Contact Information

Michelle Volkmann
Media Relations Specialist

volkmi01@luther.edu

Phone: 563-387-1417

Excellence in music education and performance honored at Homecoming

This 2024 Homecoming season, Luther College continued the tradition of presenting the Weston Noble, Dr. Carlo A. Sperati and Hemp Prize awards, which recognize musical excellence and achievement. Student and alumni award winners are recognized each year during the annual Homecoming concert.

2024 Weston Noble Award

David Judisch head shot

David Judisch, Luther College professor emeritus of music, is the 2024 recipient of the Weston Noble Award.

David Judisch, Luther College professor emeritus of music, is the 2024 recipient of the Weston Noble Award. Weston Noble served on the music faculty at Luther College from 1948 to 2005. During that time, the college grew in numbers and national reputation, and Noble became a leader in training trailblazers in the field of music education. Established in 2004, the Weston Noble Award recognizes music educators who honor and continue Noble’s legacy.

Judisch’s life and work epitomize a profound dedication to music, culture and community service, ensuring that the rich heritage of Norwegian and Norwegian-American traditions continue to flourish for future generations.

Judisch earned his Doctor of Musical Arts from the University of Iowa. He taught at Luther College for 40 years and many of his students achieved notable success, including regional finalists in prestigious competitions. 

Judisch has directed the Luren Singing Society since 1975. Founded by Norwegian immigrants in 1868, the Luren Singing Society is the oldest and largest male chorus in the Norwegian Singers Association of America (NSAA). Under Judisch’s leadership, the chorus has flourished with a membership of between 70 and 80 singers from diverse backgrounds and professions that are united by their passion for music. 

Judisch has led the Luren Singers on five tours to Norway, performing for royalty multiple times, including King Harald and King Olav. He also facilitated international tours with the NSAA, which have left a lasting impact. Additionally, Judisch has recorded albums with the Luren Singers and participated in biennial Sangerfests. The 2024 Sangerfest was held at Luther College in June. 

He has served as a voice clinician, adjudicator and conductor, including significant contributions to the Decorah Lutheran Church choir for 24 years. He was a founding member of the New Minowa Players community theater, has volunteered with Nordic Fest since 1975, and is involved with the Decorah Community Meal program. He helped to establish Path to Citizenship, an organization whose mission is to aid people navigating the path to citizenship in northeast Iowa. 

2024 Dr. Carlo A. Sperati Award

Justin Knoepfel head shot

Justin Knoepfel, Luther College class of 2004, is the 2024 recipient of the Dr. Carlo A. Sperati Award.

Justin Knoepfel, Luther College class of 2004, is the 2024 recipient of the Dr. Carlo A. Sperati Award. Sperati, a pillar of Luther College and the Lutheran music tradition, was the conductor of the Luther College Concert Band for 38 years until his retirement in 1943. His work ethic and demand for perfection and patience when working with music students are part of the identity of the Luther College music department to this day. This award recognizes those traits in music educators as they follow in Sperati’s footsteps.

Knoepfel joined the faculty of Gustavus Adolphus College in 2009. An associate professor of music, Knoepfel serves as the conductor of the Gustavus Symphony Orchestra and is chair of the Department of Music. He is also a viola instructor. In demand as a clinician, guest conductor and adjudicator, Knoepfel most recently served as a guest festival conductor at the Dorian Orchestra Festival. 

As a violist, Knoepfel has performed with distinguished orchestras like the Minnesota Orchestra and Minnesota Opera, and at venues across the United States and Europe. He has also collaborated extensively with members of the Minnesota Orchestra, the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, and others. He has also performed with artists such as Idina Menzel, Amy Grant and the Eagles, and played privately for King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden. 

Knoepfel received a B.A. from Luther College before earning a Master of Music in viola and a Doctorate of Musical Arts in viola performance and music theory from the University of Minnesota. He is married to Elisa (Falk) Knoepfel, who also graduated from Luther in 2004. The couple has five children and two pets. 

2024 Hemp Prize 

Mark Severtson playing tuba

Mark Severtson, Luther College class of 2025, is the 2024 recipient of the Hemp Prize.

Mark Severtson, Luther College class of 2025, is the 2024 recipient of the Hemp Prize. The Richard C. and Joann M. Hemp Family Prize for Orchestra Performance is given annually to a senior member of the Luther College Symphony Orchestra. The $8,000 scholarship is funded through an endowment established by Richard, class of 1964, and Joann (Harr) Hemp, class of 1965. Richard Hemp is a regent emeritus, former chair of the Luther College Board of Regents and former interim president of Luther College. The auditioned prize awards students of exceptional performance, talent, musicianship and leadership.

Severtson is a music performance major at Luther College. He has served as the principal tubist in the college’s Symphony Orchestra, Concert Band, and the Noble Brass Quintet. As a soloist at Luther, Severtson won the 2023–24 Band Concerto Competition and was the inaugural recipient of the Dr. Joan deAlbuquerque Prize in Music. He was a finalist in the 2023 Symphony Orchestra Concerto Competition and received the Tim and Sandra Peter Music Leadership award in 2022.

In addition to his solo performances and recitals, Severtson was the Tuba Fellow at Lutheran Summer Music Festival in 2023. 

Outside of music, Severtson enjoys reading books, learning German, throwing pottery and spending time with his parents and two brothers in Ann Arbor, Mich.

Contact Information

Michelle Volkmann
Media Relations Specialist

volkmi01@luther.edu

Phone: 563-387-1417