DECORAH, IA (12/22/2014)(readMedia)-- Daniel Melaas-Swanson of Port Byron, Illinois is a member of the Luther College 2014-15 Norsemen music ensemble.
Melaas-Swanson is the son of Wayne Melaas-Swanson and the late Barbara Melaas-Swanson of Port Byron. He is majoring in music at Luther. He is a 2014 graduate of Riverdale High School.
Norsemen is one of six auditioned choral ensembles at Luther College. Established in 1981, the group is comprised of first-year men, selected each fall and spring by audition. They perform in worship services on and off-campus, participate in the annual Christmas at Luther concert and Dorian Vocal Festival, and present a spring concert with Aurora, Luther's choral ensemble for first-year women.
Andrew Last is the conductor of Norsemen and Collegiate Chorale at Luther College. Last earned a bachelor of arts degree in music education from Luther College, a master in music in choral conducting from Northern Arizona University and a doctor in music arts in choral conducting from University of Nebraska-Lincoln School of Music.
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.
