Excellence in Music Education and Performance Recognized at Graduation Ceremony

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

Weston Noble Award 2024

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

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

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

Judisch has directed the Luren Singing Society since 1975. Founded by Norwegian immigrants in 1868, the Lüren Singing Society is the oldest and largest men’s choir in the Norwegian Singers’ Association of America (NSAA). Under Judisch’s leadership, the choir is thriving, with 70 to 80 singers from different backgrounds and professions united by a passion for music.

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

He served as a voice therapist, judge and conductor, including making significant contributions to the Decorah Lutheran Church choir for 24 years. He was a founding member of the New Minowa Players community theater and has volunteered with Nordic Fest since 1975 and is involved with the Decorah Community Meal program. He helped create Pathway to Citizenship, an organization whose mission is to help people on the path to citizenship in northeast Iowa.

2024 Dr. Carlo A. Sperati Award

Justin Knopfel, a 2004 Luther College graduate, is the recipient of the 2024 Dr. Carlo A. Sperati Award. Sperati, a pillar of Luther College and the Lutheran musical tradition, was conductor of the Luther College Concert Band for 38 years until his retirement in 1943. His work ethic, commitment to excellence, and patience in working with music students are part of his personality. Luther College Music Department to this day. This award recognizes these qualities of music educators following in Sperati’s footsteps.

Knoepfel joined the faculty of Gustavus Adolphus College in 2009. An assistant professor of music, Knoepfel is conductor of the Gustavus Symphony Orchestra and chair of the music department. He is also a viola teacher. In demand as a clinician, guest conductor, and adjudicator, Knoepfel most recently served as guest conductor for the Dorian Orchestra Festival.

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

Knoepfel received his bachelor’s degree from Luther College and went on to earn a Master of Music degree in viola performance and a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in viola performance and music theory from the University of Minnesota. He is married to Elise (Falk) Knoepfel, who also graduated from Luther in 2004. The couple has five children and two pets.

Hemp Award 2024

Mark Severtson, a 2025 Luther College graduate, is the 2024 Hemp Award recipient. The Richard K. and Joan M. Hemp Family Award for Orchestral Performance is presented annually to the senior member of the Luther College Symphony Orchestra. The $8,000 scholarship is funded by an endowment established by Richard, Class of 1964, and Joanne (Harr) Hamp, Class of 1965. Richard Hemp is Regent Emeritus, former Chairman of the Luther College Board of Trustees, and former Interim President of Luther College. . The prize, based on the results of an audition, is awarded to students for their outstanding achievements, talent, musicianship and leadership qualities.

Severtson is a music student at Luther College. He has served as principal trumpet player in the College Symphony Orchestra, Concert Band and Noble Brass Quintet. As a Luther soloist, Severtson won the 2023-2024 Orchestra Concerto Competition and is the first recipient of the Dr. Joan de Albuquerque Music Award. He was a finalist in the 2023 Symphony Orchestra Concerto Competition and received the 2022 Tim and Sandra Peter Musical Leadership Award.

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

Besides music, Severtson enjoys reading books, learning German, making pottery, and spending time with his parents and two brothers in Ann Arbor, Michigan.