What will the 2022 Dorian Orchestra Festival look like given the COVID-19 pandemic?

Anyone participating in the festival who will be on-campus (students, teachers, and chaperones) will be required to submit proof of COVID-19 vaccination OR a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours of arrival on campus.

All of the normal festival registration activities (checking in, payment, housing) will take place in the Center for Faith and Life for teachers as it has in the past. There will be a separate station elsewhere in the CFL (exact location TBA) for teachers and students to individually submit their vaccination/testing information. Vaccination or negative test results can be shown either by paper proof or digital proof. We will not be saving or recording vaccination/testing records. Instead, we will simply mark off that you have completed the requirement.

We will be using the CDC's definition of fully vaccinated, which at the moment is:

• 2 weeks after their second dose in a 2-dose series, such as the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, or
• 2 weeks after a single-dose vaccine, such as Johnson and Johnson's Janssen vaccine.
  

For those who are choosing the testing option rather than the vaccination option, we have compiled a list of ways you can acquire a COVID test. I am sure that this list is not comprehensive, but we hope it helps those of you who are not sure where/how to get a test.

The important thing is to ensure that:
1) Whatever test you acquire is taken within 72 hours of arrival to campus for the festival
AND
2) That you will have the test results by the time that the festival begins.This means that the test needs to be taken no sooner than noon on Thursday, February 3, and you will need the results no later than noon on Sunday, February 6.

It is very likely that masks will be required during the festival, but this depends on Luther’s COVID alert level at the time of the festival. If we are in level blue (minimal COVID spread), which is what we were at the start of the semester until November 5, then masks will not be required for festival participants. If we are in level green or higher (increased COVID spread), then masks will be required for festival participants. As of the writing of this message, campus is currently at level teal, so masks are required at this time. These alert levels are determined by both campus COVID-19 indicators and county COVID-19 indicators. To view Luther’s current COVID alert level at any time, you can reference the banner at the top of Luther’s website at luther.edu. You can learn more on Luther’s Being Community website. Please prepare your students for being masked throughout the festival.

How are students chosen for the Chamber Orchestra or the Festival String Orchestra? 

Based on teacher nominations, students will be placed in one of two ensembles: a smaller, select Chamber Orchestra, and a larger Festival String Orchestra. 

A new requirement this year is that students who want to be considered for the Chamber Orchestra must submit a video recording in addition to the nomination form that is submitted by the teacher. Video auditions are due Monday, December 6 at 11:59 pm. Email videos to the Dorian Office at [email protected]. The audition requirements are:

1. A video recording (90-second minimum, 2-minute maximum) of a solo or etude that demonstrates lyrical and technical ability (slow technique and fast technique) of the student. Memorization and piano accompaniment not required.
2. A scale of the student’s choice. Violinists, violists, and cellists should prepare a 3-octave scale. Double bass players should prepare a 2-octave scale.

Video recordings must not be edited. The video recordings will be used to place students in the chamber orchestra, and to determine chair placements.

What is the criteria for a student to be nominated for the chamber orchestra?

Here are the recent repertoire selections of the chamber orchestra to give you an idea of the playing level required of this ensemble:

2020
Five Pieces for String Orchestra, movements 1 and 2 - Paul Hindemith
Violin Concerto No. 1 in A minor, movement 1 - Johann Sebastian Bach
Brook Green Suite - Gustav Holst
Alleluia and Fugue for String Orchestra - Alan Hovhaness

2019 
Suite for Strings from Bolberg's Time, Op. 40 - Edvard Grieg
Concerto in D minor, L'Estro armonico, Op. 3, No. 11 - Antonio Vivaldi
Jambo - Traditional African Folk, arr. Jeremy Cohen

2018
Appalachia Waltz - Mark O'Connor
Concerto Grosso I. Andante feroce - Maria Newman
Hoe Down from Rodeo - Aaron Copland
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story - Michael Giacchino arr. O'Loughlin

What is the optional solo/mini-lesson?

• In an optional solo/mini-lesson, a student plays one piece for a Luther string faculty member in a 20-minute private lesson.
• The prepared solo should be well-learned in order for the lesson to be useful.
• A Luther student accompanist can be hired for a $15 fee if requested ahead of time and if music is provided by the deadline. Lessons are not required to be accompanied.
• A Solo/mini-lesson costs only $5 per student.
• A Solo/mini-lesson can also be used as an official Luther Music Scholarship audition by seniors.

How are students chosen to perform for one of the Sunday seminars or to perform as a Monday night concert soloist?

Students can submit a video recording of their solo piece to be considered for one or both of the following opportunities. 

1. On Sunday afternoon, the string faculty will conduct string seminars. Part of each seminar will be a master class in which soloists can perform a solo in front of the other festival participants, then work on the solo with the faculty member leading the master class.
2. Outstanding soloists may be selected to perform as part of the festival grand concert on Monday evening. This performance would be in front of the entire festival audience. 

Students who want to be considered for either of these opportunities must submit a video recording by Friday, January 28. The submitted recording should include their full solo. Email videos to the Dorian Office at [email protected].

Where do directors and students stay during the festival?

• On-campus, student housing may be requested by schools farther than 50 miles from Decorah.
• The on-campus housing fee is $10 per student.
• Students will be housed in residence hall rooms with current Luther student hosts or in residence hall lounges. Students should plan to bring along sleeping bags, pillows, etc. as well as towels and toiletries for their overnight stays.
• The college is not able to offer housing to teachers and/or chaperones.
• Off-campus housing options in local hotels, Bed and Breakfasts, and Airbnbs are available to directors and students. In town, we have Comfort Inn and Suites, Country Inn and Suites, Fairfield Inn and Suites, Hotel Winneshiek, and Super 8. Teachers have also had good luck with local Bed and Breakfasts and Airbnb.                 

Can a student attend the festival without their school or their teacher? 

A teacher nomination is required for a student to be considered for the festival, but a student's choir teacher does not necessarily have to attend the festival with the student. Having said that, every student attending the Dorian Orchestra Festival must have a teacher, parent, or chaperone with them in town for the duration of the festival. This policy is in place so that there is someone in town to take care of the student in the case of an emergency. Likewise, if there is a behavioral issue that would result in the student being removed from the festival, an adult must be present to take the student home.

What are the fees associated with the festival?

To learn more about the 2022 Dorian Orchestra Festival fees, download this form.

Are tickets required for the Festival Grand Concert?

No tickets are required for the Festival Grand Concert on Monday, February 7. The concert is free and open to the public.

Is the Festival Grand Concert live streamed?

The festival grand concert is NOT live streamed.

What is concert attire?

• Concert attire is all black or black bottoms with white tops. Option A: A collared shirt with nice dress pants. Ties are encouraged.
  Option B: A nice blouse with dress pants/skirt or a dress.