AURORA - REPERTOIRE LIST - 1992-present
Luther College, Decorah, Iowa
Dr. Sandra Peter, conductor
(updated August, 2012)
Aurora is one of six auditioned choral ensembles at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa. Established in 1981, the group is comprised offirst-year women, selected each fall by audition. They perform on and off-campus for worship services, participate in the annual Christmas at Luther concert and Dorian Vocal Festival, and present a spring concert with the Norsemen, Luther’s choral ensemble for first-year men. The choir has also participated in Luther performances of major choral/orchestral works, such as Beethoven’s Mass in C major and Bach’s The Passion according to St. John.
Conducted by Dr. Sandra Peter since 1992, Aurora has performed at five of the past eight North Central American Choral Directors Association conferences. The ensemble is featured on an instructional DVD accompanying the book, Conducting women’s choirs: strategies for success, forthcoming by GIA Publications. Aurora recordings, Finding a voice (2006) and Using our voice (2010), are available through iTunes, Amazon and Luther College.
Actively involved in the process of creating new music, Aurora has premiered works by composers such as Libby Larsen, Ola Gjeilo, Jocelyn Hagen, Shawn Kirchner, Kevin Jay Isaacs, AbbieBetinis, Gwyneth Walker, Mack Wilberg, Daniel Kallman, Ben Allaway and Melba Williamson. The choir has been a member of the ACDA Women’s Commissioning Consortium since 2009.
The word Aurora, Latin for dawn, represents the first light of day, or for these women, the beginning of their college experience and journey as independent scholars.
Pike Kor was the name of this ensemble from the mid-1980s until the spring of 2008.
AURORA 2011-12
Mary speaksDaniel Gawthrop
EatnemenVuelie (Fairest Lord Jesus)FrodeFjellheim
O luxbeatissimaJoan Szymko
Love came down at ChristmasEdwin Fissinger, arr. Mary Kay Geston
Puer qui natusestSulpitiaCesis
The Gartan Mother’s Lullabyarr. Sandra Peter and Kathryn Lillich
EsimanoolayHenolyOmwanaSakariLöytti, adapted for SSAA by SP
This is my Father’s worldMike Paslay
O moon goddess (premiere)Jocelyn Hagen
(ACDA Consortium)
LeshanaHaba’abiYerushalayim (premiere)Hebrew folk song, arr. Shawn Kirchner
(ACDA Consortium)
With Norsemen:
Make me an instrument of thy peaceMary McDonald
Ye shall have a songRandall Thompson
Blue skiesIrving Berlin, arr. Melba Williamson
Special events:
Performance at the North Central American Choral Directors Association convention in Madison, Wisconsin; February, 2012
Residency with Jocelyn Hagen on “Moon goddess,” April, 2012
Aurora recordings, Finding a voice and Using our voice are now available online (iTunes, Amazon, Spotify).
AURORA – 2010-11
Lift thine eyes (Elijah)Felix Mendelssohn
i thank you GodGwyneth Walker
Sing a new songMichael Mendoza
Ring out, wild bells!Bradley Ellingboe
With Luther Ringers
Angels’ CarolJohn Rutter
With Cantorei, LCSO
Linda Martin, conductor
Tundra (premiere)Ola Gjeilo
(ACDA Consortium)
Gratiasagimustibi/Propter magnamAntonio Vivaldi
(Gloria, RV 589)
Today, this springLibby Larsen
- Today, this spring
- She piped for us
- If I can stop one beart from breaking
Were you there?Arr. Melba Williamson, Sandra Peter
TreputemartelaVaclovasAugustinas
With Norsemen:
Lift up your headsarr. Olaf C. Christiansen
Finale from The GondoliersGilbert and Sullivan
Special events:
Fall release of Using our voice compact disc
Spring video recording for an instructional DVD accompanying the book, Conducting women’s choir: strategies for success, forthcoming by GIA Publications
AURORA – 2009-2010
In the time of Noah (from Three Alleluias) Amy Kucera
Now I become myself Gwyneth Walker
Steal away arr. James McKelvy
O magnum mysteriumGuy Forbes
O come, o come, Emmanuel (premiere) arr. Sandra Peter
Alleluia Paul Basler
Kyrie AgnetaSkøld
Mir lächeltkeinFrühlingJohannes Brahms
Friends Bob Chilcott
The Gartan Mother’s Lullaby (premiere) arr. Kathryn Lillich, S. Peter
Ezekiel saw de wheel arr. J. David Moore
With Norsemen:
Make me an instrument of thy peace Mary McDonald
When in our music God is glorified arr. Harriet Ziegenhals
Accentuate the positive (premiere) Johnny Mercer,
arr. Melba Williamson
Special events:
Joined the ACDA Women’s Commissioning Consortium
AURORA – 2008-09
TotapulchraesMaurice Duruflé
Out of the morningDaniel Hall
Let all the world in every corner singDaniel Kallman
A Ceremony of CarolsBenjamin Britten
As dew in Aprille
This little babe
Candlelight CarolJohn Rutter
(withCantorei)
DayBreakStephen Paulus
Prayer for the giftsKinley Lange
Hoj, hura, hojOtmarMachá
Ubi caritasOla Gjeilo
Jack’s ValentineLibby Larsen
America the beautifulSamuel Ward, arr. Nancy Grundahl
Music down in my soularr. Moses Hogan
With Norsemen:
One faith, one hope, one LordCraig Courtney
Ye shall have a song Randall Thompson
(The Peaceable Kingdom)
True LightKeith Hampton
Special events:
Christmas at Luther was taped by Twin Cities Public Television and broadcast nationwide.
Aurora and Norsemen participated in a workshop with the Harlem Gospel Choir in February.
Aurora completed recording tracks for their second CD, Using our voice.
PIKE KOR - 2007-08
Magnificat RV610Antonio Vivaldi
Will there really be a “morning?”Craig Hella Johnson
Esto les digoKinley Lange
Hail! Christmas dayAbbieBetinis
Patapan (premiere)arr. Sandra Peter
O frondensvirga (premiere)Kevin Isaacs
Text by Hildegard von Bingen
The womanly song of GodLibby Larsen
With Norsemen:
Come, Thou fount of every blessingarr. Paul Satre
Blue skiesIrving Berlin, arr. Melba Williamson
Special events:
Commissioned and premiered “O frondensvirga” by Kevin Isaacs
Premiered the SSAA version of AbbieBetinis’ “Hail, Christmas Day!”
Performance at the North Central American Choral Directors Association convention in Fargo, North Dakota; March, 2008
Changed name of ensemble to Aurora; spring, 2008
PIKE KOR - 2006-07
Things that never dieLee Dengler
Mouth Musicarr. Dolores Keane/John Faulkner
A Psalm of praiseEleanor Daley
Love came down at ChristmasEdwin Fissinger, arr. Mary Kay Geston
Tomorrow shall be my dancing dayJohn Rutter
Sarah (from Women of valor)Andrea Clearfield
To joyDaniel Kallman
There will be restDaniel Kallman
Prayer of the Norwegian childRichard Kountz
With Norsemen:
Let Thy holy presencePavelTschnesokoff
Lord, listen to your children prayingKen Medema
Finale from The GondoliersGilbert & Sullivan
With Norsemen, Nordic, Symphony Orchestra:
Mass in C majorLudwig van Beethoven
With the Pike Kor/Norsemen 25th anniversary alumni choir:
I thank you GodGwyneth Walker
I dream a worldAndre Thomas
Special events:
November---Performed with Ken Medema for Church Youth Sunday
February---Residency of Andrea Clearfield; sang “Sarah” when Andrea spoke for chapel
March---Performed Beethoven’s Mass in C major on campus and in the Twin Cities
April---Celebrated the 25th anniversary of Pike Kor/Norsemen at our spring concert
PIKE KOR - 2005-06
O come, let us singEgilHovland
ÜberlebensgrossStephen Hatfield
View me, Lord, a work of thineJackson Berkey
Kyrie/GloriaAgnetaSköld
A Christmas alleluiaarr. Undine Smith Moore
Maria Magdalena etaltera MariaSulpitiaCesis
Canticle to the spiritEleanor Daley
Fruits of the selfless heartElizabeth Atkinson
AlleluiaRandall Thompson
The bike let looseEdie Hill
Now I become myselfGwyneth Walker
Jack’s ValentineLibby Larsen
My funny valentinearr. Kirby Shaw
With Norsemen:
O filiietfiliaeVolckmarLeisring
Clap your handsGeorge Gershwin
Special events:
Christmas at Luther was recorded by Iowa Public Television.
Performed for the Nobel Peace Prize Forum, hosted by Luther in March, 2006
Sunday services at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Faribault, MN and a joint concert with choirs from Northfield Middle and High School (in their new school auditorium), Northfield, MN; March, 2006
Fall, 2006 release of Pike Kor’s first CD: Finding a voice
PIKE KOR - 2004-05
Ubi caritasEleanor Daley
My God is a rockarr. Daniel Kallman
Natusest EmmanuelLibby Larsen
Commissioned for Pike Kor, Christmas at Luther 2004
The Moon of WintertimeGeorge Mabry
The Day of HopeCarol Barnett
Commissioned by Augsburg College for the 2005 Nobel Peace Prize Forum
Dona nobispacemGiulioCaccini, arr. James A. Moore
LaetaminietexultateAdriano Banchieri
Were you there?arr. Melba Williamson & Sandra Peter
Mary SpeaksDaniel Gawthrop
A young nun, singing(premiere)Libby Larsen
Are You Sleeping, Brother John?arr. JormaPanula
With Norsemen:
Rejoice in God Heinrich Schütz, arr. Nancy Grundahl
Prayer for peaceDavid Cherwien
Gloria (from The Masque of Angels)Dominick Argento
Finale from the GondoliersGilbert & Sullivan
Special events;
Commissioned and premiered “Natusest Emmanuel” by Libby Larsen for Christmas at Luther 2004; Libby worked with us during her October 28-29, 2004 residency at Luther
WomanVoice concert on February 13, 2005; several area women’s choirs will premiere “The Day of Hope” by Carol Barnett; Central Lutheran Church, Minneapolis, MN
Worship service at Central Lutheran Church, Minneapolis
PIKE KOR - 2003-04
In the time of Noah (from Three Alleluias)Amy Kucera
Love is a rain of diamondsGwyneth Walker
Lord, listen to your childrenKen Medema, arr. Jack Schrader
Canticle to the spiritEleanor Daley
Angelus ad pastoresSulpitiaCesis
What sweeter musicEleanor Daley
Wondrous Lovearr. Paul J. Christiansen
Jack’s ValentineLibby Larsen
Les SirènesLili Boulanger
In the MoodJoe Garland, arr. Harry Simeone
Were you therearr. Melba Williamson & Sandra Peter
LaetaminietexultateAdriano Bancheiri
La LluviaStephen Hatfield
Music down in my soulMoses Hogan
With Norsemen:
Then we shall sing for joyBradley Ellingboe
The water is widearr. Rene Clausen
Bile them cabbage downarr. Mack Wilberg
Special events:
Performance at the North Central American Choral Directors convention, Washington Pavilion, Sioux Falls, SD; March 4, 2004
PIKE KOR - 2002-03
LuxaeternaZ. Randall Stroope
i thank you GodGwyneth Walker
Set me as a sealRené Clausen
Lord, listen to your childrenKen Medema, arr. Jack Schrader
Angelus ad pastoresaitDaniel Pinkham
Come and Beholdarr. Sandra Peter
Magnificat, RV 610Antonio Vivaldi
PueriHebraeorumRandall Thompson
Day SongLibby Larsen
My Funny Valentinearr. Kirby Shaw
Love is a rain of diamondsGwyneth Walker
With Norsemen:
Let Thy holy presencePavelTschesnokoff
Make me an instrument of Thy peaceMary McDonald
Special events:
Black dresses were purchased from Southeastern Apparel and worn for the first time at the Christmas concerts. Pike Kor wore them throughout the year and will continue with that style in the future. The cream robes are now retired.
Christmas at Luther was taped for Iowa Public Television and broadcast nationwide.
Tour (with Norsemen) to St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church, Mahtomedi, MN. We sang for three worship services on Sunday, March 9, 2003.
The Magnificat, RV 610 by Vivaldi marks our first collaboration with an instrumental ensemble for an extended work (15 minutes). At the spring concert, the String Orchestra, Spencer Martin, conductor, joined us, with Kathryn Reed-Maxfield on harpsichord.
PIKE KOR - 2001-02
Cantate DominoRuth Watson Henderson
In the Time of Noah (from Three Alleluias)Amy Kucera
There is no roseZ. Randall Stroope
Gloria in altissimis DeiChiara Margarita Cozzolani
Canticle to the SpiritEleanor Daley
Ave verumKatherine Dienes
Paremusnos, fidelesIsabella Leonarda
Shenandoaharr. William Lycan
Hoj, hurahojOtmarMacha
Lord, keep us steadfast in thy wordarr. Kenneth Jennings
Ride On, King Jesusarr. Moses Hogan
Les SirènesLili Boulanger
With Norsemen:
One Faith, One Hope, One LordCraig Courtney
O filiietfiliaeVolckmarLeisring
The Sound of Music medley/sing-along (for DVF)Rodgers & Hammerstein
Special events:
Pike Kor/Norsemen sang for the second semester Opening Convocation.
Tour (with Norsemen) to St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church, Mahtomedi, MN. They sang for about 4000 people that morning at three worship services.
Pike Kor and Cantorei (upperclass women’s choir) presented a chapel service together on April 16.
PIKE KOR - 2000-01
Kirstina Rasmussen, conductor (Sandra Peter was on leave for the year)
AlleluiaEmma Lou Diemer
Zion’s WallsAaron Copland, arr. Glen Koponen
Ave verum corpusImantRaminsh
As dew in Aprille, This little babeBenjamin Britten
(fromCeremony of Carols)
HosannaDavid Conte
Fragments from the MassEmma Lou Diemer
AdoramusteJosef Rheinberger
To be sung on the waterSamuel Barber
Evening SongZoltan Kodaly
Túrótëszik a cigány (See the gipsies)Zoltan Kodaly
Ezekiel saw de wheelarr. J. David Moore
With Norsemen:
It’s a grand night for singingRodgers & Hammerstein
Jubilate DeoDale Wood
Keep your lamps!Andre Thomas
Norsemen was conducted by Michael Culloton during the spring semester, while Tim Peter was on a sabbatical.
PIKE KOR - 1999-2000
Let All the World in Every Corner SingDaniel Kallman
SanctusAndré Caplet
O come, let us sing (Psalm 95)EgilHovland
I Thank You GodGwyneth Walker
MissaBrevis in DBenjamin Britten
Gloria - for Juletide
Sanctus - for NC-ACDA convention
complete - for spring concert
There is no roseEleanor Daley
Today, This SpringLibby Larsen
3. If I can stop one heart from breaking
Steal Awayarr. James McKelvy
Michael (world premiere)Matthew Erpelding (Luther ‘00)
With Norsemen:
O filiietfiliaeVolckmarLeisring
Sanctus (from Mass)Leonard Bernstein
Sanctus (from Requiem)Maurice Duruflé
Sanctus (world premiere)GyörgyOrbán
Sanctus (from Gospel Mass)Robert Ray
Chorales from The Passion according to St. JohnJ. S. Bach
Special events:
Juletide was recorded and broadcast on Iowa Public Television and across the nation.
Performance at NC-ACDA regional convention, Madison, Wisconsin
Saturday, March 4, 2000 - with Norsemen and two choirs from Mpls.
Inauguration of President Richard Torgerson - April 15, 2000
The Passion according to Saint John by J. S. Bach - with Norsemen, Nordic Choir
PIKE KOR - 1998-99
Let All the World in Every Corner SingSven Lekberg
FriendsBob Chilcott
Psalm 121Charles Callahan
Ave verum corpusFrancis Poulenc
VirginesprudentesJacob Handl
Gladsome Light (in Russian)PavelChesnokov
TotapulchraesMaurice Durufle
Mary SpeaksDaniel Gawthrop
Mary Magdalena at the TombHugh Thomas
Are You Sleeping, Brother John?arr. JormaPanula
Punching the Dougharr. Alice Parker
Inscription of HopeZ. Randall Stroope
With Norsemen:
Carol to BeautyJames Mulholland
Let Thy Holy PresencePavelTschesnokoff
Route 66Bobby Troup
Let the People Praise Thee, O GodWilliam Mathias
The Promise of Living (Tender Land)Aaron Copland
Special Event:
Tour (with Norsemen) to Faith Lutheran Church, Clive, Iowa (concert and services)
The Pike Kor/Norsemen spring concert served as Sandra Peter’s qualifying recital for her D.M.A. in choral conducting from the University of Iowa.
PIKE KOR - 1997-98
Sing a New SongMichael Mendoza
Poor Wayfaring Strangerarr. Lee Bratton
Hark, I Hear the Harps EternalAlice Parker/Jim Rodde
O RegemcoeliTomas de Luis Victoria
Oh, the Savior's Comin', Hallelu!arr. Uzee Brown Jr.
O Come, Let Us SingEgilHovland
Gloria (from MissaBrevis)Ron Jeffers
AdoramusteJohannes Brahms
We Sing to SpringClaude Debussy
Life Has Loveliness to SellJames Mulholland
With Norsemen:
Praise Ye the LordEmma Lou Diemer
Lord, Whose Love in Humble Servicearr. Dan Kallman
Rejoice in the LambBenjamin Britten
Special Events:
NC-ACDA Regional convention, Central Lutheran Church, Minneapolis (church event)
A Noble Celebration (mass choirs with Sir David Willcocks)
Rejoice Today with One Accord/O Praise God in His Holiness arr. Willcocks
PIKE KOR REPERTOIRE - 1996-97
Confitemini DominoAlessandro Constantini
O viriditasdigiti DeiHildegard von Bingen
Columba aspexit"
Set Me as a SealRene Clausen
RefugeLibby Larsen
Quiet Solitudearr. Carl-BertilAgnestig
Ezekiel saw de Wheelarr. J. David Moore
Are You Sleeping, Brother John?arr. JormaPanula
Rise Up, My LoveEleanor Daley
AlleluiaRandall Thompson
Lift Up Your HeadsHugo Distler
Wondrous LovePaul J. Christiansen
This is My Father's WorldMike Paslay
Instruments of PraiseAllen Koepke
With Norsemen:
This is the DayCharles Callahan
Come, I Pray TheeCharles Callahan
Every Time I Feel the Spiritarr. Dawson
Special Events:
Inauguration of President Jeffrey Baker - fall, 1996
Perform with Cecilia’s Circle (early music group); workshop with Janet Youngdahl
Tour (with Norsemen) to Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church, Apple Valley, MN
PIKE KOR REPERTOIRE - 1995-96
Psalm 100Rene Clausen
Danny Boyarr. Dede Duson
O Holy LordPeter Tschaikovsky
The Holly and the IvyJohn Gardner
Prayer of St. FrancisImantRaminsh
KyrieAgnetaSköld
King of Glory, King of PeaceWilliam Harris
This Little Light of Minearr. Marvin Curtis
Hold Onarr. Clifton J. Noble Jr.
HotaruKoiRo Ogura
Os JustiEleanor Daley
With Norsemen:
One Faith, One Hope, One LordCraig Courtney
Finale to The GondoliersGilbert & Sullivan
Special Events:
Juletide was recorded and broadcast on Iowa Public Television for the first time
Tour (with Norsemen) to St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church, Mahtomedi, MN
The Passion according to St. JohnJ. S. Bach
--performed the chorales with Norsemen
--Weston Noble, conductor; Nordic Choir, professional orchestra and soloists
PIKE KOR REPERTOIRE - 1994-95
Let All the World In Every Corner Sing Sven Lekberg
The Eyes of All Wait Upon Thee Robert Edward Smith
Life Has Loveliness to Sell James Mulholland
Coventry Carol arr. Howard Cable
Go Down, Moses Mark Hayes
See the Gypsies Zoltan Kodaly
The Angels and the Shepherds Zoltan Kodaly
LaudateDominum Wolfgang Mozart
Seek Ye the Lord Knut Nystedt
Prayer of St. Francis ImantRaminsh
How Excellent is Thy Name Audrey Snyder
Wondrous Love Paul J. Christiansen
Steal Away arr. James McKelvy
With Norsemen:
Give Me Jesus arr. L.L. Fleming
Ride on, King Jesus arr. L.L. Fleming
Special Events:
The Creation of the World (premiere)Daniel Pinkham
---with the Philadelphia Brass; D. Pinkham present
Village Dances (with LC Chamber Orchestra)Bela Bartok
PIKE KOR REPERTOIRE - 1993-94
The Second Song of Isaiah Charles Callahan
Father, We Praise Thee arr. Carolyn Jennings
Glory to God Rachmaninoff, arr. Oscar Overby
Ballad of Befana KirkeMecham
Nigra Sum Pablo Casals
Honor, Honor arr. James Laster
Confitemini Domino A. Constantini
Totapulchraes M. Durufle
Bow Down Thine Ear EgilHovland
Ave Maria Gustav Holst
This is My Father’s World Mike Paslay
With Norsemen:
Not For Tongues of Heaven’s Angels Roy Hopp
Irving Berlin Medley - Got The Sun In the Morningarr. Melba Williamson
- Top Hat
- Blue Skies
A Choral Fanfare Leland Sateren
O Creator, God of Glory arr. Dan Kallman
PIKE KOR REPERTOIRE - 1992-93