Luther College announces upcoming performances as part of the Faculty Artist Series

Luther College continues its history of musical excellence by showcasing the talent and expertise of Luther faculty in various musical performance areas. Below are the upcoming performances as part of the Faculty Artist Series. Unless noted otherwise, all events are currently scheduled to take place in the Noble Recital Hall in the Jenson-Noble Hall of Music.

Xiao Hu and Du Huang, piano duo

Both tenured piano faculty at Luther College, Xiao Hu and Du Huang perform together internationally as the Unison Piano Duo. Their performances have received enthusiastic responses from critics and audiences around the world. Their recital at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 8, will feature work by Camille Saint-Saëns, Robert Schumann, Johannes Brahms and Ilyich Tchaikovsky.

Heather Armstrong, oboe

At 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 22, Heather Armstrong will present a woodwind chamber recital in collaboration with music faculty Michael Chesher, clarinet; Thea Groth, bassoon; Carol Hester, flute; and Nicholas Shaneyfelt, piano. The recital will feature work by Alyssa Morris, Andrey Rubtsov, Jean-Michel Damase and William Grant Still.

Beth Ray Westlund, voice

Mezzo-soprano Beth Ray, joined by fellow Luther faculty members Nicholas Shaneyfelt, piano and Rachel Storlie, soprano will give a recital at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 25. The recital will feature pieces by Reynaldo Hahn, Johannes Brahms, Cole Porter and several operatic arias.

Lynne Rothrock, voice

Lynne Rothrock's cabaret performance at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 27, will feature a variety of musical theatre, cabaret songs and selections from the Great American Songbook. Rothrock will be joined by Julia Andrews on piano and Marita May '14 on violin.

Jon Ailabouni, jazz

Jon Ailabouni and the Optimism Jazz Sextet will give a recital at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 28, in the Center for Faith and Life Recital Hall. The group dives into diverse repertoires from New Orleans hard bop to the contemporary compositions of New York saxophonist Eric Alexander and drummer T.S. Monk. In addition, the recital will feature original music by members of the group.

Gregory Peterson, organ

Gregory Peterson will present an organ recital titled "Kveldmusikk," meaning evening music, at 8:15 p.m. Tuesday, March 10, in the Sundt Studio of Jenson-Noble Hall of Music. Peterson will perform works related to his recent sabbatical in Scandinavia including music by Dieterich Buxtehude, Johannes Brahms, Johann Gottfried Walther, Emil Sjögren and Johann Sebastian Bach.

Rachel Storlie, voice

Soprano, Rachel Storlie, along with fellow faculty members, Nicholas Shaneyfelt, piano; Philip Borter, cello; Carol Hester, flute; and Michael Chesher, clarinet, will present a recital of chamber work featuring Croatian art songs by Božidar Kunc and Ivana Lang and "Primavera" by Thea Musgrave at 4 p.m. Saturday, March 14.

Igor Kalnin, violin

Duo MemDi was founded by violinist Igor Kalnin and pianist Rochelle Sennet in 2010. The award winning duo performs music that embraces the diversity of world cultures. At 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 18, they will give a recital featuring pieces by H. Leslie Adams, Johannes Brahms, Ilyich Tchaikovsky and Robert Schumann.

All performances are open to the public with no charge for admission. Please note, events are subject to change. For more information on these and other upcoming events visit luther.edu/events.

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.