Nordic Fest is a weekend festival held annually in Decorah , Iowa to commemorate the traditional customs and culture of Scandinavian countries, especially Norway . The event always occurs over the last weekend in July and often draws estimated crowds of 50,000 to 75,000.
35-416: Started in 1967, Nordic Fest grew from Luther College Women's Club annual celebration of Norwegian Constitution Day known as Syttende Mai . American Norwegians are exceptionally loyal to their heritage, which explains the size and scope of Nordic Fest. Every year, the residents of Decorah, Iowa, put on a jubilee of Old World heritage that brings people to the picturesque hills of northeast Iowa and serves as
70-759: A Lutheran seminary in 1861 by Norwegian immigrants , the school today is an institution of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America . The upper campus was listed as the Luther College Campus Historic District on the National Register of Historic Places in 2021. On October 10, 1857, the Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Church (NELC) created a seminary to supply ministers for Norwegian congregations in
105-489: A "bill of rights" criticizing the rigid schedule, the rules about going downtown, the lack of windows in some of the sleeping rooms, and the woodcutting and shoe-shining chores, concluding that "there was not enough freedom." The leader of the group, 18-year-old Rasmus Anderson, was expelled. This event was viewed as a rebellion and "the worst of sins" by the pastors assembled in a pastoral conference shortly after. In 1905, Carlo A. Sperati , an 1888 graduate of Luther, became
140-408: A former parsonage at Halfway Creek, Wisconsin , just north of La Crosse, Wisconsin , and close to present-day Holmen , Wisconsin. On September 1, 1861, classes officially began with an enrollment of 16. The following year classes moved to Decorah, Iowa, with NELC Pastor Ulrik Vilhelm Koren successfully arranging the college's relocation and permanent settlement. In 1866, a group of students signed
175-710: A kind of homecoming for Scandinavian Americans from many states. From the start, the entire community has been engaged in Nordic Fest through such efforts as the Decorah Nordic Dancers. Chosen dancers start in third grade and perform at Nordic Fest and other events through their high school graduation, representing 10 years’ commitment. Nordic Fest features traditional foods, antique show, arts and crafts, musical entertainment and Norse storytelling. Demonstrations include knife making , rosemaling , weaving and wood carving , together with other Norwegian folk art . There
210-726: A performance of his own touring ensemble so that he could attend a performance of the Luther College Concert Band, which was scheduled to appear in a nearby city. Sperati's foundation was built upon by Weston Noble '43, himself a student of Sperati. Following three years of U.S. Army enlistment in World War II , Noble returned to his alma mater to conduct the Concert Band and the Nordic Choir , direct Christmastime performances of George Frederic Handel's Messiah , and teach in
245-563: A priest in the Lutheran church that same year. He became a teacher in Tacoma, Washington in 1894, and he also worked at Pacific Lutheran University , where, among other events, he conducted a band that played on Mount Rainier . Sperati is best known for his work at Luther College, where he was a professor of music from 1905 to 1943. He conducted the Luther College Concert Band on tours in Europe and
280-634: A shallow area for swimming lessons, adaptive physical education classes, and water aerobics. Carlo Alberto Sperati Carlo Alberto Sperati (December 29, 1860 – September 12, 1945) was a Norwegian-American composer and music professor. Sperati was born in Kristiania (now Oslo), Norway , the son of the conductor Paolo Sperati . He went to sea in 1877, and then enrolled in theological studies at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa in 1884. He graduated in 1888. He married Emma Hoffoss in 1891 and became
315-527: Is a river run and grand parade with marchers in bunads , a traditional Norwegian folk costume . The festival concludes with a street dance and beverage garden with a band. Bands have included the Backhome Boys, the El Caminos, Gaelstorm and Three Beers til Dubuque. There is also a spectacular fireworks display that takes place over the river. Much on the Nordic Fest activities centers on Luther College and
350-625: Is an early music ensemble specializing in the music of the medieval , Renaissance , and baroque periods. The ensemble focuses more on instrumental works but incorporates vocal music throughout the academic year. The ensemble is open to singers of all years at Luther. The Vocal Jazz Ensemble is open to all students and often performs jointly with Luther's instrumental jazz ensembles. Symphony Orchestra, Jazz Orchestra, and Concert Band also tour internationally. Symphony Orchestra establishes residency in Vienna every four years, and Jazz Orchestra has toured in
385-513: Is broadcast nationwide each year. The concert broadcast is updated annually. Much of Luther's musical heritage can be attributed to the influence of two long-serving individuals. The 40-year tenure of Dr. Carlo A. Sperati, Class of 1888, fostered the college's Lutheran musical tradition beginning in 1905 and developed the Luther College Concert Band into one of the first nationally touring music ensembles. Sperati's Concert Band achieved national acclaim, and famed bandmaster John Philip Sousa canceled
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#1733085754871420-519: The Empire Brass , with college organist William Kuhlman, appeared in concert and recorded an album, Baroque Music for Brass and Organ , in the Center for Faith and Life. In 2008, musician Ben Folds appeared for his second time in concert at the Center for Faith and Life. Each year, between 400 and 500 Luther students participate in international study, ranking Luther among the top baccalaureate colleges in
455-743: The Upper Midwest . Until the seminary was established in 1861, students studied at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis , Missouri. On October 14, 1859, the Rev. Peter Laurentius Larsen was appointed professor to the Norwegian students at Concordia by the NELC. Upon the closing of the seminary in April 1861, at the start of the Civil War , the NELC decided to open its own college that fall in
490-535: The Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum . Norwegian immigrants to Decorah decided early on they wanted to preserve the old ways; in 1861, they established Luther College, and in 1877, they started a museum, Vesterheim, today a village of pioneer buildings that keeps traditions alive with year-round workshops and celebrations. The dorms of Luther College accommodate many of the visitors to Nordic Fest. Vesterheim provides viewing of Scandinavian art in
525-488: The Caribbean and Brazil. Concert Band travels internationally every five years and have visited countries such as Spain, Iceland, Norway, and more. Other instrumental ensembles include Chamber Orchestra, Philharmonia, Jazz Band, Symphonic Band, Brass Ensemble, among others. Luther students also participate in faculty-coached student chamber ensembles ranging from piano trios to a full flute choir. Some of these ensembles include
560-535: The Center for the Arts and Jenson-Noble Hall of Music. In 2021, the historic upper campus was listed as a historic district on the National Register of Historic Places. At the time of its nomination it consisted of 33 resources, which included 17 contributing buildings , four contributing objects , seven non-contributing buildings, and five non-contributing objects. One of the contributing buildings, Koren Hall ,
595-594: The Hauge Gallery of the Westby-Torgerson Education Center. There was no festival in 2020 as officials cited the COVID-19 pandemic as grounds for cancellation. 43°18′6″N 91°47′25″W / 43.30167°N 91.79028°W / 43.30167; -91.79028 Luther College (Iowa) Luther College is a private Lutheran liberal arts college in Decorah , Iowa. Established as
630-531: The Iowa Conference, Luther has won 237 IIAC/A-R-C titles. Three hundred thirty-eight All-American honors have been earned by Luther student-athletes, and twenty-nine athletes have been crowned national champions. Sixty-eight student-athletes have been awarded the CoSIDA Academic All-American honor, and forty-two have received the distinguished NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship. Since 1993–1994,
665-563: The Luther Ringers student handbell choir; the 40+ member Trombone Choir; five student-led, small-group a cappella ensembles; the Luther College Balalaika ensemble; and the student-led Luther Gospel Choir. In 1996, musician Dave Matthews appeared in concert with Tim Reynolds at Luther College in the Center for Faith and Life, which resulted in their 1999 album Dave Matthews and Tim Reynolds Live at Luther College . In 2002,
700-995: The Music Department. Noble's bands (which he conducted until 1973) and choirs completed coast-to-coast tours and international appearances. Ensembles under his direction performed solo concerts at such venues as Lincoln Center and Town Hall in New York ; the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC ; the Mormon Tabernacle in Salt Lake City ; Dorothy Chandler Pavilion and the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles ; Orchestra Hall at Symphony Center in Chicago ; Orchestra Hall and
735-954: The State Theatre in Minneapolis ; and the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts in Saint Paul . Under Noble's direction, Luther ensembles also appeared at historic cathedrals and concert halls throughout Europe, Russia, and Scandinavia, as well as on the programs of many national conventions of the American Bandmasters Association , the American Choral Directors Association , and the Music Educators National Conference. The Nordic Choir
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#1733085754871770-514: The building has nine stories costing approximately $ 7,000,000. In the 2000s, the college engaged in extensive building projects. A renovation of residence halls and the Dahl Centennial Union was completed in 2006, and Sampson Hoffland Laboratories, an extension of Valders Hall of Science, was completed in 2008. The Center for Faith and Life is Luther's largest and primary performing arts facility. Other performance areas on campus include
805-481: The classics and embraced the modern concept of the liberal arts education. Due to financial constraints associated with the Great Depression , the college decided to admit women as students in 1936. During the 1960s Luther constructed several new campus buildings and adopted a 4-1-4 semester schedule (two 4-month semesters with a 1-month session between them). In 1964, Luther's museum collection became separate from
840-537: The college and was established as the Norwegian-American Museum. Now known as Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum , it is the largest and most comprehensive museum in the United States devoted to a single immigrant group. Nordic Fest , started in 1967, grew from Luther College Women's Club's annual celebration of Norwegian Constitution Day . Luther lies at the edge of Decorah , a small town situated in
875-478: The college's four internationally touring ensembles, which have performed in many of the major concert halls and music centers of Europe, as well as Russia, China, Japan, Mexico, Brazil, and the Caribbean . About 40 percent of the students participate in at least one of the college's five choirs, two concert bands, two string orchestras, and two jazz ensembles. "Christmas at Luther," Luther's annual Christmas concert,
910-495: The competition site venue for wrestling. Norse basketball teams also have access to full-sized cedar basketball court in the north gym and two basketball courts in the Sports and Recreation Center. Sports and Recreation Center: newly renovated in 2022. Legends Fitness Center: 10,000-square-foot (930 m ) training center. The Aquatic Center features a 25-yard, eight-lane pool with separate one-meter and three-meter diving well and
945-435: The first year of the award, 1,929 academic all-conference honors have been earned by Luther student-athletes. To earn academic all-conference honors, a student-athlete must have a grade point average of 3.50 or greater on a 4.0 scale, have attended the school for a full year, and have competed in a varsity sport. Approximately 25 percent of Luther students participate in one of the 21 varsity sports offered. A large majority of
980-724: The hilly driftless region of the Upper Midwest . The Upper Iowa River flows through the lower portion of the nearly 200-acre (81 ha) central campus. The college owns an adjoining 800 acres (320 ha) devoted to environmental research, biological studies, and recreation. Luther student housing includes residence halls (Miller Hall, Dieseth Hall, Ylvisaker Hall, Farwell Hall, Brandt Hall, Larsen Hall, and Olson Hall) and several houses, townhouses, and apartment buildings. Ninety-five percent of Luther students live on campus all four years. Farwell, an upperclassmen dorm consisting of both double and single rooms housing 259 students, opened in 1991. Designed by Hammel, Green, & Abramson Inc.,
1015-415: The music director of the college and developed the Luther College Concert Band, founded in 1878, on the model of the wind ensemble pioneered by John Philip Sousa . Under Sperati, the band undertook several tours of Europe, their first in 1914, earning international acclaim for their musical talent. Sperati remained on the faculty until his death in 1945. In 1932, Luther College dropped its mandatory study of
1050-618: The nation for the percentage of students who study abroad prior to graduation—over two-thirds. Over the years, more than 150 Luther faculty have led Luther students on programs in more than 70 countries. The Luther Norse have been a member of the Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (now known as the American Rivers Conference (A-R-C) since its founding in 1922. Luther competes in 11 men's and 10 women's intercollegiate athletic programs. Since joining
1085-1280: The study body participates in intramural activities which vary by semester and is offered by the Recreational Services program. Outdoor Recreational Services is an extension of the Recreational Services program in which students/staff lead outdoor activities such as slacklining, kayak trips on the Upper Iowa River , fall break trips, rock climbing, and whitewater rafting. Carlson Stadium: 5,000 seats; blue turf football field; eight-lane, 400-meter polyurethane track with two-directional approaches for pole vault and all jumping events; two shot put circles; discus/hammer cage; and multi-directional javelin-throwing areas. Other outdoor facilities include 12 tennis courts, baseball and softball diamonds with enclosed dugouts, lighted soccer field, cross-country running course, intramural rugby, soccer, and ultimate frisbee pitches, fitness trail, ropes course, and room for cross country skiing. The Regents Center Main Gymnasium: three full-sized basketball courts and seating capacity for 2,600. Used for practice and playing of volleyball and men's and women's basketball, and as
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1120-578: Was featured in the film The Joy of Bach , and in four weekly international broadcasts of The Hour of Power from the Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove, California . Weston Noble retired from the faculty at the close of the academic year in 2005, having served continuously for 57 years, from 1948 to 2005. A new film documentary To This Day about the first international tour of the Nordic Choir in 1967
1155-651: Was individually listed on the National Register in 1984. Luther is an exclusively undergraduate institution, enrolling 1,744 students as of fall 2021 and employing 177 full-time faculty in 2015–2016. The college is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission . It is a member institution of the Associated Colleges of the Midwest and the Annapolis Group . Among private liberal arts colleges, Luther
1190-468: Was ranked 102nd by the 2021 edition of U.S. News & World Report ' s college and university rankings. Tuition and fees are shown as $ 61,500 for 2023–2024, with 98 percent of students receiving need- and/or merit-based financial aid. Its most popular majors, by 2021 graduates, were: Luther has a number of music organizations that tour and sell recordings internationally. The Nordic Choir, Concert Band, Symphony Orchestra and Jazz Orchestra are
1225-554: Was released in October 2017. The Nordic Choir, which tours internationally, is one of the five choral ensembles at Luther. Collegiate Chorale is a SATB choir composed of upperclassmen and Cathedral Choir is a SATB choir composed of sophomores only. Aurora and Norskkor, featuring soprano-alto and tenor-bass voices, respectively, are composed entirely of first-year students. In addition to the five choirs, students have opportunities with Collegium Musicum and Vocal Jazz Ensemble. Collegium Musicum
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