Luther College announces recipients of annual Music Homecoming awards

Luther College is honored to present the Noble, Sperati, Presser and Hemp awards this 2019 Homecoming season.

Established in 2004, the Noble Award recognizes music educators who honor and continue Weston Noble's legacy. This year that award goes to alumni Dr. John M. Broman '69. After graduating from Luther, Dr. Broman went on to receive multiple music degrees from the University of Iowa, including a Bachelor of Music in vocal performance, a Master of Arts in choral conducting and a Doctor of Musical Arts in choral conducting.

"I am truly honored and humbled to receive the Weston H. Noble Award this year. Weston Noble whole-heartedly believed that music was a gift from God, inspiring all to sing from the heart," says Dr. Broman. "He is the reason I changed careers to go into music and I will be forever grateful as a result."

Dr. Broman previously taught at Dakota Wesleyan University and Loras College before arriving at the University of North Georgia in 1992. Since that time Dr. Broman has served as director of choral activities and has taught classes in conducting, choral methods, music appreciation, music history, diction and applied voice. In addition, he has received two Presidential Awards for Service, two service awards from the University's Student Government Association, among other recognitions.

Timothy Arnold "˜04, is the 2019 recipient of the Dr. Carlo A. Sperati award. Arnold received his Master of Music degree in wind conducting from Ithaca College and is currently pursuing a Doctor of Musical Arts in music education from Boston University.

Carlo Sperati is credited with creating the Luther Concert Band, which he conducted for 38 years until his retirement in 1943. Presented annually to one outstanding music educator, the first Sperati award was presented in 1961 to Weston Noble.

"It is an incredible honor and thrill to receive the Sperati award! I'm grateful for all of the opportunities I have had to this point of my career and thankful to all of my mentors and students," says Arnold.

Arnold currently teaches at Orono High School in Orono, Minnesota where he is the director of the wind ensemble, concert band, jazz ensemble, chamber winds, music listening team, band leadership team and co-director of the marching and pep bands. Under his direction, the Orono Wind Ensemble has performed twice at the Chicago Symphony Center at the Minnesota Music Educators State conference and made their debut at Carnegie Hall in April of this year.

Luther College senior, Jackson Churchill, of Duluth, Minnesota is the 2019 Presser Undergraduate Scholar Award recipient. Churchill will graduate from Luther in the spring of 2020 with a Bachelor of Arts in music education and plans to attend graduate school to pursue a master's degree in trombone performance.

"It is an honor to have my name appear alongside the hardworking, dedicated and talented Presser Award recipients from years past," says Churchill.

The Presser Scholar Award was established in 1939 by the Presser Foundation in honor of Theodore Presser, the publisher of The Etude, a magazine dedicated to music, and founder of the music publishing firm bearing his name. The award, funded by a monetary gift from the Presser Foundation of Haverford, Pennsylvania is presented annually to a current Luther music major chosen by a music faculty vote by consideration of excellence and merit.

A member of the Pi Kappa Lambda honor society, Churchill has also served as a music theory tutor, music department student representative, Dorian Summer Music Camp counselor, summer research fellow and runner on Luther's cross country and track teams for two seasons.

While at Luther, Churchill has served as principal trombonist and section leader in the Concert Band, Jazz Orchestra, Symphony Orchestra and Trombone Choir. He was recently honored to play with the Faculty Norse Brass Quintet for its 2019 fall recital and tour. This fall, Churchill will solo with Luther's Symphony Orchestra as a Luther College Concerto Competition winner. Churchill has also played trombone in on- and off-campus worship services and in freelance ensembles. As a pianist, Churchill has planned and led campus ministry worship services while also accompanying student juries and seminars.

"I am grateful to my instructors at Luther who have guided and cared for me both in and out of the classroom or rehearsal space and I am indebted to the love I receive each day from my family and friends. While this award recognizes my hard work, it would not be possible without the opportunities and support provided by the Luther community," says Churchill.

Luther College senior, Luke Berkley, of Owatonna, Minnesota is the 2019 recipient of the Hemp Family Prize. Berkley will graduate in the spring of 2020 with a Bachelor of Arts in music and a management minor. He plans to attend graduate school in pursuit of a Master of Music degree to further his music performance career.

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 $6,000 scholarship is funded through an endowment established from Richard '64 and Joann (Harr) Hemp '65. Richard is a regent emeritus, former chair of the Luther Board of Regents and former Interim President of Luther College.

"I am thankful to be recognized with this award and I hope that it allows me to further my music career and promote Luther College in the future," says Berkley.

Berkley has studied with Dr. Rebecca Boehm Shaffer for the past three years, and says he has grown immensely as a performer under her care. Since arriving at Luther, has been a member of the Chamber Orchestra, Norskkor (Norsemen), Transcendent Brass Quintet, QTC Horn Quartet, Concert Band and Symphony Orchestra. He has been a section leader in Concert Band for three years as well as principal horn of Symphony Orchestra for three years.

Luther is home to one of the largest collegiate music programs in the nation, with five choirs, three orchestras, three bands, two jazz bands and more than 800 student musicians. Luther students participate in large ensembles, faculty-coached chamber groups, private lessons and master classes. Nearly 275 music majors study music theory, ear training, history, education, composition, jazz, church music and performance.