Page 44 - Jan.indd

2022 ACDA Midwestern Region Conference

Performing Choirs

Luther College Millikin University

Nordic Choir Choir

Nordic Choir
is celebrating its
75th anniver-
sary and enjoys
national and
inter national
stature as one
of the premier
collegiate choral
ensembles in the
United States.
Acclaimed for From the pure sounds of the Renaissance to the robust
the way it hon- qualities of major choral/orchestral works, the Millikin
ors the Lutheran University Choir celebrates a broad variety of styles and
choral tradition while also featuring new and innova- genres. The choir has performed in such remarkable set-
tive choral works, the choir showcases versatility, artist- tings as the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. and
ry, and technical mastery across many genres of music. Cathedral Santo Domingo (Dom. Rep.), the fi rst cathe-
Nordic Choir has toured extensively throughout the dral in the New World. The Millikin University Choir
United States, performing in churches of all denomina- has received six invitations to perform at ACDA national
tions, schools, and concert halls. Nordic Choir has also and regional conferences. The Millikin University Choir
appeared at three national ACDA conferences and an will perform the Raymond Brock Commission “Stop-
MEA national conference in Kansas City, Missouri. ping by Woods on a Snowy Evening” by Ēriks Ešenvalds.

Andrew Last is the Weston Noble Endowed Brad Holmes is director of choir programs
Professor and Director of Choral Activities at Millikin University, where he conducts
at Luther College in Decorah, IA, where the University Choir, and teaches con-
he conducts the Nordic Choir, teaches con- ducting and music education classes. Now
ducting, serves as the artistic director for in his 29th year at Millikin, he oversees a
Christmas at Luther and camp director for the Dorian multi-tiered program of choirs and vocal ensembles led

Summer Music Camps. The Luther choral program in- by a nationally recognized choral staff. Choirs under
cludes numerous regional and national ACDA confer- Holmes’s direction have sung in every state but Alaska
ence performances; they also regularly present choral/ and in thirty-six countries. They have received six invita-
orchestral works. Last holds a BA from Luther College, tions to perform at ACDA conferences. Domestically, he
an MM from Northern Arizona University, and a DMA has led more than three-hundred choir festivals includ-
from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. ing twenty-seven all-state choirs, regional ACDA honor
choirs, and church music clinics.

42 CHORAL JOURNAL January 2022 Volume 62 Number 5