Dane Nygaard of Wesley is a sophomore majoring in music education at Luther. Nygaard plays the bass trombone in Concert Band and traveled to Japan this summer with the band. Submitted photos.
DECORAH—Luther College student Dane Nygaard of Wesley experienced the culture, food, history and architecture of Japan this summer as part of the Luther College Concert Band’s international tour.
“It was fun experiencing the culture of Japan. The music we witnessed was impressive and getting to perform around the country was amazing,” Nygaard said. “This was the best tour.”
Nygaard is a sophomore majoring in music education at Luther. Nygaard plays the bass trombone in Concert Band.
Concert Band, which is made up of 60 Luther students, performed in Kyoto, Hakone, Nagoya and Tokyo between May 28 and June 9. The ensemble performed in several exchange concerts with musicians from four high school bands and one university band. The tour included many culturally significant stops, such as Mount Fuji, Lake Ashi and the Fushimi Inari Shrine.
International tours provide an opportunity for Luther students to experience the diversity of music throughout the world. The last time the Concert Band traveled to Japan was in 2010.
“Japan, specifically, is a band powerhouse. Their appreciation for the art form of ‘band’ is world-renowned,” said Cory Near, director of Concert Band. “Our students experienced just a sliver of that reputation. Additionally, the experience of sharing music, a truly universal language, was extremely rewarding.”
At left: Luther College student Dane Nygaard of Wesley experienced the culture, food, history and architecture of Japan this summer as part of the Luther College Concert Band’s international tour.
Concert Band is Luther College’s principal band ensemble. The band was formed in 1878, laying the foundation of what would become the college’s long-standing tradition of musical excellence.
Concert Band is now one of the oldest touring organizations in the nation and ranks among the country’s outstanding undergraduate college bands.
“These tours allow students to grow as individuals as they immerse themselves in a new culture. After speaking with many of them, the students shared with me how much they learned during our time in Japan, not just as musicians, but as people,” Near said.
AloJapan.com