DECORAH, IA (12/22/2014)(readMedia)-- Samantha Eilers of Geneseo, Illinois is a member of the Luther College 2014-15 Nordic Choir music ensemble.
Eilers is the daughter of Walter and Beth Eilers of Geneseo. She is majoring in music at Luther. Eilers is a 2011 graduate of Geneseo High School.
Nordic Choir, founded in 1946, enjoys national and international acclaim as a premier collegiate choral ensemble in the United States. Nordic Choir is directed by Allen Hightower, director of choral activities at Luther College since 2010. Nordic Choir has toured extensively throughout the United States, performing in churches of all denominations, schools and concerts halls, including Lincoln Center, New York; Kennedy Center, Washington, D.C.; and the Mormon Tabernacle, Salt Lake City.
Allen Hightower serves as Luther's Director of Choral Activities, as well as the director of Nordic Choir and the artistic director of "Christmas at Luther." He was recently appointed the first Weston Noble Endowed Chair in Music. Hightower earned an undergraduate degree in music education from Sam Houston State University, a master's degree in choral conducting from the Eastman School of Music, a master's degree in orchestral conducting from Baylor University and a doctorate in conducting from UCLA.
Luther is home to one of the largest collegiate music programs in the nation with six choirs, three orchestras, three bands, two jazz bands and nearly 1,000 student musicians. Luther students participate in large ensembles, faculty-coached chamber groups, private lessons and master classes. More than 350 music majors study music theory, ear training, history, education, composition, church music and performance.
