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. Over seventy student musicians, representing a variety of academic disciplines, perform with Symphony Orchestra. Many members also sing in a choir, play in a band or jazz ensemble, and form small chamber groups. Symphony Orchestra is conducted by Daniel Baldwin.
Symphony Orchestra tours regularly in the United States and every four years maintains a three-week residency in Vienna, Austria, with a final performance at the Konzerthaus or Musikverein. Domestic tours have included trips through the Pacific Northwest, the Great Plains States, the Southeast, and the Upper Midwest. The Symphony Orchestra’s next Vienna residency will take place in January 2027.
Distinctions
Symphony Orchestra takes great pride in performing new music on a regular basis. Since 2001, the orchestra has been pleased to present six world premieres. The orchestra also collaborates with the Luther College choirs in biennial performances of major choral-orchestral works and in the annual Christmas at Luther festival performances.
Prospective Students
Symphony Orchestra meets three days a week and is made up of musicians from all class years and study areas. Auditions for the ensemble take place every fall. During the academic year, Symphony Orchestra performs a full-length fall concert, two full-length spring concerts, is featured at Christmas at Luther, and is included in Homecoming and Commencement Weekend concerts. Click below to learn more about ensemble tours.
The Luther College Chamber Orchestra specializes in repertoire for small orchestra and mixed chamber ensembles ranging from the Baroque era to the 21st century. In addition to its own concert schedule, Chamber Orchestra performs with the Luther College Opera Workshop.
Chamber Orchestra is conducted by Daniel Baldwin.
Prospective Students
The Chamber Orchestra rehearses two days a week, and is made up of musicians from all class years and academic majors. String players who play in Chamber Orchestra also participate in Symphony Orchestra. Auditions for the ensemble take place every fall.
Find music from the Luther College Music Department on Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music!
Master your instrument by studying strings at Luther College! During your course of study you will learn about a wide range of repertoire, music theory, and proper technique for your instrument.
Meet the Directors
2023-2024 Orchestral Rosters
Symphony Orchestra
Flute
Mya Ploor, Sturgeon Bay, Wis.
Audrey(Hanson) Sorlien and Marilyn(Sorlien) Skatrud Chair
Jenna Kleven, Albert Lea, Minn.
Hannah Stoutner, Whitehall, Wis.
Oboe
Britta Elsbernd, Mason City, Iowa
Anna (Kemp) and Russell Norris Chair
Lily McGohan, Decorah, Iowa
Clarinet
Kyle Pido, Rochester, Minn.
Ryan Hinderaker, Ames, Iowa
Sam Maston, Hudson, Mass.
Bassoon
Charlotte Appel, Lynnwood Wash.
Helen (Hoff) James Chair
Owen Matzek, Hastings Minn.
Adam McDonald, Cold Spring, Minn.
Horn
Kellen DeKok, Archer Iowa
Erik, Kari, Maren Engebretson Chair
Maggie Bruck, Solon Iowa
Ethan Erickson, Rochester, Minn.
Renee Vorndran, Osceola Wis.
First Violin
Luis Galvez, La Vega, Dominican Republic
Torgerson Concertmaster
Anishka Vogl, Austin, Texas
Liam Edberg, Iowa City, Iowa
Megan Bumpus, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Avery Hagstrom, Alexandria, Minn.
Mary Osborne, Carlton, Minn.
Christina Rolf, River Falls, Wis.
Ethan Johnson, Brooklyn, Wis.
Sophie Klein, Minneapolis, Minn.
Amy Webb, Waverly, Iowa
Viola
Jessica Trygstad, Sioux Falls, S.D.
Andrea Nelson and Kathryn Nelson Chair
Catherine Briddell, McFarland, Wis.
Mason Abrahamson, Woodbury, Minn.
Cedric Beiwel, Decorah, Iowa
Anastasia Davidson, Cedar Falls, Iowa
Emma Olson, Alexandria, Minn.
Double Bass
Malachi Rettmann, Madison, Wis.
Presser Foundation Scholar
Claudia Larson, Golden Valley, Minn.
Lydia Swarney, Ottumwa, Iowa
Kyle McElroy, Carmichael, Calf.
Kai Stemm, Saint Paul, Minn.
Trumpet
Mari Mineck, Waukee, Iowa
Dr. Ronald and Carole Fox Chair
Matthew Boardman, Genoa, Wis.
Hannah Wren, Anthem, Ariz.
Trombone
Eli Vorvick, Decorah, Iowa
Dorothy (Bonnell) and Russell Ziemer Chair
Zach Cummer, Waverly, Iowa
Bass Trombone
Haley Wince, West Des Moines, Iowa
Tuba
Mark Severtson, Milan, Mich.
Harp
Taiyo Kakegawa-Fernandez, Eau Claire, Wis.
Jeanette Pelletier, Dundas, Minn.
Percussion
Andrew Mantini, principal, Brooklyn Park, Minn.
Kerry Knodle Chair
Nick Drew, Saint Joseph, Minn.
Siri Hokanson, Saint Paul, Minn
Piano
Tara Jeremiah Rajanesen, Tamil Nadu, India
Second Violin
Emma Prostine, Richard C. and Joann M. Hemp Scholar, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Dorothy M. Ansett Chair
Grace Rosholt, Middleton, Wis.
Rebecca Zheng, Waverly, Iowa
Ben Hilgers, Madison, Wis.
Mariangely Linder, Northfield, Minn.
L’Engle Charis-Carlson, Iowa City, Iowa
Hailey Carlson, Council Bluffs, Iowa
Sonnet Mungyeh, Happy Valley, Ore.
Scott Rust, Hudson, Wis.
Cello
Ryan Dornfeld, Saint Michael, Minn.
Dorothy M. Ansett Chair
Titus Gunderson, Holmen, Wis.
Lydia Gruenwald, Lombard, Ill.
Nathan Behrens, Falcon Heights, Minn.
Ella Swalley, Roseville, Minn.
Lani Himegarner, Lodi, Wis.
Olivia Sinclair, Waterloo, Iowa
Nathan Shimon, Rockford, Ill.
Lauren Gray, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Simon Poelman, Saint Paul, Minn.
Mattie Snyder, Bemidji, Minn.
Ruth Meehan, Iowa City, Iowa
Maya Winkel, Waterloo, Iowa
Cassie Magee, Fort Collins, Colo.
Grace Stone, Andover, Minn.
Chamber Orchestra
Flute
Chloe Moeller, Rosemount, Minn.
Anna Floden, Mason City, Iowa
Oboe
Britta Elsbernd, Mason City, Iowa
Nate Dennis, Winona, Minn.
Lainey Patzloff, Minneapolis, Minn.
Clarinet
Olivia Brown, St. Louis Park, Minn.
Anastasia Davidson, Cedar Falls, Iowa
Bassoon
Adam McDonald, Cold Spring, Minn.
Charlotte Appel, Lynnwood, Wash.
First Violin
Luis Galvez, La Vega, Dominican Republic
Anishka Vogl, Austin, Texas
Grace Rosholt, Middleton, Wis.
Emma Prostine, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Mary Osborne, Carlton, Minn.
Viola
Jessica Trygstad, Sioux Falls, S.D.
Mason Abrahamson, Woodbury, Minn.
Catherine Briddell, Mcfarland, Wis.
Cedrick Beiwel, Decorah, Iowa
Horn
Kellen DeKok, Archer, Iowa
Mathea Diedrich, Windsor, Wis.
Trumpet
Isaiah Nordine, Rochester, Minn.
Bre Hippler, Clive, Iowa
Timpani
Nicholas Drew, Saint Joseph, Minn.
Andrew Mantini, Brooklyn Park, Minn.
Second Violin
Liam Edberg, Iowa City, Iowa
Ethan Johnson, Brooklyn, Wis.
Megan Bumpus, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Sophie Klein, Minneapolis, Minn.
Cello
Ryan Dornfeld, Saint Michael, Minn.
Lydia Gruenwald, Lombard, Ill.
Ella Swalley, Roseville, Minn.
Lani Himegarner, Lodi, Wis.
Olivia Sinclair, Waterloo, Iowa
Double Bass
Claudia Larson, Golden Valley, Minn.
Philharmonia
Violin 1
Kaitlyn Blackburn, Stacy, Minn.
Emma Englehart, St. Charles, Ill.Â
Violin 2
Fiona Garrity, Batavia, Ill.
Sophy Yakes, St. Louis Park, Minn.
Viola
Paul Ode, Iowa City, Iowa
Cello
Will Coffey, Kingsford, Mich.
Ella Heiks, Appleton, Wis.
Max Sampson, Pine Island, Minn.
Erik Radke, Duluth, Minn.
Vicky Davis, Davenport, Iowa
Toby Carls, North Oaks, Minn.
Lilly Riedel, Shoreview, Minn.
Bass
Lucas Hendricks, Sioux Falls, S.D.