ORCHESTRAS

The Luther College orchestral program includes three ensembles:  Chamber Orchestra, Symphony Orchestra, and Philharmonia. The Chamber Orchestra and Symphony Orchestra are both conducted by Daniel Baldwin; the Philharmonia is conducted by Spencer Martin.

The Luther College Symphony Orchestra, Luther’s largest and oldest orchestral ensemble, maintains an active rehearsal and performance schedule during the academic year, from early September to late May. More than 85 student musicians, representing a variety of academic majors, perform with Symphony Orchestra.  Virtually every musician in the orchestra studies privately with a member of the Luther College music faculty.  Many also play chamber music, sing in a choir, or play in a jazz ensemble.

In addition to regular concerts featuring masterworks of the standard orchestral literature, Symphony Orchestra takes great pride in performing new music on a regular basis: since 2001 the orchestra has been pleased to present four world premieres.   Members of the orchestra also perform with the Luther College choirs, in periodic performances of major choral-orchestral works, and in the annual Christmas at Luther festival performances.

Symphony Orchestra tours yearly throughout the United States and maintains a three-week residency in Vienna, Austria, every four years, most recently in January 2007. In Vienna, the group rehearses, attends operas and concerts, and performs in venues such as Vienna Konzerthaus. Recent domestic tours have included trips to the Pacific Northwest, the Great Plains States, the Southeast, and the Upper Midwest.

The Luther College Symphony Orchestra engages local and regional high school students through several educational opportunities. Each February, Symphony Orchestra hosts more than 200 high school string players at the annual Dorian Orchestra Festival. In cooperation with music specialists for the Decorah (IA) School District, the LC Symphony Orchestra has presented special programs of music for elementary school children in northeast Iowa.  Members of the Luther College string faculty regularly volunteer their time at area high schools, as chamber music and sectional coaches. 

Four chairs in the Luther College Symphony Orchestra benefit from endowed scholarships generously provided by Luther donors. Scholarship recipients are determined by auditions conducted under the guidance of the orchestra conductor.

Recent Orchestral Repertoire

Luther College Chamber Orchestra

Daniel Baldwin, conductor

The Chamber Orchestra, consisting of members of the Symphony Orchestra, specializes in repertoire for small orchestra and mixed chamber ensembles ranging from the Baroque era to the 20th-century. The Chamber Orchestra performs with the Luther College opera workshop and with the Luther choirs in biennial performances of various oratorios.

Luther College Philharmonia

Spencer Martin, conductor

The Luther College Philharmonia is a symphonic ensemble that performs regularly on campus in concert and in worship.  Recent repertoire has included Beethoven’s Symphony No. 1 and Egmont Overture, Copland’s An Outdoor Overture, and Dvorák’s Czech Suite.  Recent concerts have also featured faculty soloists Du Huang and Xiao Hu in Mendelssohn’s Concerto for Two Pianos in E Major, as well as Pergolesi’s Stabat Mater with the Luther College Cantorei.

PRIVATE LESSONS

Students studying privately with string faculty have the option to take lessons for one half-hour or an hour. Repertoire typically includes solo literature, chamber music, and orchestral studies. Regular studio classes serve as a venue for student performances and topical discussions.

CHAMBER MUSIC

Many string students at Luther participate in string or mixed chamber ensembles in addition to taking lessons. Coached by string faculty who are experienced chamber musicians, the student ensembles often perform in recitals, during chapel, and for special events.  Students may receive course credit for participating in a chamber ensemble.