Luther’s Christmas concerts unite the community and students

Cedar Rapids, Iowa – Christmas at Luther is an annual event organized by the music department of Luther College.

For a special Christmas edition of Our Town Decorah, we went to the university.

Every December, Christmas at Luther ushers in the holiday season.

All semester long, student ensembles get ready to play four shows for sold-out audiences.

Senior Cam Moll is the Luther Ringers’ artistic director and a music education student.

Even though we’re used to performing there, Moll said, “It’s really amazing to just be in that space, and to see every seat full is just really a special thing.”

Not all Luther students are pursuing music as a career, even if one-third of them participate in it.
After seeing it last year, sophomore Nate Dennis, a double major in International Studies and Data Sciences, is taking part in his first Christmas at Luther concert.

Dennis remarked, “I cried a little bit during some of the songs because it was such a powerful moment and I just loved hearing the choirs. It was just so magical.”

Marie Mullin, a senior studying biology, participates in several ensembles.

For me, music serves as a stress reliever. I simply enjoy doing it, and since I’m a part of these ensembles, I’ve met a lot of friends that I definitely wouldn’t have at a larger university,” Mullin said.

Every year, between 8 and 10,000 people visit Luther to celebrate Christmas.

There is an online on-demand stream for individuals who were unable to attend a concert this year. Until January 2nd, on-demand streaming will be accessible.

Students from a wide range of backgrounds come together through music.

Andrew Last, Luther College’s Director of Choral Activities, stated, “I think for a lot of students who come to Luther it’s a place to be a music major but also to continue in the sciences, or theater, or communications and still kind of maintain that participation in music at a really high level.”

Every year around Christmas, the concerts also serve to unite the neighborhood.