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Michelle Volkmann
Media Relations Specialist
Phone: 563-387-1417
Luther senior Brenna Sherman named the 2018 Presser Undergraduate Scholar Award recipient
Luther College senior Brenna Sherman of Rochester, Minnesota, is Luther’s 2018 Presser Undergraduate Scholar Award recipient.
A graduate of Lourdes High School in Rochester, Minnesota, Sherman currently studies music and education at Luther.
Sherman was recognized at the Homecoming concert, Sunday, Oct. 28. The Presser Scholar Award is one of four honors that was announced during the concert.
The Presser Scholar Award was established in 1939 by the Presser Foundation in honor of Theodore Presser, the publisher of Etude music magazine 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 music faculty vote by consideration of excellence and merit. Luther is proud to have more than 50 Presser Scholars among its music alumni.
Sherman has been an active part of the music community for much of her life. She was inspired by her band directors, Wendy Hansen, Michael Mangan and Zach Sander in high school. At Luther, Sherman’s ensemble participation has included playing flute in Concert Band, Chamber Orchestra and Symphony Orchestra, as well as singing in Aurora, Cathedral and Collegiate choirs. She also held a lead role in Luther’s 2017 Opera Cosi Fan Tutte, as Despina.
Sherman has sought out work positions related to music to further her knowledge base. She has served as a student representative for the music department at Luther and the secretary for the Future Music Educators Association.
Sherman’s scholarships at Luther currently include the President’s Scholarship, the All-State Music Scholarship, the “Become” Award, the Weston Noble Instrumental Music Excellence Scholarship, the Preus Music Scholarship and the John H. Monson International Education Scholarship.
This coming year Sherman is excited to take part in the Symphony Orchestra’s trip to Vienna, Austria, as well as beginning her semester student teaching in Seoul, South Korea.
Sherman is very grateful for all of the support and guidance that she has received along her journey. She says, “I would like to thank my family and all of my professors and classmates at Luther for the amazing adventures.”
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.
Contact Information
Michelle Volkmann
Media Relations Specialist
Phone: 563-387-1417