Graphic: Hannah Anderson/The Olaf Messenger
“If there’s a cloak that embodies what we do here, the fabric is surely made of music,” said Assistant Professor of Conducting and Composition Henry Dorn to The Olaf Messenger in an interview. St. Olaf’s music department is highly regarded around the country — the St. Olaf Band, now directed by Dorn, being one of the most notable ensembles as one of three ‘ambassador ensembles.’ This year, two other directors followed Dorn in bringing new life to the department.
“This is rich soil that I feel blessed to be in,” said Associate Professor of Music and Director of Jazz Ensembles Joseph Jefferson in an interview with The Olaf Messenger. At St. Olaf, Jefferson is working with the jazz bands in creating an inclusive jazz culture and planning more performance opportunities for students. His work as a director is very intentional, “I reach students where they are, not where they think they’re supposed to be,” Jefferson said.
Jefferson is also the first tenure-track jazz professor at the college. “I feel as though I am capable of doing it,” Jefferson said, “But I also feel as though I have a responsibility to make sure I do right by the students, the program, my colleagues, and staff to create something that is special because I know being in academia, getting that tenure-track line is not the easiest thing to do.”
For both Jefferson and Dorn, their respective musical backgrounds, their personal musical journey and careers, have prepared them to direct and teach students. “I borrowed the studio professor’s horn that was on campus — I used his instrument for my audition. I didn’t have a horn,” said Dorn, “When I got to college, I’d never taken lessons. I was largely self taught.”
When asked about their experience thus far on campus, all three of the new directors expressed feeling excitement. “I’m really excited to be back,” said Director of Viking Chorus and Chapel Choir Adam Reinwald ’00 in an interview with The Olaf Messenger, “When a place like St. Olaf asks you to come back, you can’t say no — you have to come.” In his undergraduate years, Reinwald sang in both Viking Chorus and Chapel Choir as well as started the men’s a capella group, Cantus. He ascribes his time to the word “magic”: “There is only a sense of magic when you create music,” said Reinwald.
Though all three directors have worked in various institutions and with several ensembles, they say the music scene at St. Olaf is unbeatable. To them, there is nothing like. With rehearsals underway, all of the new directors ensembles are preparing for their respective concerts throughout the fall semester. To learn more about the concert calendar, visit the St. Olaf Music website.
