Wartburg Choir

Directors: Ernst Heist 35-37

Dr. Edwin Liemohn 37-68

Dr. James Fritschel 68-84

Dr. Paul Torkelson 84-09
Dr. Lee Nelson 09-present

The Wartburg Choir was founded by Ernst Heist in 1935. Under Dr. Edwin Liemohn’s direction, the choir became one of the first American College choirs to perform on a European tour.

Dr. James Fritschel continued the tradition of excellence from 68-84 by increasing their international exposure. While under the direction of Dr. Fritschel, the choir became the only American choir to win the International Trophy Competition in Cork, Ireland. Fritschel was also a nationally known composer and had been published by many companies. After leaving Wartburg, he became the director of the California Lutheran University Choir.

Under Dr. Paul Torkelson’s direction, he led the choir at two solo concerts in New York City’s Carnegie Hall, two concerts at Avery Fisher Hall in Lincoln Center, a concert in Orchestra hall in Minneapolis and the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.

Beginning in 2009, Dr. Lee Nelson will become the director of the choir. In 2005, he won the first-place award in the graduate division of the American Choral Directors Association National Conducting Competition.

Choir performance highlights can be found at this link: http://www.wartburg.edu/choir/highlights.html

Castle Singers

Directors: Dr. E. Arne Hovdesven 50-59

Dr. James Fritschel 59-71

Franklin Williams 71-78, 81-84

Kristi Becker 78-80

Eugene T. Wilson 80-81

Gayle Hartwig 84-87

Dr. Paul Torkelson 87-01

Dr. Jane Andrews 01-present

The group founded by Dr. E. Arne Hovdesven, was created in 1950 carrying the name of the Chapel Choir. During Dr. James Fritschel’s tenure, the group’s name changed to Wartburg Castle Singers, and the focus of the group became music and drama. During Franklin William’s tenure, the group traveled to the former U.S.S.R.

In 1987, Dr. Paul Torkelson helped give the group stability and built on its traditions and performance experiences. During his tenure the group made several trips abroad including Western Europe and Australia.

Since Dr. Jane Andrews tenure beginning in 2001, she has brought the group to new levels of jazz performance. She started the Wartburg Vocal Jazz Festival. During her time at Wartburg, she has led the group at numerous local, state, and regional events.

Castle singer performance highlights can be found at http://www.wartburg.edu/singers/history.html.

St. Elizabeth’s Chorale

Directors: Matthew Armstrong 97-98

Eileen Farrell 98-00

Kathleen Osburn 00-01

Dr. Jane Andrews 01-present

The St. Elizabeth Chorale takes its name from a famous resident of the college's namesake, the Wartburg Castle in Eisenach, Germany. Elizabeth (1207-1231) lived at the castle as the wife of a Thuringian landgrave. Inspired by the teachings of her contemporary, St. Francis, she left the castle after her husband's death and became Germany's first female Franciscan. She was canonized in 1235.

During Elizabeth's time at the castle, she carried on an active ministry to the less fortunate. According to legend, she smuggled bread from the castle kitchen for the poor. Because the practice was forbidden, she hid the food in her robe. On one such trip, suspicious courtiers accosted Elizabeth and demanded that she open her robe. When she complied, roses had appeared in place of the bread. Today, Wartburg College hosts a service week dedicated to her memory, and roses are a college symbol of service and faith.

Ritterchor

The Ritterchor (Knight's Choir) honors the Wartburg Castle, where Martin Luther once lived disguised as a knight.

Founded in 1997 by professor Matthew Armstrong, Ritterchor is open by audition to all men on the Wartburg College campus. The group performs a variety of literature for events on and off campus.

From 1998-2003 and again from 2007 to the present the group has performed in Wartburg's annual holiday festival, Christmas with Wartburg. Dr. Paul Torkelson was conductor of the group from 2002-2009. Dr. Lee Nelson is now the current director.