The Luther College Symphony Orchestra, Luther’s largest and oldest orchestral ensemble, maintains an active rehearsal and performance schedule during the academic year, from early September to late May. Over eighty student musicians, representing a variety of academic disciplines, perform with Symphony Orchestra. Many members also sing in a choir, play in a band or jazz ensemble, and form small chamber groups. Symphony Orchestra is conducted by Daniel Baldwin.
Symphony Orchestra tours annually in the United States and every four years maintains a three-week residency in Vienna, Austria, with a final performance at the Konzerthaus or Musikverein. Domestic tours have included trips through the Pacific Northwest, the Great Plains States, the Southeast, and the Upper Midwest. The Symphony Orchestra’s next residency will take place in January 2023.
Distinctions
Symphony Orchestra takes great pride in performing new music on a regular basis. Since 2001, the orchestra has been pleased to present six world premiers. The orchestra also collaborates with the Luther College choirs in biennial performances of major choral-orchestral works and in the annual Christmas at Luther festival performances.
Prospective Students
Symphony Orchestra meets five days a week, and is made up of musicians from all class years and study areas. Auditions for the ensemble take place every fall. Throughout the year Symphony Orchestra performs a full-length fall concert, two full-length spring concerts, is featured at Christmas at Luther, and is included in the Homecoming and Commencement Weekend concerts. The orchestra also tours annually at the regional, national, or international level. Click below to learn more about ensemble tours.
The Chamber Orchestra specializes in repertoire for small orchestra and mixed chamber ensembles ranging from the Baroque era to the 21st century. In addition to its own concert schedule, Chamber Orchestra performs with the Luther College Opera Workshop.
Chamber Orchestra is conducted by Daniel Baldwin.
Prospective Students
Chamber Orchestra meets 3 days a week, and is made up of musicians from all class years and study areas, frequently including musicians who are also in Symphony Orchestra. Auditions for the ensemble take place every fall. Throughout the year Chamber Orchestra performs concerts on-campus, and frequently accompanies Luther’s Spring Opera Production.
The Luther College Philharmonia is a symphonic ensemble that performs regularly on campus in concert. Recent repertoire has included Beethoven’s Egmont and Coriolan Overtures, Copland’s An Outdoor Overture, Dvořák’s New World Symphony, and Ginastera’s Dances from Estancia. Faculty soloists are often featured on Philharmonia programs.
Philharmonia is directed by Spencer Martin
Prospective Students
Philharmonia meets 3 days a week, and is made up of musicians from all class years and study areas. Auditions for the ensemble take place every fall. Throughout the year Chamber Orchestra performs concerts on-campus.
Find music from the Luther College Music Department on Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music!
Master your instrument by studying strings 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.
Meet the Directors
2022-2023 Orchestral Rosters
Symphony Orchestra
Flute
Hannah Stoutner, Whitehall WI
Audrey(Hanson) Sorlien and Marilyn(Sorlien) Skatrud Chair
Anna Floden, Mason City IA
Leigh Hjelmseth, Bellingham WA
Oboe
Rob Clower, Grinnell IA
Anna (Kemp) and Russell Norris Chair
Richard C. and Joann M. Hemp Scholar
Britta Elsbernd, Mason City IA
Lily McGohan, Decorah IA
Clarinet
Ryan Hinderaker, Ames IA
CJ Lee, Lewiston MN
Sam Maston, Hudson MA
Kyle Pido, Rochester MN
Saxophone
Emily Fisher, Onalaska WI
Anders Peterson, Dassel MN
Carson Weichers, Waverly IA
Bassoon
Charlotte Appel, Lynnwood WA
Helen (Hoff) James Chair
Owen Matzek, Hastings MN
Horn
Kellen DeKok, Archer IA
Erik, Kari, Maren Engebretson Chair
Maggie Bruck, Solon IA
Isaiah Kahl, Humboldt IA
Renee Vorndran, Osceola WI
First Violin
Benjamin Gunsch, Rochester MN
Torgerson Concertmaster
Liam Edberg, Iowa City IA
Kirstin Kribs, Mason MI
Grace Rosholt, Middleton WI
Ethan Johnson, Oregon WI
Mary Osborne, Esko MN
Sophie Klein, Edina MN
Christina Rolf, River Falls WI
Marta Schonebaum, Faribault MN
Avery Hagstrom, Alexandria MN
Catherine Wedin, Lincoln NE
Noella Petersen, Shoreview MN
Viola
Jessica Trygstad, Sioux Falls SD
Andrea Nelson and Kathryn Nelson Chair
Kailin Jolstad, Anoka MN
Catherine Briddell, Madison WI
Malcolm Wildenberg, Billings MT
Jackson Geadelmann, Des Moines IA
Mason Abrahamson, Woodbury MN
Anastasia Davidson, Cedar Falls IA
Emma Olson, Alexandria MN
Double Bass
Malachi Rettmann, Madison WI
Colton Baldus, Charles City IA
Claudia Larson, Golden Valley MN
Lydia Swarney, Ottumwa IA
Kai Stemm, Roseville MN
Trumpet
Hannah Wren, Anthem AZ
Dr. Ronald and Carole Fox Chair
Mari Mineck, Waukee IA
Isaiah Nordine, Rochester MN
Trombone
Charlie Heinecke, Edina MN
Dorothy (Bonnell) and Russell Ziemer Chair
Eli Vorvick, Decorah IA
Bass Trombone
Tayler Folkerts, Waverly IA
Tuba
Mark Severtson, Ann Arbor MI
Harp
Jeanette Pelletier, Northfield MN
Taiyo Kakegawa-Fernandez, Eau Claire WI
Percussion
Tanner Olsen, Shakopee MN
Kerry Knodle Chair
Caleb Christiansen, Dubuque IA
Nicholas Drew, Saint Joseph MN
Siri Hokanson, Saint Paul MN
Sophia Kouay, St. Paul MN
Andrew Mantini, Brooklyn Park MN
Celesta
Tara Rajanesan, Dohnavur India
Second Violin
Emma Prostine, Cedar Rapids IA
Dorothy M. Ansett Chair
Eric Head, Fairmont MN
Ben Hilgers, Madison WI
Amy Webb, Waverly IA
Anna Ebnet, Buffalo MN
Kaitlyn Blackburn, Stacy MN
Kelly Kestner, Cedar Falls IA
Mari Linder, Northfield MN
L’Engle Charis-Carlson, Iowa City IA
Sophie Yakes, St Louis Park MN
Cello
Willa Eacret, Cedar Falls IA
Dorothy M. Ansett Chair
Nathan Behrens, Falcon Heights MN
William Coffey, La Crosse WI
Ryan Dornfeld, Saint Michael MN
Margaret Snyder, Bemidji MN
Nathan Shimon, Rockford IL
Lani Himegarner, Madison WI
Grace Stone, Andover MN
Lydia Gruenwald, Lombard IL
Lauren Gray, Cedar Rapids IA
Ruth Meehan, Iowa City IA
Ella Swalley, Roseville MN
Cassandra Magee, Fort Collins CO
Chamber Orchestra
Flute
Jenna Kleven, Albert Lea MN
Oboe
Rob Clower, Grinnell IA
Britta Elsbernd, Mason City IA
Clarinet
Anastasia Davidson, Cedar Falls IA
Olivia Brown, St. Louis Park MN
Bassoon
Spencer Ketterling, Rochester MN
Adam McDonald, Cold Spring MN
First Violin
Benjamin Gunsch, Rochester MN
Liam Edberg, Iowa City IA
Emma Prostine, Cedar Rapids IA
Eric Head, Fairmont MN
Viola
Jessica Trygstad, Sioux Falls SD
Malcolm Wildenberg, Billings MT
Mason Abrahamson, Woodbury MN
Horn
Renee Vorndran, Osceola WI
Mathea Diedrich, Windsor WI
Trumpet
Mari Mineck, Waukee IA
Grace Patterson, Hazel Green WI
Timpani
Sophia Kouay, St. Paul MN
Second Violin
Kirstin Kribs, Mason MI
Ethan Johnson, Oregon WI
Mary Osborne, Esko MN
Sophie Klein, Edina MN
Cello
Willa Eacret, Cedar Falls IA
Ryan Dornfeld, Saint Michael MN
Margaret Snyder, Bemidji MN
Lydia Gruenwald, Lombard IL
Double Bass
Malachi Rettmann, Madison WI
Philharmonia
Violin 1
Josie Meyer, Robbinsdale MN
Punk Zupfer, St. Paul MN
Riley Masica, Edina MN
Sonnet Mungyeh, Happy Valley OR
Violin 2
Hannah Tepley , Champlin MN
Rebecca Davis, Bettendorf IA
Scott Rust, Hudson WI
Marina Beachy, Wellman IA
Viola
Lily Smith, Decorah IA
Cello
Ella Heiks, Appleton WI
Erik Douglas Radke, Duluth MN
Macy Taylor, Albert Lea MN
Maya Winkel, Waterloo IA
Toby Carls, St. Paul MN