Luther College announces in-person Dorian Festivals

Register or submit a nomination for the 2022 Dorian Festivals

Luther College is happy to announce the return to in-person Dorian Festivals in 2022.

“We are so excited and thankful for the return of in-person Dorian,” said Daniel Baldwin, professor of music and head of the music department. “Dorian has provided rich, life-altering musical experiences for an uncountable number of high school musicians. All that is Luther College is illuminated by our musical art and by the legacy of Dorian Music Festivals.”

The festivals are scheduled as follows:

Dorian Keyboard Festival – Nov. 13, 2021
Registration open now-Oct. 31

This festival is open to piano and organ students currently in 7-12 grade. Participants will have the chance to study one-on-one with the festival faculty, perform in a public or private setting, and attend recitals, masterclasses, and workshops. Outstanding festival participants will be selected to perform in the festival honor recitals in Luther’s beautiful Noble Recital Hall.

Given the individualized nature of this event, the COVID-19 protocols described below do not apply to this festival.

Learn more and register at luther.edu/music/dorian/festivals/keyboard/registration/.

Dorian Vocal Festival – Jan. 9-10, 2022
Nominations open now-Nov. 1

Each year choral directors are invited to nominate outstanding high school junior and senior vocalists to attend the Dorian Vocal Festival. Students accepted to the festival will be part of a very large festival choir with students from hundreds of high schools. In addition to rehearsals for the festival choir, students will have a chance to participate in a private mini-lesson with Luther College voice faculty.

The weekend concludes on Monday evening with a grand concert, featuring the festival choir, five high school soloists selected from the mini-lessons and a performance by the Luther College Nordic Choir.

Learn more and submit a nomination at luther.edu/music/dorian/festivals/vocal/.

Dorian Orchestra Festival – Feb. 6-7, 2022
Nominations open Nov. 1-Dec. 6

Each year orchestra directors are invited to nominate high school string students to attend the Dorian Orchestra Festival where students are placed in one of two orchestras: the Festival String Orchestra or the select Chamber Orchestra. In addition to ensemble rehearsals, students also have the chance to participate in techniques classes, masterclasses and private lessons led by Luther College string faculty members. The Luther College Symphony Orchestra performs for the festival participants during the weekend, and the two festival orchestras perform in a grand concert on Monday evening.

Learn more and submit a nomination on Nov. 1 at luther.edu/music/dorian/festivals/orchestra/.

Dorian Band Festival – Feb. 27-28, 2022
Nominations open Nov. 1-Dec. 6

Each year band directors are invited to nominate high school band students to attend the Dorian Band Festival. Approximately 500 students are accepted to participate in the festival where students are placed in one of three bands: two festival-massed bands and the select festival symphonic band. In addition to festival band rehearsals, students also have a chance to participate in a private mini-lesson with Luther College faculty. The Luther College Concert Band and Jazz Orchestra perform for the festival participants on Sunday evening, and the three festival bands perform in a grand concert on Monday evening.

Learn more and submit a nomination on Nov. 1 at luther.edu/music/dorian/festivals/band/.

COVID-19 protocols

While all festivals will be in-person, due to the ongoing pandemic, there will be additional requirements for attending. Aside from the Dorian Keyboard Festival, all participating students and attending teachers and chaperones will be required to submit either proof of a COVID-19 vaccination or proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours of arrival. This will allow the festivals to go on without the need for masking or distancing requirements or shortened rehearsal times. In a private lesson setting, faculty members may require students and teachers to mask. Festival attendees should plan to bring a mask and have it with them for this reason. More logistical details will be shared with teachers once the festival rosters have been finalized.

About Luther College Music

Luther is home to one of the largest undergraduate music programs in the nation, with five choirs, three orchestras, two bands, and two jazz bands. One-third of all Luther students participate in music, including large ensembles, faculty-coached chamber groups, private lessons, and master classes. Nearly 175 music majors study music theory, ear training, history, education, composition, jazz, church music, and performance. Learn more at luther.edu/music.