Studying Keyboard at Luther College
Luther College welcomes all keyboard students, regardless of their disciplinary major, who wish to take lessons on a keyboard instrument at the collegiate level. Pianists, organists, and harpsichordists at Luther have the chance to improve their skills through a variety of learning environments; including applied lessons, studio seminars, masterclasses, collaborative keyboard opportunities, chamber music, and performance in a wide variety of settings.
The Luther College keyboard faculty are dedicated and experienced professionals with wide experience as artist-teachers, performers and published scholars.
Program Highlights
- Generous renewable scholarships for both music majors and nonmajors
- Weekly lessons and studio seminars
- Recitals by faculty and distinguished guest artists
- Master classes
- Solo, chamber, and collaborative opportunities
- Outstanding instruments supported by a keyboard technician
- State-of-the-art performance facilities and practice spaces
- Travel and study abroad opportunities
- Focused study in a liberal arts environment
- Personalized attention
Luther College owns 95 pianos, and it is one of the finest piano collections in the Midwest. It comprises twenty-three Steinway grand pianos, twenty-eight other grand pianos, and forty-four upright pianos (more than half of which are new). The college also has an impressive collection of pipe organs available for performance and practice, as well as two harpsichords, and one fortepiano.
Luther College has one of the largest and most productive music departments in the country, and our collaborative pianists – our accompanists – are vital to the artistic activities of Luther’s students and teachers.
For Luther students interested in utilizing and developing their skills in the collaborative arts, there are a wide variety of opportunities available including:
- Accompanying vocal and instrumental soloists in a variety of performance venues, including formal recitals, seminars, competitions, and masterclasses
- Playing under a conductor in one of Luther’s choral or instrumental ensembles
- Rehearsing and performing for opera scene programs and fully-staged opera productions
- Participating in chamber music ensembles
- Playing for weekly studio seminars.
Pianists may receive comprehensive training in the Collaborative Arts through the Vocal and Instrumental Accompanying class (spring semester) and possibly continue with more concentrated private study.
Our advanced sophomore and junior collaborative pianists are encouraged to compete in the annual Distinction in Collaborative Keyboard Scholarship Competition, held in the spring of each school year.
Many of our collaborative pianists have gone on to have successful careers as collaborative performers, vocal coaches, conductors, and teachers.
For more information, contact Professor Nicholas Shaneyfelt, Assistant Professor of Music on our faculty.
Meet Our Keyboard Faculty
What You’ll Learn
At Luther, you’ll be able to experience piano, organ, harpsichord, collaborative arts, and chamber music instruction within the context of a friendly and engaging liberal arts environment. Our international faculty are active performers and scholars, deeply committed to teaching the next generation of talented musicians.
With the recent completion of a nearly half million-dollar Piano Improvement Project, Luther piano students have access to 18 grand pianos in student practice rooms, 11 of which are Steinway grands. We have three concert-size Steinway grands in our two performing halls and excellent Steinway grands in our piano teaching studios. Our internationally performing and researching piano faculty offer highly individualized instruction helping students develop technique and understanding of music and style. Piano seminars provide students the opportunity to practice performing in front of their peers.
We offer ample opportunities for student pianists to learn the art of accompanying vocalists, instrumentalists, opera, and choral ensembles in rehearsal and performance. Pianists gain vital hands-on experience, and can be paid for their work and contribution.
The organ studio at Luther College is a welcoming community open to all students. Whether you’re pursuing a major in organ or taking secondary lessons to explore your interests or explore career opportunities, Luther offers opportunities for growth at every level. Luther is home to six pipe organs including the large Robert Sipe mechanical-action organ in the Center for Faith and Life, one of the finest concert organs in the Upper Midwest, featuring 3 manuals and 62 ranks of pipes. Complementing it is the two-manual Hendrickson mechanical-action organ in the dedicated Sundt Organ Studio of Jenson-Noble Hall of Music. Students also have access to three additional practice organs and a positive organ for chamber music. With a rich tradition of excellence, our organ program prepares students for fulfilling careers in performance, church music, teaching as well as preparing students for graduate studies. Students have the opportunity to perform in the college’s chapel services and events as well as participate in field trips and outreach recitals.
Luther students also have the rare opportunity to study solo harpsichord repertoire and figured bass and to collaborate with student singers, instrumentalists, and ensembles. We own a fine double-manual GoermanÂTasquin French-style instrumental built in Italy by Guido Bizzi, as well as a Zuckerman Flemish double.
- degree recitals and general recitals
- concerto and aria competition
- distinction in accompanying competition
- accompanist for lessons, seminars, recitals, and ensembles
- chapel performances
- opera and musical theater
- off-campus outreach recitals and other programs
Join us in the keyboard area of the Luther College Music Department, where you can continue to achieve your goals as a musician as you prepare for a successful and well-rounded future! Contact our faculty with questions about the program.
Careers and Outcomes
Luther College keyboard graduates are accepted into America’s most prestigious graduate programs where they earn master’s and doctoral degrees from schools like Eastman, Emory University, Yale, University of Michigan, University of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music, University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory of Music, Indiana University, the University of Illinois, Roosevelt University, the University of Texas at Austin, and Bowling Green State University. Our graduates enjoy satisfying careers as college professors, vocal coaches, collaborative pianists, private studio teachers, directors of church music, and school teachers.