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Augsburg/Twin Cities Global Harmony Choir

The Augsburg Music Department is thrilled to announce the inaugural season of the Augsburg/Twin Cities Global Harmony Choir, open to anyone on campus or out in the Metro area who loves to sing a cappella harmony. Teaching artists on this season’s roster hail from Corsica, Cuba, Iran, Nigeria, the Republic of Georgia, South Africa, Ukraine, and the United States. See the Augsburg/Twin Cities Global Harmony Choir page for more details.

OCCASIONAL UPDATES FROM THE MUSIC DEPARTMENT, APRIL 2020

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Volume III, No. 2 – April 2020

To our Augsburg Music community,

Welcome, once again, to our Occasional Updates for Augsburg University Music! Despite the frequent priority of solo work as a hallmark of musical achievement, most of us experience music-making as a social event. Meaningful music learning and experience derive from the shared act of preparing and executing performances.

Thus, the coronavirus has had an enormous impact on the “normal” work of the Department of Music and required us to think in creative ways about keeping our students engaged in active learning while practicing social distance and isolation. The typical final weeks of the semester, marked with concerts and recitals, preparation for commencement, juries, final exams, grading, and other rituals that mark academic transitions, have given way to exploring how today’s technology can be leveraged to support continuation of student learning. What we have learned, of course, is that technology has two dimensions. On the one hand, it provides avenues of staying in touch from our places of “distance” that can help us feel connected; on the other, it is a weak substitute for the necessity of face to face, real-time, feelingful interaction with others.
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OCCASIONAL UPDATES FROM THE MUSIC DEPARTMENT, DECEMBER 2019

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Volume III, No. 1 – December 2019

To our Augsburg Music community,

It is a privilege to share with you, once again, the many exciting activities and events occurring in the Department of Music at Augsburg University. As I write this message, we have just completed our 40th year of Advent Vespers; and, as always, we have ushered in this most anticipated time of the year with hymns, anthems, orchestral works, and readings holding great meaning. Planning for next year’s Vespers begins almost immediately, giving you some idea of the time and effort the department gives to this signature occasion in the life of the university.

Reunion Choir, 2019 GalaIn the links that follow (I hope you will peruse all of them), you will learn about many initiatives in the department. As you likely know, this is Augsburg’s sesquicentennial year, and the music department was active not only in the kickoff gala but also in a collage concert in Hoversten Chapel the next day. It was a marvelous portrait of the work our ensembles are doing, and our directors and students showed exemplary effort in performing so well so early in the semester! Our new departmental advisory council met for the first time on October 30. We have a wonderful group of friends, alumni, and colleagues who will provide invaluable feedback, encouragement, and advice on our work. Continue reading “OCCASIONAL UPDATES FROM THE MUSIC DEPARTMENT, DECEMBER 2019”

Music for the Sesquicentennial Celebrations

Have you heard about the Sesquicentennial?

Of course you have! But do you know about all of the exciting ways that the Augsburg Music Department is celebrating Augsburg’s 150th during the 2019-2020 academic year? We’ve started this page to help you keep track – Check back frequently for new announcements and event details.  Check out details linked below for all of these events:

  • 2019 Homecoming, music events
  • Augsburg Band Commission Project
  • Nordic Chamber Recital
  • 40th Annual Advent Vespers
  • Tienda (A Chamber Opera)
  • “All that we Carry” and original Musical
  • All School Reunion, music events

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OCCASIONAL UPDATES FROM THE MUSIC DEPARTMENT, APRIL 2019

Volume II, No. 3 – April 1, 2019

Dear Alumni, Parents, and Friends of Augsburg,

As I write, the promise of spring is in the air. Here at Augsburg Music, that means a flurry of activity during the last half of our semester. This edition of Occasional Updates apprises you of a few events; and you will find a complete listing on our website. Please consider supporting our students and program by attending concerts, recitals, and other events as you are able. Our wonderful students value the support you provide through your attendance at these events.

On April 11-12, Augsburg will host in residence the amazing Spektral Quartet out of Chicago. If you’ve not seen or heard of Spektral, you will find them an amazing quartet of inspired young artists dedicated to new music and music for diverse audiences. In collaboration with MacPhail Center for Music, they will perform in Antonello Hall on Thursday evening, April 11. This is a not to be missed event!  Continue reading “OCCASIONAL UPDATES FROM THE MUSIC DEPARTMENT, APRIL 2019”

OCCASIONAL UPDATES FROM THE MUSIC DEPARTMENT, May 2018

Volume I, Number 3 – May 24, 2018

JOHN N. SCHWARTZ PROFESSORSHIP IN CHORAL LEADERSHIP

Augsburg University and the Department of Music are pleased to announce that Kristina Boerger, DMA, has been appointed the inaugural John N. Schwartz Professor of Choral Leadership and Conducting. The search generated nearly 100 applicants nationally and internationally, and a 10-person committee of music faculty, community members, and university representatives, along with Provost Kaivola and President Pribbenow, made the final selection.

Kristina holds degrees in music education and conducting from the University of Illinois, has worked in public school, collegiate, and professional settings, and spent many years working in New York City, where her work received very favorable reviews in the New York Times. In addition to conducting, she is an excellent singer as well, having performed with numerous outstanding groups as a chorister and soloist. She has founded choirs and is deeply committed to the values of inclusion, access, and equity, music of diverse cultures, and commissioning original works. She has collaborated with leading composers and with artists in other art forms in creatively advancing the field of choral study and performance.

We are grateful to alumni and community members who attended Kristina’s public presentation on campus, to those who offered advice and feedback on the search, and to all those who have invested so generously in this professorship, particularly John N. Schwartz, ’67, whose name it reflects.

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Occasional Updates from the Music Department, March 2018

Volume I, Number 2 – March 1, 2018

Dear Music Alumni and Friends,

It is a busy season of recitals, concerts, guest artist and speaker visits, and, of course, ongoing classes in the Music Department. As I write, we are moving toward finalizing our national search for the Schwartz Choral Leadership position and the Music, Media, and Management position. Rafael Rodriguez (orchestra and jazz) has hosted guest artists from Latin America as well as a festival for high school students; Brian Lukasavitz (music business) is bringing Dessa and the New Standards to campus; we experienced our first “jazz brunch” during a chapel in January; we held two Music Exploration days for prospective students. More items of interest are included in this edition of Updates.

We are grateful for your interest, support, and enthusiasm for the work of the Music Department, and hope you can arrange to attend events (see our website calendar). As always, we value your recommendation to prospective students to consider Augsburg for music studies and participation.

With best wishes,
David Myers
Consulting chair for music studies Continue reading “Occasional Updates from the Music Department, March 2018”