Established in 1981, Aurora is comprised of first year students who sing soprano and alto selected each fall by audition. The word Aurora, Latin for dawn, represents the first light of day, or for many of these singers, the beginning of their college experience and journey as independent scholars.
Aurora is conducted by Adrianna Tam.
Distinctions
Aurora has performed at several North Central American Choral Directors Association conferences. This ensemble has also premiered works by composers such as Libby Larsen, Ola Gjeilo, Jocelyn Hagen, Shawn Kirchner, Kevin Jay Isaacs, Abbie Betinis, Gwyneth Walker, Mack Wilberg, Daniel Kallman, Ben Allaway and Melba Williamson.
Prospective Students
Aurora meets three days a week, and is made up of sopranos and altos from the first-year class. Auditions for the ensemble take place every fall. Throughout the year Aurora participates in worship services, performs in the Family Weekend concert, participates in Christmas at Luther, the Dorian Vocal Festival, and presents a spring concert with the Norskkor, Luther’s choral ensemble for first-year tenors and basses.
Established in 1981, Norskkor is comprised of first-year students who sing tenor and bass selected each fall and spring by audition. The word Norskkor is a portmanteau of the words Norsk and Kor from the Norwegian language. This translates to “Norwegian Choir” Despite the name you don’t have to be Norwegian to audition for Norskkor!
Norskkor is conducted by Mark Potvin ’01.
Distinctions
Norskkor has performed at North Central American Choral Directors Association conferences and has been the guest of the Great Northern Union at the Collegiate Men’s Choral Festival in St. Paul, Minn.
Prospective Students
Norskkor meets three days a week, and is made up of tenors and basses from the first-year class. Auditions for the ensemble take place every fall. Throughout the year Norskkor participates in worship services, performs in the Family Weekend concert, participates in Christmas at Luther, the Dorian Vocal Festival, and presents a spring concert with the Aurora, Luther’s choral ensemble for first-year sopranos and altos.
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. Nordic Choir is Luther College’s principal choral ensemble.
Since 2017 Nordic Choir has been under the direction of Dr. Andrew Last ’97. Previous Nordic Choir conductors include Sigvart Steen (1946-48), Weston Noble ’43 (1948-2005), Craig Arnold (2005-10), and Allen Hightower (2010-16).
Longstanding traditions within the Nordic Choir include holding hands during performances, wearing sapphire blue velvet robes, and, since 1948, singing Pavel Chesnokov’s O Lord God as the signature benedictory.
Distinctions
In 2022 Nordic Choir was invited to perform at the Midwestern ACDA conference in Chicago, IL.
Prospective Students
Nordic Choir meets five days a week, and is made up of musicians from the Sophomore, Junior, and Senior Classes regardless of their study area. Auditions for the ensemble take place every fall. Throughout the year Nordic Choir hosts a variety of performances on-campus, including Luther’s annual Christmas at Luther concert. Nordic Choir also tours multiple times during the year at the regional, national, or international level. Click below to learn more about ensemble tours.
Cathedral Choir is one of five auditioned choirs at Luther College. The ensemble is comprised of select singers drawn mostly from the rich talent of the college’s sophomore class. Cathedral Choir participates actively in campus worship, in the Christmas at Luther concerts, and at special events and concerts during the academic year, including an annual spring tour.
Cathedral Choir is conducted by Mark Potvin ’01.
Active in the creation of new music, Cathedral has premiered choral works by Ola Gjeilo, Mack Wilberg, Daniel Kallman, Sir David Willcocks, Gwyneth Walker, Ben Allaway, Daniel Pinkham, Eric Whitacre, Stephen Paulus, Amy Engelsdorfer, Sandra Peter, and Jennaya Robison.
The ensemble also takes great pride in reintroducing landmark, small-scale masterworks to contemporary audiences and performing choral music from non-western traditions.
Distinctions
Cathedral Choir takes seriously its commitment to the larger Luther community. In the past year, the ensemble has collaborated with over 500 high school students in workshops and shared performances, engaged in multiple service projects to benefit residents of Decorah and Winneshiek County, and partnered with Minnesota Public Radio to produce the “Bring the Sing” community singing event in 2018.
Prospective Students
Cathedral Choir meets three days a week, and is made up of musicians from the sophomore class and all study areas. Auditions for the ensemble take place every fall. Throughout the year Cathedral Choir participates in worship services, performs in the Family Weekend concert, participates in Christmas at Luther, as well as traveling regionally once per year. Click below to learn more about ensemble tours.
The Luther College Collegiate Chorale is comprised of select junior and senior singers with auditions occurring at the start of each semester. The choir, featuring 90-100 mixed voices, performs sacred and secular choral works of a variety of periods and styles. Collegiate Chorale sings at chapel and Sunday worship services on campus, performs in the college’s annual Christmas at Luther celebration, and tours annually in the spring.
Collegiate Chorale is conducted by Adrianna Tam.
Collegiate Chorale has collaborated with Nordic Choir, Cathedral Choir, and the Luther College Symphony Orchestra to perform major choral/orchestral works such as Brahms’ A German Requiem, Haydn’s Lord Nelson Mass, Handel’s Messiah, and the premiere of Luther Mass by Stephen Paulus.
Beginning in the Fall of 2021, Collegiate Chorale is conducted by Dr. Adrianna Tam. Dr. Tam was named after an extensive national search and is excited to be joining the Luther community.
Distinctions
Collegiate Chorale has performed in concert with the American Symphony Orchestra at Lincoln Center’s Avery Fisher Hall, New York City, and with the Cedar Rapids (Iowa) and La Crosse (Wisconsin) symphony orchestras. The choir performed at a regional American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) convention in 2016 and at the national ACDA convention in 2017.
Prospective Students
Collegiate Chorale meets three days a week, and is made up of musicians from the junior and senior classes from all study areas. Auditions for the ensemble take place every fall. Throughout the year Collegiate Chorale participates in worship services, performs in the Family Weekend concert, participates in Christmas at Luther, as well as traveling regionally once per year. Click below to learn more about ensemble tours.
Find music from the Luther College Music Department on Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music!
Master your instrument by studying voice at Luther College! During your course of study you will learn about a wide range of repertoire, music theory, and proper technique for your instrument.
2022-2023 Choral Rosters
Aurora
Soprano I
Alissa Sinnwell, Waterloo IA
Ashlynn Thorsen, Oconomowoc WI
Cassie Rounds, West Des Moines IA
Catherine Briddell, Madison WI
Elli Ess, Waconia MN
Eva Stadtlander, Iowa City IA
Jordan Sehr, Iowa City IA
Lauran Schwake, Solon IA
Leah Elsner, Denver CO
Niamh Mee, St. Paul MN
Penelope Hansen, St. Paul MN
Sea Orme, Seattle WA
Sophia Chadima, Cedar Rapids IA
Stevie Herrera, Hancock IA
Taylor Lehman, Ankeny IA
Tara Ragini Jeremiah Rajanesan, Dohnavur India
Alto I
Alexander Brunner, Green Bay WI
Ava Bednarz, Mnneapolis MN
Bella Dassow, Hudson WI
Callie Pierce, Dodgeville WI
Josie Bergler, Utica MN
Julia Myers, Inner Grove Heights MN
Julia Weigle, St. Michael MN
Julia Wendt, Madison WI
Kylie Bakke, Urbandale IA
Lanei Vinson, Dumont IA
Leen Zaher, Sebline Lebanon
Mara Pankow, Decorah IA
Noella Petersen, Shoreview MN
Ruth Meehan, Iowa City IA
Shae Downing, Sioux City IA
Sheridan Wilson, Zumbrota MN
Soprano II
Abby Struble, Clinton IA
Abby Wood, New Albin IA
Anna Tauscher, Rochester MN
Cora Ellingworth, Waverly IA
Ellie Hoehne, Junction City WI
Grace Rosholt, Middleton WI
Karoline Tiu, Gilberts IL
Katherine Griffin, Wisconsin Dells WI
Leah Gardner, Urbandale IA
Madison Stiffler, Waconia MN
Malaika Hale, Littleton CO
Mari Mineck, Waukee IA
Paige Barker, Manly IA
Rylee Houser, Kalispell MT
Sonja Bell, Hudson WI
Thea Bentley, Hudson WI
Alto II
Arin Kyllo, Kenyon MN
Cammie Leer, Readstown WI
Edie Meehan, Northfield MN
Elizabeth Tapia Banuelos, Storm Lake IA
Gabby Herbold, Urbandale IA
Grace Patterson, Hazel Green WI
Kate Oelfke, Austin MN
Kelly Ristau, Preston MN
Maddy Morel, Mosinee WI
Maggie Hickman, Solon IA
Maggie Patten, Waukee IA
Naomi Kravitz, Glenview IL
Oliver Michael, Independence IA
Sarah Miller, Colo IA
Sonja Bloeser, Iowa City IA
Sophie Valley, Prairie du Chien WI
Zoe Rahberg, St. Paul MN
Norskkor
Tenor I
Andon Storey, Houston MN
Dylan Muhlbauer, Decorah IA
John Mattan, Monmouth IL
Karson Trujillo, Delano MN
Kieran Ulbee, Minneapolis MN
Mason Wisecup, Ankeny IA
William Schuman, Lincoln NE
Bass I
Carter Thompson, Fairfield IA
Charles Jetton, Coralville IA
Chase Staker, Marion IA
Drew Chamberlain, Decorah IA
Elliot Olson, Zumbrota MN
Gunnar Jacobson, St. Paul MN
Jacob Reister, Northfield MN
Neil Grube, Minneapolis MN
Samuel Scheffler, Lakeville MN
Supreme Paudel, Bhaktapur Nepal
Tenor II
Alex Fenoglio, Cedar Rapids IA
Alex Van Surksum, Sheldon IA
Benjamin Hilgers, Madison WI
Ethan Olson, Edina MN
Noah Bowers, Altoona IA
Peter Bumba, Frankfort IL
Ryan Dornfeld, Saint Michael MN
Taylor Folkerts, Waverly IA
Bass II
Carter Sommerness, Cottage Grove MN
Chance Carter, Ridgeway IA
Christian Montover, North Liberty IA
David Hebling, Freeport IL
David Meissner, Princeton MN
Garrett Kilgas, Brillion WI
Joseph Johnson, Maywood IL
Kevin Kretz, Fairfield IA
Kristian Stordalen, St. Paul MN
Simon McDonald, Northfield MN
Tollef Currell, St. Paul MN
Nordic Choir
Soprano I
Kitri Lindberg, Anoka MN
Jami Dietz, Plainfield IL
Madison Becthold, Des Moines IA
Alyssa Keller, Rochester MN
Alena Schuemann, Loveland CO
Tia Meyer, Mound MN
Emma Fauchier, Cedar Rapids IA
Asli Lawrence, Sellinsgrove PN
Alto I
Lilli Carlson, Houston MN
Anna Stenerson , Maple Grove MN
Rachel Meehan, Iowa City IA
Ali Pinto, Bolingbrook IL
Katelyn Siebert, Waconia MN
Madeline Young, Pymouth MN
Rachel Tully, La Crosse WI
Haley Jaeger, Cedar Falls IA
Tenor I
Bjorn Christ, Roseville MN
Patrick Carew, Garner IA
Matthew Kozemski, Geneseo IL
Sasha Tomasevich, Oakdale MN
Josh Kainz, St. Michael MN
Riley Vander Hart, Urbandale IA
Ryne Eyestone, North Liberty IA
Ethan Ebert, Mosinee WI
Bass I
Tyler Buhr, Menomonie WI
Jacob Klingsten, Waterford WI
Rhylan Peterson, Iowa City IA
Nathan Elsbernd, Mason City IA
Ethan Williams, Woodbury MN
Ethan Kunka , Great Falls MT
Noah Howe, Minnetonka MN
Sam Lubs, Cedar Falls IA
Soprano II
Maggie Callanan, Coralville IA
Gloria Nelson, Stewartville MN
Katherine Lawson, Cedar Falls IA
Jaime Bizarri, Geneseo IL
Kaitlyn Andrews, Naperville IL
Zoe Wood, Waukee IA
Ruby Langholz, Decorah IA
Abby Reis, Apple Valley MN
Alto II
Madelyn O’Brien, Cedar Rapids IA
Brenna Reiland, White Bear Lake MN
Alix Klein, Cedar Rapids IA
Sam Hermanson, Arden Hills MN
Anne Sedlacek, Oconomowoc WI
Sophia Smith, Minneapolis MN
Amber Olson, Zumbrota MN
Camryn Nelson, Maple Grove MN
Morgan Coy, Mantorville MN
Tenor II
Noah Woxland, Dodge Center MN
Thomas Harding, Naperville IL
Sam Sunderland, Iowa City IA
Drew Jaeger, Ashippun WI
Nicholas Drilling, Mound MN
Gabe Goeddeke, Minneapolis MN
Ani Chauhan, New Delhi India
Noah Woxland, Dodge Center MN
Kale Altman, Solon IA
Nathan Knautz, Batavia IL
Cirdan Klindworth, Roseville MN
Bass II
Noah Rouw, Cedar Falls IA
Evan Berth, Watertown WI
Eric Shaffer, Coralville IA
Spencer Gillian, Sartell MN
Ryan Holt, Brooklyn Park MN
Alex Karau, La Crosse WI
Brady Helget, Byron MN
Samuel Llamzon, Singapore
Seth Olson, Stillwater MN
Cathedral Choir
Soprano I
Claudia Larson, Golden Valley MN
Destiny Law, Indianapolis IN
Erin Daniels, Ottawa IL
Gracia Powell, Bellingham WA
Julia Weiner, Iowa City IA
Mara Anderson-Skelly, Lemont PA
Nikki Larson, Lakeville MN
Zoe Epple, Edina MN
Alto I
Alana Newell, Pecatonica IL
Anna Barbknecht, Eden Prarie MN
Avery Wrage, Waverly IA
Britta Elsbernd, Mason City IA
Carlie Prymek, Iowa City IA
Emily Kane, Spring Green WI
Katy Klein, Elgin MN
Marie Mullen, Creston IA
Regan Peter, Boone IA
Theresa Settle, Norwalk IA
Tenor
Cam Moll, Madison MI
Haakon Rustad, Northfield MN
Mason Irving, Iowa City IA
Ryan Hinderaker, Ames IA
Colin Battien, Cedar Rapids IA
Jack Moriarty, Waukee IA
Kai Stemm, Roseville MN
Mark Severtson, Ann Arbor MI
Owen Gruenwald, Ankeny IA
Bass I
Adam McDonald, Cold Spring MN
Cade Hawkins, Batavia IL
Chase Kmosena, Wasau WI
Christian Jensen, Madison WI
Grayson Gardner, Milo IA
Kressin Hartl, Cannon Falls MN
Matthew Smith, Decorah IA
Soren Johnson, Bozeman MT
Tyler Belanger, Geneseo IL
Soprano II
Abbey Meyers, Minneapolis MN
Abby Weidt, Hugo MN
Emily Hursh, St. Charles MN
Erica Schulte, Cedar Rapids Iowa
Gray Pitsenbarger, Shoreview MN
Hannah Roth, Rochester MN
Judy Rosland, Elmhurst IL
Madi Major, Golden CO
Skylar Janovsky, Pingree Grove IL
Kyah Olson-Sola, Northfield MN
Alto II
Ainsley Zahn, Farmington Hills MI
Andie Schrader, Bloomington MN
Bella Bamlett, Cambridge WI
Elise Trail-Johnson, St. Paul MN
Emily Hagen, Owatonna MN
Haylee Slotness, Shoreview MN
Josie Haugen, Stillwater MN
Ken/Kendall Clausen, Rochester MN
Solvei Christopherson, Northfield MN
Sonnet Mungyeh, Happy Valley OR
Bass II
Alex Wagner, Junction City WI
Finn Wallace, Eagan MN
Mitchell McManus, Cannon Falls MN
Nathan Shimon, Rockford IL
Owen Matzek, Hastings MN
Peter Toso, Rosemount MN
Sam Blomme, Cedar Rapids IA
Collegiate Chorale
Soprano I
Irelyn Baumberger, Evansville WI
Marina Beachy, Wellman IA
Lily Cressy, Woodbury MN
Newelle Dalton, Urbana IA
Maya Grocholski, Plymouth MN
Vicky Harris, Sun Prarie WI
Mckinley Leinweber, Union Grove WI
Marin Leone, Chanhassen MN
Isabelle Pippert, Inver Grove Heights MN
Ava Shively, La Crosse WI
Lily Smith, Decorah IA
Barbara Reed, Des Moines IA
Alto I
Spencer Cameron, Excelsior MN
Adria Ebersole, Kalona IA
Alice Feist, Roseville IA
Sammy Ferguson, Rapids City IL
Molly Graff, Holmen WI
Natosha Guldan, Wisconsin Rapids WI
Kjerstin Halverson, Woodbury MN
Kirstin Lunde, Kendall WI
Cassandra Norton, Lakeville MN
Asher Rebmann, Naperville IL
Ella Runestad, Northfield MN
Ella Swalley, Roseville MN
Elise Weier, Shakopee MN
Courtney Wendland, Luverne MN
Maya Winkel, Waterloo IA
Laura Wyre, Newton IA
Tam Ayers, Arlington Virginia
Kirstin Kribs, Mason Michigan
Laura Stefan, Norwalk IA
Brylee Christopher, Muscatine IA
Tenor
Francis Cichock, Rockford IL
Max Koeller, McGregor IA
Dre’ Withers, Rochester MN
Nathan Behrens, Falcon Heights MN
Matt Bell, Rosemount MN
Hayden Carlson, Decorah IA
Jarett Edwards, Kimball MN
Aaron Larson, Waconia MN
Kirby Masso, White Bear Lake MN
Bass I
Colton Baldus, Charles City IA
Joshua Hartl, Oskaloosa IA
Jacob Larson, Waconia MN
Jayson Peitzman, Grimes IA
Matt Snavely, Grayslake IL
H.K. Tan, Singapore
Milan Bartelt, Denver CO
Rob Clower, Grinnell IA
Ethan Nady, Nevada IA
Kaj SpencerBerg, Decorah IA
Soprano II
Gretchen Dwyer, Le Sueur MN
Betsy Gebhard, Minneapolis MN
Abby Zeeh, McGregor IA
Riley Bartlett, Clive IA
Annie Buresh, Kasson MN
Addie Craig, Maquoketa IA
Christina Dressler, Racine WI
Willa Eacret, Cedar Falls IA
Kristen Flathers, Clinton IA
Emma Forbes, Granger IA
Cassandra Magee, Fort Collins CO
Kiara Morten, Janesville WI
Olivia Rawlyk, Duluth MN
Julia Schleicher, St. Paul MN
Grace Whiting, St. Paul MN
Tallulah Campbell, Seattle WA
Alto II
Rachel Heinrich, Menomonie WI
Phoenix Bradley, White Bear Lake MN
Linny Briggs, Otsego MN
Channing Cade, Northfield MN
Kalista Farmer, Gypsum CO
Aislinn Geedey, Rock Island IL
Leslie Halverson, Waukon IA
Lani Himegarner, Madison WI
Linnea Johnson Nordqvist, Gothenburg Sweden
Jayna Kendell, Janesville WI
Olivia Luster, Janesville WI
Mary Osborne, Esko MN
Sela Rist, Rochester MN
Emma Rooney, Decorah IA
Mia Suzuki, Rochester MN
Emma Utrie, Green Bay WI
Emily Rubbelke, Rogers MN
Mia Irving, Coralville IA
Bass II
Rob Calderwood, Janesville WI
Jared Ellison, Kasson MN
Connor Fuzzey, Plymouth MN
Daniel Hunsberger, Rochester MN
Marshall Laidlaw, Red Wing MN
Christian Teigum, Madelia MN
Thomas Woodford, Emmetsburg IA
Jared Penshorn, Wayzata MN