In the transition to the new academic year, the Luther College Music Department is experiencing transition as well. Over the summer, the choral department made the decision to revise the composition of all three upperclassman choirs to once again include all voice types, organized by class.
As Director of Choral Activities, Dr. Andrew Last said in a notification to prospective members, “Cathedral [Choir] will return to an ensemble of sophomores, Collegiate [Chorale] will be juniors and seniors, and Nordic [Choir] will be sophomores, juniors and seniors.”
Collegiate Chorale was formerly composed solely of alto and soprano upperclassman vocalists, while Cathedral Choir included soprano, alto, tenor, bass and baritone, or SATB voices.
This change has come as the result of increased interest and auditions. While this change is new to the current college population, this organizational style was utilized in years prior.
When asked of the benefits of the change, Cathedral Choir member Megan Aldrich (‘28) said, “Getting to be in a choir with only sophomores, where you already have an idea of people’s voices, but then getting to truly unify them as SATB was such a magical moment for me.”
She also said, “Unless you auditioned for Nordic [Choir], it would also get rid of the uncertainty over the summer about which choir you got into and which of your friends will be in your choir.”
Collegiate Chorale member Ben Lorence (‘27) said, “I think that this change back to the former set up of the choirs is a wonderful opportunity. I have heard some people who have been in Aurora and then Collegiate in previous years are very excited to be in a mixed choir for the first time since high school. Although I will miss the opportunity to work with choir members from sophomore to senior classes like we did last year, I am very excited.”
Aldrich said of the Cathedral director, “Dr. Potvin spends the perfect amount of class warming up and creating an environment where you can make mistakes.”
Lorence also said, “I think a benefit of being at Luther College is that no matter what director a student may have, that director is committed to the success of the choir they are conducting and every choir member.”
The change in composition also encourages further community building amongst singers.
Aldrich said she “really enjoy[ed] the community it fosters, which enforces previous friendships along with already having created new ones!”
Collegiate Chorale and Cathedral Choir will perform throughout the year. Alongside first-year choirs Aurora and Norskkor, their next performance will be part of President Chamberlain’s inauguration festivities, on October 3 at 10:30 in the Center for Faith and Life.
