Luther College student receives inaugural Fred Nyline Distinguished Award in Music

Luther College senior Nathan Anderson is the inaugural recipient of the Fred Nyline Distinguished Award in Music. 

Awarded for the first time in 2020, and selected by the director of bands, the Fred Nyline Distinguished Award in Music will be presented annually to a junior or senior member of the Concert Band whose character, leadership and participation in the music program demonstrate a strong contribution to the program in a way that embraces the spirit and mission of Luther College.

"Nathan's passion, commitment and dedication to the Luther College Concert Band, and Luther College as an institution is palpable," said Cory Near, interim director of bands. "Nathan currently holds leadership positions in multiple ensembles on campus, including president of the renowned Luther College Concert Band. Additionally, in a time of much uncertainty, Nathan has been able to keep his passion and excitement for Concert Band alive and well. His demeanor and overall attitude are infectious, and I believe it helps foster a positive, ensemble-wide attitude. This recognition is both deserving and well-earned and I am honored to call Nathan Anderson one of my students."

            Anderson is a senior, saxophone performance major from Duluth, Minnesota. After graduating from Luther, he plans to attend graduate school for saxophone performance and pedagogy. He recognizes the powerful impact Fred Nyline had on the music program at Luther and is extremely humbled to have won this award in his name.  

            "Fred Nyline is a music legend at Luther and his passion for the band program is second to none," said Anderson. "Concert Band is home to me. We have experienced the highest of highs and the lowest of lows together. We have been, and always will be 'one band, one family.' I feel very honored to receive this award in its inaugural year. I am so grateful to my parents, classmates and professors for helping me achieve this."

The Fred Nyline Distinguished Award in Music was established by Jaime (Rowe) '00 and Matthew Titus '01 in honor of Fred Nyline, professor emeritus of music, who conducted the Luther College Concert Band, Varsity Band and the Wind and Percussion Ensemble for 38 years. He also taught advanced instrumental conducting. 

Before joining the Luther faculty in 1973, Nyline served on the faculty of the University of Minnesota as associate director of bands and director of the University Men's Chorus. He has been a guest faculty member at the University of Illinois and director of bands in the Austin, Minnesota school system. Nyline frequently served as guest conductor for the Musashino Academia Wind Ensemble in Tokyo, Japan. He has also served as festival director, guest conductor and adjudicator throughout the United States, Canada, Europe and the Pacific Rim, including locations in Alaska, Hawaii, Japan, Okinawa, Taiwan, Korea, Singapore, Malaysia and the Philippines. 

Under Nyline's direction, the Luther College Concert Band performed at numerous state and national music conventions, participated in yearly Midwest tours, two European tours, two extended tours of the West Coast and Hawaii, and three tours of Japan and China.

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.