Festival of Music

Christopher Herrick,

Concert Organist – October 21, 2012

United Kingdom

ONE OF EUROPE’S most acclaimed organists is 62-year-old Christopher Herrick.
Formerly of Westminster Abbey, Mr. Herrick now performs all over the world, his
playing universally praised for its clarity, brilliance and apparent ease. He
has recorded for a number of labels, including Decca, Virgin Classics and
Hyperion — for which has made more than 30 CDs, including the complete works of
Bach and the popular 10-CD Organ Fireworks series.

During Herrick’s ten years at Westminster Abbey he played for many Royal and
State occasions, including the state funeral of Lord Mountbatten, the funeral
service for Herbert Howells, and for both the 80th birthday concert and the
funeral service for Sir William Walton.

Since 1984, he has enjoyed a highly successful career as an international concert organist. Highlights
include his own ‘Organ Prom’ in the BBC Henry Wood Promenade Concerts at the
Royal Albert Hall, giving the opening concert at the Stockholm International
Organ Festival and three inaugural concerts on the Rieger organ in Christchurch
Town Hall, New Zealand, as well as dedicating numerous organs in North America,
including the Létourneau organ at Edmonton’s Winspear Centre Concert Hall.

Luther College Piano Quartet – November 18, 2012

The Luther College Piano Quartet was formed in 2008, and is quickly finding acclaim in the Midwest  and beyond.  Its debut CD, featuring works by Beethoven, Brahms, and Brooke Joyce, was released last fall in  conjunction with Luther College’s sesquicentennial.

Violinist Tarn Travers has performed throughout the US, Europe, and Japan both as a soloist and as a chamber musician. In 2001, he was a prizewinner at the Heifetz Guarneri auditions, which led to a performance on the historic “ex-David” Guarneri, the favored violin of Jascha Heifetz. Travers spent three seasons as a violinist with the  New World Symphony.  Travers holds degrees from the Cleveland Institute of Music and the San Francisco Conservatory.  He joined the faculty of Luther College in August, 2010.

Spencer Martin has been on the music faculty of Luther College since 2002.  He has appeared as guest violist with the Pro Arte String Quartet and the Amelia Piano Trio, served as  Principal Violist in the Tuscaloosa Symphony, and also frequently performed in the viola sections of the Minnesota, the Alabama, and the Wichita Symphony Orchestras.  His  performances have been featured in NPR, CBC, and MPR radio broadcasts.  Martin holds degrees from the University  of Minnesota, Wichita State University, and Butler University.

Cellist Eric Kutz has captivated audiences across both North America and Europe.  He has been on the Luther College faculty since 2002 and he is active as a teacher, a chamber musician, an orchestral musician, and a soloist.  Kutz is also a member of the Murasaki Duo, a cello and piano ensemble that is in residence at Luther College.  The Duo released its debut compact disc on the Centaur Records label; and it regularly performs on chamber music series throughout the nation.  Kutz has been broadcast live on WQXR and WNYC, both of New  York City, WFMT Chicago, as well as nationally on PBS television’s Live from Lincoln Center.  Kutz holds degrees from the Juilliard School and Rice University.

Pianist Miko Kominami joined the Luther College piano faculty in 2002.  She has concertized extensively throughout North America, including performances in New York City, Los  Angeles, Chicago, Minneapolis, Boston, and Toronto, both as a soloist and a collaborator with other artists.  As a concerto soloist, she has appeared with orchestras in Connecticut, Indiana, Illinois, and Iowa. In addition to her work at Luther College, Kominami is currently the Principal Keyboardist of Orchestra Iowa.  She also performs regularly throughout North America with the Murasaki Duo, a cello/piano ensemble in residence at Luther College.  Kominami holds degrees from the Juilliard School in New York City.

The Copper Street Brass Quintet – February 10, 2013

Minneapolis, MN

These five brilliant young musicians may have dozens of recitals, a few hundred jazz gigs and countless concerts between them, but they’ve also got style, substance, and a flair for innovation. Born in Albuquerque, New Mexico in 2007, The Copper Street Brass Quintet set up shop in Minneapolis, Minnesota in 2008 where, through their inventive concerts, engaging classroom programs, and a host of original arrangements, they’ve transcended the brass quintet box and evolved into something fresh.

The group has recorded three albums and has been featured on Minnesota Public Radio, KARE 11 news and Montana Today. Their two newest albums, “Christmas on Copper Street” and “The Evolution of the Brass Quintet” feature all-new recordings of everything from Tchaikovsky’s “Nutcracker Suite” to Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’”.

From performing at intimate concert series venues to elementary school auditoriums packed with kids, the quintet has seen it all and can do it all.

Lee Afdahl and Friends – March 17, 2013

Back by popular demand, Lee Afdahl, Director of Music and Organist of First Presbyterian Church of Rochester, is presenting his annual program showcasing regional musicians.  Lee is a graduate of Luther College and his graduate work was at the University of Michigan.  He has performed concerts and directed choirs for over 40 years.  He is a published composer of choral and handbell music and is a frequent clinician and conductor of handbell and choral festivals.  He will be joined by friends…to be announced.

Embellish, A Handbell Ensemble – April 14, 2013

Stephanie Wiltse, Conductor

Grand Rapids, MI

Embellish is a community handbell ensemble representing the greater Grand Rapids Michigan area.  Embellish was founded in the fall of 1995 to be a professional level group that  promotes the art of handbell ringing by providing a high quality musical experience for diverse audiences.