This 2024 Homecoming season, Luther College continued the tradition of presenting the Weston Noble, Dr. Carlo A. Sperati and Hemp Prizes, which recognize musical excellence and achievement. Student and alumni award winners are recognized each year during the annual Homecoming concert.

Weston Noble Prize 2024

David Judisch, professor emeritus of music at Luther College, is the 2024 recipient of the Weston Noble Award.

David Judisch, professor emeritus of music at Luther College, is the 2024 recipient of the Weston Noble Award. Weston Noble served on the music faculty at Luther College from 1948 to 2005. During that time, the college grew in numbers and national reputation, and Noble became a leader in training pioneers in the field of music education. Established in 2004, the Weston Noble Award recognizes music educators who honor and continue Noble’s legacy.

Judisch’s life and work symbolize a deep dedication to music, culture and community service, ensuring that the rich heritage of Norwegian and Norwegian-American traditions continues to flourish for generations to come.

Judisch earned his Doctorate of Musical Arts from the University of Iowa. He taught at Luther College for 40 years and many of his students achieved notable success, including regional finalists in prestigious competitions.

Judisch has led the Luren Singing Society since 1975. Founded by Norwegian immigrants in 1868, the Luren Singing Society is the oldest and largest male choir in the Norwegian Singers Association of America (NSAA). Under Judisch’s direction, the choir flourished with a membership of between 70 and 80 singers from diverse backgrounds and professions, united by a passion for music.

Judisch led the Luren Singers on five tours of Norway, performing for royalty on several occasions, including King Harald and King Olav. He also facilitated international tours with the NSAA that left a lasting impact. In addition, Judisch recorded albums with the Luren Singers and participated in the biennial Sangerfest festivals. Sangerfest 2024 was held at Luther College in June.

He has served as a vocal clinician, referee and conductor, including significant contributions to the Decorah Lutheran Church choir for 24 years. He was a founding member of the New Minowa Players community theater, has volunteered at Nordic Fest since 1975, and is involved with the Decorah Community Meal program. He helped found Path to Citizenship, an organization whose mission is to help people navigating the path to citizenship in Northeast Iowa.

2024 Dr. Carlo A. Sperati Award

Justin Knoepfel, Luther College Class of 2004, is the 2024 recipient of the Dr. Carlo A. Sperati Award.

Justin Knoepfel, Luther College Class of 2004, is the 2024 recipient of the Dr. Carlo A. Sperati Award. A pillar of Luther College and the Lutheran musical tradition, Sperati was the conductor of the Luther College Concert Band for 38 years until his retirement in 1943. His work ethic and demand for perfection and patience when working with music students make part of identity. of Luther College’s music department to date. This award recognizes those traits of music educators as they follow in Sperati’s footsteps.

Knoepfel joined the faculty of Gustavus Adolphus College in 2009. An associate professor of music, Knoepfel is conductor of the Gustavus Symphony Orchestra and is chair of the Department of Music. He is also a viola instructor. In demand as a clinician, guest conductor and adjudicator, Knoepfel most recently served as guest festival conductor at the Dorian Orchestra Festival.

As a violinist, Knoepfel has performed with such distinguished orchestras as the Minnesota Orchestra and Minnesota Opera, and at venues throughout the United States and Europe. He has also collaborated extensively with members of the Minnesota Orchestra, the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, and others. He has also performed with artists such as Idina Menzel, Amy Grant and the Eagles and has performed privately for King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden.

Knoepfel received a BA from Luther College before earning a Master of Music in Viola and a Doctor of Musical Arts in Viola Performance and Music Theory from the University of Minnesota. He is married to Elisa (Falk) Knoepfel, who also graduated from Luther in 2004. The couple has five children and two pets.

Hemp Prize 2024

Mark Severtson, Luther College Class of 2025, is the 2024 recipient of the Hemp Award.

Mark Severtson, Luther College Class of 2025, is the 2024 recipient of the Hemp Award. The Richard C. and Joann M. Hemp Family Award for Orchestral Performance is presented annually to a senior member of the Luther College Symphony Orchestra. The $8,000 scholarship is funded by an endowment established by Richard, Class of 1964, and Joann (Harr) Hemp, Class of 1965. Richard Hemp is regent emeritus, former chairman of the Luther College Board of Regents, and former interim president of Luther College. The audition award recognizes students for exceptional performance, talent, musicianship and leadership.

Severtson is a music performance major at Luther College. He has served as principal tubist in the college Symphony Orchestra, Concert Orchestra, and Noble Brass Quintet. As a soloist at Luther, Severtson won the 2023–24 Band Concerto Competition and was the inaugural recipient of the Dr. Joan deAlbuquerque Award in Music. He was a finalist in the 2023 Symphony Orchestra Concerto Competition and received the 2022 Tim and Sandra Peter Music Leadership Award.

In addition to his solo performances and recitals, Severtson was a Tuba Fellow at the Lutheran Summer Music Festival in 2023.

Outside of music, Severtson enjoys reading, learning German, throwing ceramics, and spending time with his parents and two brothers in Ann Arbor, Michigan.