Andrew Last
Director of Choral Activities
Nordic Choir
Biography
Education: D.M.A., Choral Conducting, University of Nebraska-Lincoln School of Music, 2012; M.M., Choral Conducting, Northern Arizona University, 2004; B.A., Music Education, K-12 Vocal, Luther College, 1997
Dr. Andrew Last is an Associate Professor of Music at Luther College where he conducts the Nordic Choir and teaches conducting. He also serves as the Director of Choral Activities at Luther and as Director of Dorian Summer Camps. Dr. Last is part of a vibrant choral program at Luther College that includes four choral faculty and over 500 singers in six choral ensembles. Luther choirs participate in the annual Christmas at Luther celebration, perform in biennial oratorios, and are featured at regional and national American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) conventions.
Prior to his appointment, Last served on the voice faculty of Concordia University (NE). Last holds a DMA in choral conducting from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln where he was named a Hixon-Lied Fellow. He received his Master of Music from Northern Arizona University and his Bachelor of Arts in music education and voice from Luther College. Dr. Last is a member of the music honor society Pi Kappa Lambda and the academic honor society of Phi Kappa Phi. His high school teaching experience includes positions at Xavier High School in Cedar Rapids, Iowa and Tipton High School in Tipton, Iowa.
A frequent clinician and guest conductor around the United States and abroad (leading choirs in Namibia, South Africa, and Guam), Last is a member of the American Choral Directors Association.
MUS 245 Choral Singing in Namibia and South Africa
Choral Singing in Namibia and South Africa is a travel course that promotes intercultural exchange through music. Music from the western tradition is learned and presented along with learning and presenting traditional Namibian and South African music in local languages. This takes place in church services, through choral exchanges and concerts, and in schools, hospitals and informal settings. Students also learn about the history of Namibia, its fight for independence and the anti-apartheid movement in South Africa through visits to sites of cultural and historic importance. Offered every four years during January term.
MUS 250 Introduction to Conducting
A study of fundamental gesture, technique, and score preparation. Additional focus is given to oral communication and writing related to the art of conducting and self-evaluation.
MUED 351 Advanced Conducting:Choral
A detailed study of rehearsal techniques, musical components and conducting expressiveness and effectiveness related to a choral rehearsal. Additional attention is given to a general choral repertoire survey and written self-evaluations. Strongly recommended for vocal performance music majors and required for vocal music education majors.
MUS 300 Nordic Choir:
Nordic Choir, founded in 1946, enjoys national and international stature as one of the premier collegiate choral ensembles in the United States. Acclaimed for the way it honors the Lutheran choral tradition while also featuring new and innovative choral works, the choir showcases versatility, artistry, and technical mastery across many genres of music.
- D.M.A., Choral Conducting, University of Nebraska-Lincoln School of Music, 2012
- M.M., Choral Conducting, Northern Arizona University, 2004
- B.A., Music Education, K-12 Vocal, Luther College, 1997