, One Lord
Finale to The Gondoliers
Craig Courtney
Gilbert & Sullivan
Special Events:
Juletide was recorded and broadcast on Iowa Public Television for the first time
Tour (with Norsemen) to St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church, Mahtomedi, MN
The Passion according to St. John
J. S. Bach
--performed the chorales with Norsemen
--Weston Noble, conductor; Nordic Choir, professional orchestra and soloists
PIKE KOR REPERTOIRE - 1994-95
Let All the World In Every Corner Sing
The Eyes of All Wait Upon Thee
Life Has Loveliness to Sell
Coventry Carol
Go Down, Moses
See the Gypsies
The Angels and the Shepherds
Laudate Dominum
Seek Ye the Lord
Prayer of St. Francis
How Excellent is Thy Name
Wondrous Love
Steal Away
Sven Lekberg
Robert Edward Smith
James Mulholland
arr. Howard Cable
Mark Hayes
Zoltan Kodaly
Zoltan Kodaly
Wolfgang Mozart
Knut Nystedt
Imant Raminsh
Audrey Snyder
Paul J. Christiansen
arr. James McKelvy
With Norsemen:
Give Me Jesus
arr. L.L. Fleming
Ride on, King Jesus
arr. L.L. Fleming
Special Events:
The Creation of the World (premiere)
Daniel Pinkham
---with the Philadelphia Brass; D. Pinkham present
Village Dances (with LC Chamber Orchestra)
Bela Bartok
PIKE KOR REPERTOIRE - 1993-94
The Second Song of Isaiah
Father, We Praise Thee
Glory to God
Ballad of Befana
Nigra Sum
Honor, Honor
Confitemini Domino
Tota pulchra es
Bow Down Thine Ear
Ave Maria
This is My Father’s World
Charles Callahan
arr. Carolyn Jennings
Rachmaninoff, arr. Oscar Overby
Kirke Mecham
Pablo Casals
arr. James Laster
A. Constantini
M. Durufle
Egil Hovland
Gustav Holst
Mike Paslay
With Norsemen:
Not For Tongues of Heaven’s Angels
Roy Hopp
Irving Berlin Medley - Got The Sun In the Morningarr. Melba Williamson
- Top Hat
- Blue Skies
A Choral Fanfare
Leland Sateren
O Creator, God of Glory
arr. Dan Kallman
PIKE KOR REPERTOIRE - 1992-93
Sanctus
Lift Thine Eyes
Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day
Suscepit Israel
Psalm 98
A Short Alleluia
Mary Speaks
Bought Locks
Two Love Songs
1. For Thy Sweet Love
Noel Goemanne
Felix Mendelssohn
John Rutter
J.S. Bach
Halsey Stevens
Irving Fine
Daniel Gawthrop
Peter Mennin
Robert H. Young
2. Sequel
My True Love Has My Heart
Ain’t-a That Good News
Wondrous Love
O Bone Jesu
Adoramus Te
Eugene Butler
arr. William Dawson
arr. Paul J. Christiansen
J. Brahms
J. Brahms
With Norsemen:
One Faith, One Hope, One Lord
Witness
Craig Courtney
arr. Jack Halloran