Nordic ChoirCraig Arnold, conductor

Winter Tour 20101

Music At Luther

Martin 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 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.

At Luther the campus is alive with the sounds of seven choirs, three bands, three orchestras, two jazz bands, and nearly 1,000 student musicians. Our students perform in large ensembles, faculty-coached chamber groups, private lessons, and master classes. More than 350 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 CollegeFounded in 1861 by Norwegian immigrants, Luther College provides its 2,500 students with a classic liberal arts education.

Luther offers more than 60 majors and pre-professional and certificate programs leading to the bachelor of arts degree. The college’s strong academic program includes internships, professional semesters, and extensive study-abroad opportu-nities. 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 tradi-tion, and enriched by its strong athletic program.

Jenson-Noble Hall of Music325-seat recital hall

Center for Faith and Life1,600-seat main hall, 200-seat recital hall

Center for the Arts225-seat black-box theatre

“Participating in Nordic Choir helps our students grow not only as musicians, but also as people.” —Rick Torgerson, President

Opposite page: Nordic Choir performs in St. Michaelskirche, Hof, Germany.

MusiC/Arts FACiLities

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WiNter 2010 AppeArANCes

sunday, January 17Saint Mark’s Episcopal CathedralSeattle, Washington

Monday, January 18Pacific Lutheran UniversityTacoma, Washington

tuesday, January 19Willamette UniversitySalem, Oregon

Wednesday, January 20First Presbyterian ChurchMedford, Oregon

Friday, January 22Grace Lutheran ChurchPalo Alto, California

saturday, January 23Ascension Lutheran ChurchThousand Oaks, California

sunday, January 24First United Methodist ChurchSan Diego, California

tuesday, January 26Red Hill Lutheran ChurchTustin, California

Wednesday, January 27Hope Lutheran ChurchPalm Desert, California

thursday, January 28Catalina Foothills High SchoolTucson, Arizona

Friday, January 29La Casa de Cristo Lutheran ChurchScottsdale, Arizona

saturday, January 30Prince of Peace Lutheran ChurchBrooklyn Park, Minnesota(Twin Cities)

sunday, January 31Zumbro Lutheran Church Rochester, Minnesota

saturday, February 20Mount Olive Lutheran ChurchWeston, Wisconsin

sunday, February 21Bethel Lutheran ChurchMadison, Wisconsin

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Jubilate DeoJames Fritschel (b. 1930)Alliance Music Publications, Inc., AMP 0705Sung in Latin

Shout with joy to God, all the earth,Sing ye a psalm to his name.Come, and hear, all ye that fear God,And I will tell you what great thingsthe Lord hath done for my soul.

unicornis CaptivaturOla Gjeilo (b. 1978)Walton Music, HL08501679 WW1400Sung in Latin

The text for this piece contains symbolic language representing the passion and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Composer Ola Gjeilo notes that he was inspired by its colorful and powerful symbolism, and the sheer drama, joy, and sense of triumph over evil that it exudes. This text was taken from a compliation of medieval chants called the Engelberg Codex, belonging to the Engelberg monastery in Switzerland and completed around 1400.

The Unicorn is captured,It’s presented to the royal courtIn the hunters’ snare;Creeping, it freed itself from the pole;Because it’s wounded, it heals itselfWith the viper’s venom.

Sing AlleluiaTo the dying lamb;Sing Alleluia,Cry AlleluiaTo the victorious Lion.

Life returns to the wounded PelicanAfter miserable deathIn its nest for the sins of the world.The Phoenix’s light is burnt out, The ancient sins of the world Are utterly consumed by flame.

The Hydra enters the crocodile,Deprives it of its entrails, kills it,And comes back alive.Three days longthe Lion slept till the KingAwakened it with a roar.

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Dr. CrAig ArNoLD Dr. Craig Arnold is director of choral activities, conduc-tor of Nordic Choir, and professor of music at Luther College. Arnold returns to Luther having served on its music faculty in the early 1980s. At that time, he founded the musical celebration which has since become Christmas at Luther, along with four of the college’s current vocal music ensembles.

Prior to his return to Luther, Arnold was music director of Manhattan Concert Productions and conductor of the New York City Chorale and Chamber Orchestra. He previously served as director of choral activities at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo and at Luther’s sister institution, Capital University in Columbus, Ohio. He has high school teaching experience from positions at Kennedy High School in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and Luverne (Minn.) Junior and Senior High School, and music ministry experience from serving on church staffs in Minnesota, Iowa, Ohio, and Michigan. Arnold continues to serve Manhattan Concert Productions as artistic director and chair.

Arnold’s education includes a doctorate in conducting from the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, N.Y.; a master’s degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign; and a bachelor’s degree from St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minn. He has served as guest lecturer at the St. Petersburg (Russia) Conservatory and has conducted choirs and orchestras at New York’s Carnegie Hall and Weill Recital Hall. He has also frequently appeared as guest conductor, clinician, and presenter in Japan, England, Scotland, Germany, France, Italy, Wales, Hong Kong, China, and Spain, as well as in Alaska, Colorado, New York, Minnesota, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, California, Texas, Michigan, Wisconsin, Wyoming, Florida, Nevada, North Carolina, Maryland, and Washington, D.C. He will serve as founding conductor of the United States Inter-Collegiate Chorale in 2010.

How great Are thy WondersGeorg Schumann (1866–1952)Ed. Paul Christiansen (1914–1997)Augsburg Publishing House, 1274

We sing with joy in our hearts to thee, O Lord.We sing praises to thy Name, O Most High.We sing of thy mercy, we sing of thy goodnessWe sing day and night of thy glorious truth.

We sing with joy in our hearts to thee, O Lord,We sing with joy of thy great works.We glorify thy name and wonders of thy hands, Lord.How great are thy wonders.

For the righteous man will flourish as a palm tree.He will grow like a cedar of Lebanon, yea,And when he grows old, he will still flourish and blossom,And he will proclaim thy kindness, O Lord.

We sing with joy in our hearts to thee, O Lord.We sing praises to thy Name, O Most High.We sing of thy mercy and thy great wonders.We will sing with joy to thee, our Savior.

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Alma redemptoris MaterOrlando di Lasso (1532–1594)Sung in Latin

Loving Mother of the Redeemer, who remains the gate by which we mortals enter heaven, and star of the sea, help your fallen people who strive to rise:You who gave birth, amazing nature, to your sacred Creator:Virgin prior and following, taking from the mouth of Gabriel;Have mercy on our sins.

sanctus (from Mass)Frank Martin (1890–1974)Bärenreiter-Verlag Karl Vötterle GmbH & Co., BA 5419Sung in Latin

Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of hosts.Heaven and earth are filled with your glory.Hosanna in the highest.Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.Hosanna in the highest.

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DoriAN FestivALs AND suMMer progrAMsLuther 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 Festival625 participants3 ensembles, including select Symphonic Band

Dorian Choral invitational FestivalMore than 450 participants

Dorian Keyboard FestivalMore than 150 participantsPiano, organ and harpsichord

Dorian orchestra FestivalMore than 200 participants3 ensembles, including select Chamber Orchestra

Dorian Junior and senior High summer CampsMore than 600 participants

Dorian vocal Festival1,250 participantsChoral and solo opportunities, including select

Chamber Choir

For information, contactJim Buzza, coordinatorDorian Music Camps, Luther College563.387.1389jimbuzza@luther.eduhttp://music.luther.edu

Hymn to st. Cecilia (movement 2)Benjamin Britten (1913–1976)Boosey & Hawkes, 19495

I cannot grow; I have no shadow To run away from, I only play.

I cannot err; there is no creatureWhom I belong to, whom I could wrong.

I am defeat, when it knows itCan now do nothing by suffering.

All you lived through, dancing because youNo longer need it for any deed.

I shall never be different. Love me.Blessed Cecilia, appear in visionsTo all musicians, appear and inspire:Translated Daughter, come down and startleComposing mortals with immortal fire.

Hymn to the eternal Flame (from to be Certain of the Dawn)

Stephen Paulus (b. 1949)Paulus Publications, SP 456

Every face is in you, every voice, every sorrow in you,Every pity, every love, every memory, woven into fire.

Every breath is in you, every cry, every longing in you,Every singing, every hope, every healing, woven into fire.

Every heart is in you, every tongue, every trembling in you,Every blessing, every soul, every shining, woven into fire.

praise to the LordArr. F. Melius Christiansen (1871–1955)Augsburg Publishing House, 0-8006-4504-9

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.

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 doIf 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.

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pArt iii

Awake o North Wind, (from Wedding Cantata)Daniel Pinkham (1923–2006)C.F. Peters Corporation, 66039

Awake, O north wind; and come, thou south;Blow upon my garden, that the spices may flow out,Let my beloved come into his garden, And eat his pleasant fruits.

serenade to Music (from the Merchant of venice)Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872–1958)Text by William Shakespeare (1564–1616)Oxford University Press, 978-0-19-336002-0

How sweet the moonlight sleeps upon this bank!Here will we sit and let the sounds of musicCreep in our ears: soft stillness and the nightBecome the touches of sweet harmony.

Look how the floor of heavenIs thick inlaid with patines of bright gold:There’s not the smallest orb that thou behold’stBut in his motion like an angel sings,Still quiring to the young-ey’d cherubins; Such harmony is in immortal souls;

But, whilst the muddy vesture of decayDoth grossly close it in, we cannot hear it.Come, ho! And wake Diana with a hymn:With sweetest touches pierce your mistress’ ear,And draw her home with music.

I am never merry when I hear sweet music.The reason is, your spirits are attentive:The man that hath no music in himself,Nor is not moved with concord of sweet sounds,Is fit for treasons, stratagems and spoils;The motions of his spirit are as dull as night,And his affections dark as Erebus;Let no such man be trusted.

Music! Hark! It is the music of the house.Methinks it sounds much sweeter than by day.Silence bestows that virtue on it,How many things by season season’d areTo their right praise and true perfection!Peace ho! The moon sleeps with Endymion,And would not be awak’d!

Soft stillness and the nightBecome the touches of sweet harmony.

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voCAL progrAMLuther College offers a wide variety of opportunities for vocal music participation for young, aspiring singers.

Choral ensemblesAurora, Dr. Sandra Peter, 100-voice first-year women’s

choirCantorei, Linda Martin, upper-class women’s choirCathedral Choir, Dr. Sandra Peter, 90-voice sophomore

touring choirCollegiate Chorale, Dr. Timothy Peter, 90-voice upper-

class touring choirNordic Choir, Dr. Craig Arnold, upper-class touring

choirNorsemen, Dr. Timothy Peter, 90-voice first-year men’s

choirVocal jazz ensembleNumerous student-led a cappella groups

voice studyGenerous renewable scholarshipsVocal coachingCourses in lyric diction and vocal literatureFully staged spring opera productionOpera workshop13 private voice faculty

For more information about the Luther College vocal program, visit http://music.luther.edu.

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immortal invisibleCraig Courtney (b. 1954)Beckenhorst Press, Inc., BP1827

Choir:Unto the King eternal, Unto the King immortal,Unto the King invisible, The only wise God,Be praise forever more.

Audience stand and join in singing:Immortal invisible, God only wise,In light in accessible hid from our eyes,Most blessed most glorious, The Ancient of Days,Almighty, victorious, Thy great name we praise.

Choir:In all life Thou givest to both great and small,In all life thou livest, The true life of all,We blossom and flourish as leaves on the tree,And wither and perish but not changeth Thee.

Choir and audience:Thou reignest in glory; Thou dwellest in light;Thine angels adore Thee, all veiling their sight;All praise, we would render; O help us to see,‘tis only the splendor of light hideth Thee.

Amen!

the Dying soldierAmerican folk songArr. Nigel Short

O Brother Green, O come to meFor I am shot and bleeding.Now I must die no more to seeMy wife and my dear children.

The fighting foe has hid me lowOn this cold ground to suffer,Stay brother stay and lay me awayAnd write my wife a letter.

O brother I am dying now,O I do die so easy,Surely death has lost its stingBecause I love my Jesus.

Go tell my wife she must not grieveGo kiss my little childrenFor they will call for me in vain,When I am gone into heaven.

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tour ProgrAM

LAurA FuLLer ‘10Cedar Rapids, Iowa English major (with secondary education) Music minor

Finding her own way: The youngest of four, Laura is the only one of her siblings to attend Luther, the only one not following dad (an endodontist) into the dental field, and the only one still singing.

on daily rehearsals: “It’s always work, but it’s always work that I look forward to. It’s the one thing I do every day, a fixture of my life here. To just be in a chair and be a musician for an hour, doing that one thing as well as you can, that’s a great thing.”

What she learned on Nordic Choir’s 2009 tour of the Mediterranean: That music transcends language and culture. “It was really interesting to watch people understand what we were singing—even through the language barrier, we were still able to connect.” She remembers especially a concert in Barcelona: “The doors to the hall were open as we sang and it was raining outside. People kept coming in to get out of the rain and then stayed. By the end, it was standing room only. They just walked into this experience—we didn’t have to work to make a connection; it was already happening.”

Not your typical college road trip: As an incoming student, Laura applied for and was granted a unique scholarship that promised to fund an educational experience of her own design. This summer she used the funds to visit sites in literary America: first in New England (Walden Pond, the homes of Emily Dickinson and Mark Twain, two Robert Frost farms, and more), then in northern Michigan (Ernest Hemingway’s stomping grounds). The Hemingway trip has inspired a senior project on travel writing, but Laura maintains the best part about the experience was the fact that it was truly learning for its own sake. “I didn’t have to worry about whether this would produce what other people wanted; I got to learn in the way learning should happen. I wanted to know, so I went and asked questions.”

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HermandadDorothy J. Papadakos (b. 1960)Text by Octavio Paz (1914–1998)Oxford University Press, 978-0-19-386999-8Sung in Spanish

I look up and I see the stars,And I read what is writtenWithout understandingI know I am written in this moment too,Somebody spells me out.

I am man.And the night is enormous.Little do I last, I look up,Up to the stars where I am written

I look up to the stars where I am written,Somebody spells me out in this very moment.

Alleluia!

o Lord godPaul Tschesnokoff (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 powerThou 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.

optionalLamb of God, Matthew EverettThere Is No Rose, Rene ClausenHow Can I Keep From Singing, arr. Taylor DavisEv’ry Time I Feel The Spirit, arr. William DawsonHungarian Rhapsody No.12, Franz Liszt, Du Huang, piano

ryAN DeigNAN ‘10 Cedar Rapids, Iowa Music education major, management minor

How he ended up at Luther: After graduating from Xavier High School in Cedar Rapids, Ryan began his first year of college at Notre Dame. While his interests were many and varied, music was always a central part of his life. And by the end of his first year, he realized he needed to be at a school where he could better pursue that passion. “Luther,” he says, “was really everything I wanted it to be.”

What he loves about Jenson-Noble Hall of Music: “I never really feel drained after a full day, I think in large part because of the community at Jenson-Noble, as well as the space itself. The atmosphere is incredibly warm and inviting. The main lobby is built very high, with skylights on the ceiling, creating a sense of openness. From professors to students, I’ve found the culture of Jenson-Noble to be sincerely welcoming. Despite the fact that building signifies a lot of hard work for me, I have no need to return to my dorm room during the day to catch a breather because Jenson-Noble makes me feel so centered and at ease.”

What surprised him about the Nordic experience: “The culture of musical excellence that’s set up is not hard to become a part of. The culture buoys you up—you improve so much just by joining the pace.”

What he does when he’s not singing: A lifelong tennis player, Ryan joined the Luther tennis team this fall. He also co-leads the Catholic Student Community,

organizing a weekly meeting to plan service events and monthly mass on campus, pray and study scripture, and discuss current events as they relate to the Catholic Church.

Why he appreciates Luther’s dedication to the liberal arts: “I never have wanted to put all my eggs in one basket. This whole concept of majoring in something is frustrating in itself for me. That’s why I love the concept of

the liberal arts. I enjoyed taking Russian history last year. It was hard, but I’m passionate about the Russian culture now that I know more about it. And I was able to connect that to music by writing a research paper on Russian Orthodox Church music—where O Lord God comes from.”

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Nordic choir

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 at national American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) conventions in Los Angeles, Salt Lake City, Kansas

Nordic 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, Nordic Choir is currently under the direction of Dr. Craig Arnold, named director of choral activities at Luther College in 2005.

Nordic Choir is Luther’s flagship choir in a choral program that comprises three upper-class mixed touring choirs, two first-year choirs, and an upper-class women’s choir. Over 550 singers from these ensembles combine with Symphony Orchestra, Brass and Percussion Ensemble, Luther Ringers, and pipe organ for five annual Christmas at Luther performances. Christmas at Luther 2008, “Night of Glory, Dawn of Peace,” was nationally broadcast as a PBS holiday special and won a regional Emmy for “Best Special Event Coverage.”

Nordic Choir has toured extensively throughout the United States,

soprano 1 Rachel Barkel, Hull, IowaLaura Davis, Austin, Minn.Emily Moore, Plymouth, Minn.Aliyah Richling, Stoddard, Wis.Madeline Smith, McGregor, Minn.Amy Streck, West Des Moines, IowaMaria Vejdani, Burnsville, Minn.Anne Walsh, Plymouth, Minn.Elizabeth Zimmermann, Watertown, Wis.

soprano 2Paige Armstrong, Owatonna, Minn.Laura Dietmeyer, Peachtree City, Ga.Jeanine Link, Davenport, IowaMallory Marlatt, Elgin, IowaKatherine Mehlhoff, Cedar Rapids, IowaKatherine Moan, Palos Park, Ill.Kelly Jo Roth, Rosemount, Minn.Kelsey Simpkins, Ames, IowaBethany Wichman, Appleton, Wis.

City, and Oklahoma City, and at the Music Educators National Conference in Kansas City, Mo.

Nordic Choir has made numerous concert tours of Europe, the Caribbean, Mexico, Russia, and Eastern Europe. During its 1994 tour of Russia and Eastern Europe, Nordic Choir performed in Tchaikovsky Hall, Moscow, and the Franz Liszt Academy, Budapest, and shared a concert in St. Petersburg’s Philharmonic Hall with the St. Petersburg Conservatory Choir.

Alto 1Hannah Berlin-Burns, Winona, Minn.Maggie Boland, Brainerd, Minn.Erin Brown, Newhall, IowaMackenzie Carlisle, Janesville, IowaKatie Deaver, Viroqua, Wis.Margaret Fons, Milwaukee, Wis.Haley Gibbons, Coon Valley, Wis.Karina Schnieders, Indianola, IowaLaura Schultz, Irvine, Calif.

Alto 2Laura Fuller, Cedar Rapids, IowaAndrea Hatleli, Rushford, Minn.Kirsten Jacobson, Platteville, Wis.Morgan Ketterling, Rochester, Minn.Melanie Massnick, Oconomowoc, Wis.Janell Magnusson, Springfield, Ill.Kara Morrissey, Sioux City, IowaAllyson Nilsen, Hampshire, Ill.Kristin Porter, Mason City, Iowa

tenor 1Adam Bogh, Coralville, IowaAlexander Bogh, Coralville, IowaRyan Deignan, Cedar Rapids, IowaSamuel Eaton, Crystal, Minn.Daniel Hanawalt, Waverly, IowaAndrew Hillertz, Bourbonnais, Ill.Zachary Lyon, Muscatine, IowaPaul Scholtz, Waverly, IowaJacob Watson, Waverly, Iowa

tenor 2Alex Anderson, Rothschild, Wis.Paul Atkins, Tea, S.D.Ross Bansen, Monmouth, Ore.John Carroll, Harlan, IowaErik Eliason, Northfield, Minn.Brian Gerike, Manchester, Mo.Alex Gisleson, Osage, IowaMichael Hart, Clive, IowaMichael Moran, Chippewa Falls, Wis.

PersoNNeL

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Bass 1Jesse Bunge, Garrison, IowaGary Danciu, Tinley Park, Ill.Matthew Drees, Iowa City, IowaBrett Epperson, Council Bluffs, IowaBenjamin Jackson, Fort Madison, IowaAndrew Kust, Brooklyn Park, Minn.Matthew Olson, Coon Rapids, Minn.Michael Penick, Iowa City, IowaNathaniel Raabe, Montgomery, Minn.Kristopher Ulrich, Oshkosh, Wis.

Bass 2Jordan Balk, Rothschild, Wis.Trevor Ketterling, Rochester, Minn.Jeffrey Knutson, Janesville, Wis.Erik Malmquist, Hampshire, Ill.Josef Olynyk, Seguin, TexasAlex Redding, Norwalk, IowaDavid Schmitt, West Allis, Wis.Karl Streufert, Lake City, IowaMatthew Stump, Goshen, Ind.Ariel Zink, Austin, Minn.

Nordic Choir returned to Russia and Eastern Europe in 1997 on a tour that included performances with the Moscow Chamber Orchestra.

In 2000 and 2003, the choir revisited the college’s roots with tours to Norway and Scandinavia. In 2006, Nordic Choir toured Europe with concerts in Italy, Austria, Germany, and the Czech Republic. Nordic Choir returns to Europe in May 2009 for performances in Spain, France, and Italy. Other notable appearances for Nordic Choir include a performance of the Mozart Requiem with the Minnesota Orchestra in 2001 and Chichester Psalms with the Des Moines Symphony in 2003.

Nordic Choir has also recorded extensively, releasing at least one CD per year. Recent titles include A New Hosanna (2009), In the Beginning (2008), 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 2008 and the 2006, 2007, and 2009 Christmas at Luther CDs.

reCeNt reLeAses Available in the lobby

The Christmas at Luther 2009 CD features choral and orchestral pieces performed at the 2009 Christmas at Luther concerts December 3–6.

A New Hosanna, Everlasting God, and In the Begin-ning feature the choral music of Nordic Choir, Luther’s flagship choral ensemble.

You may also order these and other recordings online at http://music.luther.edu or by calling the Book Shop at 1-888-521-5039.

Christmas at Luther 2009 CD

In the Beginning

A New Hosanna

Nordic Choir Conductors

1946–1948 ..........................Sigvart Steen ’231948–2005 .........................Weston Noble ’432005–present .....................Craig Arnold

Everlasting God

Faculty AccompanistDu Huang

organLindsey Palmer

trumpetJonathan Ailabouni

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the sesquiceNteNNiAL FuNd 2008–12

It’s 4:35 on a Tuesday afternoon, and Nordic Choir has just finished sight-reading a new piece. Director

Craig Arnold pulls out his stool and sits down. “Andrew, what do you know that I don’t know today?” A tenor in the back row clears his throat and a lively conversation ensues that touches on everything from philosophy to the image of God to finding one’s calling.

His singers call them “choirside chats” and they’re a regular part of rehearsals—something students not only look forward to, but depend on. “Rehearsal becomes a place where you can just go and release completely from the outside world,” says senior Kris Ulrich.

For Arnold, whose focus and attention to detail in rehearsal is legendary, these conversations are not casual asides, but instead crucial steps to attaining his ultimate goal for the ensemble—“good persons and good performance.”

“It’s not just about the nitty-gritty details of the piece for him,” explains alumna Mandy Inhofer. “It’s about getting to know us as people, too.”

In fact, two things define Arnold’s leadership: the uncompromising pursuit

of musical excellence and a whole-hearted dedication to the students who sing for him. “It wouldn’t be acceptable to me if it was only a commitment to the music,” he says. “It’s definitely commitment to the people. And frankly, if there’s commitment to the people, you’re going to hear it in musical outcomes—I believe that.”

So do his students. Inhofer explains it this way: “He is, in every sense of the word, a professional. Yet while he conducts rehearsals professionally, and gives you that caliber of musicianship, he’s also so approachable and person-able, and puts such an emphasis on community.”

“He weaves the musical process into our lives,” says senior Ryan Deignan. “He just really wants us to break down barriers with each other so that when

we make music it becomes a unified idea. It turns the musical process into an expression of life.”

Whether it’s fine-tuning a piece of music or advising a student, one thing is certain: Arnold is never satisfied with the status quo. “It’s excellence for the sake of excellence,” explains Inhofer. “If we have this capability, why wouldn’t we make it the best we possibly can?”

That’s a lesson Arnold is intentional about teaching his students. “My hope is that they find this pursuit of excellence spilling over into other activities in their life—details matter, and we don’t accept anything less than what we’re capable of achieving.”

In 2005 Arnold left a position as music director of Manhattan Concert Productions and conductor of the New York City Chorale and Chamber Orchestra to become conductor of the Luther College Nordic Choir. There are only a few such positions he would have considered, but the opportunity to return to Luther—where he spent time teaching and conducting in the early 1980s—and to “continue building on Luther’s legacy of choral excellence” was one he could not pass up. “When

Pursuit oF exceLLeNce

In May 2007 the Luther College Board of Regents endorsed the college’s newest strategic-planning effort—Luther College: Trans-formed by the Journey —a vision that will guide decision-making beyond Luther’s sesquicentennial in 2011.

The recommendations in this plan seek to accomplish the overall goal of transforming students’ lives. There are three strategic imperatives in the plan, and there is a correlating fund-raising initiative to help bring the goals of the plan to fruition. The Sesquicentennial Fund is a comprehensive five-year effort to raise $50 million.

strategic imperative i: Connecting Faith, Learning, and the Larger World ($16 million) Luther seeks to significantly undergird support for teaching and learning. We will invest in our faculty and staff by creating the en-dowed Fund for Transformational Teaching and Learning. Priorities include teaching and research fellowships, support for pre-tenure

sabbaticals, assessment workshops, professional development op-portunities, and further strengthening of distinctive programs like Paideia. Further investment in students’ lives will be made by cre-ating endowed scholarships for study-abroad to ensure all students have an opportunity for international travel. Independent and col-laborative research between students and faculty mentors through funded research fellowships is also central to this imperative.

strategic imperative ii: Connecting people, place, and the Luther experience ($27 million) Those who love Luther know that the college’s strong academic program, faith tradition, sense of community, and picturesque loca-tion create a unique and powerful learning experience. Investing in a quality education may be daunting; affordability will always be a factor for many families. Luther responds to this ever-present con-cern by setting forth an impressive new goal—to establish more than 300 new endowed scholarships. With nearly 500 scholarships already on the books at Luther College, this further investment in

“When it comes to collegiate choral music, Luther has a leadership position in the country.” —Craig Arnold, conductor

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The Sesquicentennial Fund builds upon the success of the Higher Calling Campaign, the largest campaign in the college’s history. Like the previous funding initiative, the goals of the Sesquicenten-nial Fund flow directly from the priorities voiced through broad-based collaborative thinking and strategic planning. Luther thanks the many people who came together to set the course for this next phase through the new strategic plan, Transformed by the Journey.

As with all funding initiatives, the success of the Sesquicentennial Fund will depend on the goodwill and philanthropic support of the many who love Luther College and believe in our mission. We invite you to join us on this journey.

For more information on giving to Luther College, call the Devel-opment Office at 800.225.8664 or visit the http://giving.luther.edu website.

endowment growth will significantly assist families in affording a Luther education. Also integral to connecting people and place is the all-important Annual Fund. Unrestricted giving, a hallmark of Luther’s institutional health, is a concrete investment in the lives of students.

strategic imperative iii: Connecting sustainability, stewardship, and global Citizenship ($7 million) Few problems confronting humanity are more pressing than how we interact with our physical environment. Luther College seeks to invest in renewable energy (wind, solar, and biomass) to save energy costs and reduce the college’s carbon footprint. We also seek to establish a Center for Sustainable Communities to serve as a catalyst for change and be an educational resource for the region. The center will integrate multiple aspects of a sustainable community—food, education, energy, business development, and entrepreneurship—while providing students of all ages with practi-cal learning experiences.

it comes to collegiate choral music, Luther has a leadership position in the country,” he explains.

As director of choral activities and professor of music, Arnold’s duties include serving as artistic director for Christmas at Luther (a musical celebration he founded during his previous tenure here), teaching conducting courses, and guest conduct-ing for festivals and honor choirs across the country. His day planner might indicate he’s pulled in many different directions, but for Arnold, it’s all about the same passion—“If you have an interest in promoting choral music, that interest translates whether it’s in the classroom or a festival setting. It’s just a greater opportunity to affect a broader horizon of people.”

Arnold is also passionate about touring. In the last three years, Nordic has sung in over 30 states and four different countries. “I get excited with the smell of bus fumes,” he says (and smiles). And, given an opportunity to grumble about the logistical challenges of

traveling across the country with 70-some college students, he simply says, “There’s nothing I dislike about touring. That’s the truth. I love to tour. I love the opportunity to spend this time with students off campus where we can truly focus on the community of music-makers in Nordic, and then to share this labor and this sense of personal connection with the many communities we visit. It’s fun to watch students grow in their connection with one another and their connection with the music.”

Even on the tour bus, however, Arnold isn’t satisfied to just let things ride. In fact, he’s been known to walk up and down the bus aisle, rolled magazine in

hand, bopping students on the head if he hears them use the word “like” inappropriately in conversation. It’s all about making things better—and the students are clear about his motivation: “He can be tough on us, and we know he’s being tough,” says Deignan, “but I never second-guess his good intentions.”

“I have been so impressed by the good nature and good talent of our students,” says

Arnold. “I often tell prospective students that this is a community of students that is very supportive of one another, and I have found them wonderfully supportive of me. There is a lovely character of cooperation on the Luther campus.”

And for Arnold, that “character of cooperation” is at the heart of what makes Nordic great. “It’s the strength of shared voices with a purpose of one, the presence of God in the process, and the collective personal and musical talents of this community,” he explains. “In short, beautiful music by talented, caring people.”

11

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.

CRAIG ARNOLD. D.M.A., Eastman School of Music. Director of choral activities, choral methods, conducting, Nordic Choir.

ERIC ASHCRAFT. M.M., University of Cincinnati, College-Conservatory of Music. Voice.

DANIEL BALDWIN. D.M.A., University of Texas at Austin. Conducting, Symphony Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra.

ANN BENJAMIN. M.M., Indiana University. Harp.

REBECCA BOEHM SHAFFER. D.M.A., University of Northern Colorado. Horn, brass methods.

TOM BOURCIER. M.M., Western Michigan University. Jazz Band, improvisation, theatre/dance composition.

JASON BRITTON. Ph.D., University of Oregon. Theory, ear training.

ROSEMARY BRUMBELOW. B.M., Middle Tennessee State University. Clarinet.

BARTLETT BUTLER. Ph.D., University of Illinois. Professor emeritus.

MICHAEL CHESHER. D.M., Indiana University. Clarinet, saxophone, woodwind methods.

DENNIS L. DARLING. Ed.D., University of Illinois. Music education.

AMY ENGELSDORFER. M.M., University of Kentucky; A.B.D., Indiana University. Theory, ear training.

ROLF ERDAHL. D.M.A., Peabody Conservatory. Double bass, string methods.

SUZANNE ERNST. Flute choir, recorder consort.

RONALD FOX. D.M., Indiana University. Professor emeritus.

JUBAL FULKS. D.M.A., State University of New York–Stony Brook. Violin.

MICHAEL GEARY. M.A., A.B.D., University of Iowa. Percussion, Percussion Ensemble, percussion methods.

DAVID GREEDY. M.M., Eastman School of Music. Professor emeritus.

JAMES GRIESHEIMER. Ph.D., Indiana University. Music history, music appreciation.

JUAN TONY GUZMÁN. Ph.D., Florida State University. Music education, ethnomusicology, Jazz Orchestra.

GRANT HARVILLE. M.M., University of Michigan. Tuba, euphonium, brass ensemble.

CAROL HESTER. D.M., Florida State University. Flute, flute methods.

HARRY HINDSON. D.M.A., University of Wisconsin–Madison. Saxophone.

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.

KAREN KANAKIS. D.M.A., University of North Texas. Voice, opera.

KRISTIN KENNING. M.M., A.B.D., University of Minnesota. Voice.

MIKO KOMINAMI. M.M., Juilliard School. Piano, theory.

JUSTIN KRAWITZ. M.M., University of Cape Town. Piano.

WILLIAM KUHLMAN. M.M., Syracuse University. Professor emeritus.

ERIC KUTZ. D.M.A., Juilliard School. Cello, string methods.

JACOB LASSETTER. D.M.A., University of Cincinnati, College-Conservatory of Music. Voice.

PETER LINGEN. Guitar, lute, class guitar.

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.

WESTON NOBLE. M.M., University of Michigan. Professor emeritus.

FREDERICK NYLINE. M.A., University of Minnesota. Concert Band, Varsity Band, Wind and Percussion Ensemble, conducting.

JESSICA PAUL. D.M.A., University of Illinois. Vocal coach, collaborative arts.

SANDRA PETER. D.M.A., University of Iowa. Conducting, Aurora, Cathedral Choir.

TIMOTHY PETER. D.M.A., University of Arizona. Department head, Collegiate Chorale, Norsemen.

GREGORY PETERSON. D.M.A., University of Iowa. Organ, church music, Chapel Choir, Luther Ringers, college organist.

KATHRYN REED-MAXFIELD. M.A., University of Michigan. 2009–10 Nottingham Program director.

BETH RAY WESTLUND. D.M.A., University of Texas at Austin. Voice, diction.

GABRIEL SHUFORD. D.M.A., State University of New York–Stony Brook. Ear training, harpsichord, class piano, Collegium Musicum.

MICHAEL SMITH. D.M.A., University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. Low brass, brass ensembles, brass methods.

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. M.M., Northwestern University; A.B.D., University of Iowa. Voice.

RICHARD TIRK. D.M.A., Michigan State University. Trumpet.

LAUREN VARLEY. M.M., San Francisco Conservatory of Music. Trumpet.

RACHEL WARE. M.M., University of Minnesota. Voice.

MARJORIE WHARTON. M.A. (French), Tulane University; D.M.A., University of Iowa. Piano, class piano, French.

ANDREW WHITFIELD. D.M.A., Louisiana State University. Voice, opera workshop.

SUSAN WILLIAMS. M.M., Indiana University. Voice, class voice.

Music FAcuLty

12

Luther coLLege

campus, they make a life here, along with students and colleagues. This cre-ates 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 facili-ties dedicated to teaching and learning. A new $20 million science laboratories center has expanded opportunities for collaborative research and learning.Luther has a strong tradition of en-

gaged and experiential learning, most notably our study-abroad programs. Nearly 70 percent of Luther students will study abroad before graduating, placing us among the top 20 baccalau-reate colleges nationally in the number of students studying abroad each year. Many students travel with Luther fac-ulty during the college’s January Term, a month-long intensive course of study with programs on five continents.

We believe music is central to a liberal arts education. As one of our conduc-tors 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 mean-ingful existence.”

In the end a Luther education is about transformation. We put our faith in a strong liberal arts education, rich cocur-ricular 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.

Since 1861, Luther College has placed its faith in a classic resi-dential, 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, fulfill-ment, and knowing that what we do is going to make the world a better place.”

Luther’s liberal arts curriculum begins with 178 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—excel-lence every day in the liberal arts. With expertise ranging from collaborative fil-tering (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

exPerieNce Luther

to arrange a campus visit, call the Admissions office at 800.458.8437.

admissions@luther.edu

www.luther.edu

Luther College700 College DriveDecorah, iowa 52101