Arnold, Craig

Title
Professor of Music
Office:
Jenson-Noble 158
Phone:
+1.563.387.2219
Email:
Degree:
DMA, Eastman School of Music
Interests:
Director of Choral Activities, Nordic Choir, methods, conducting

Dr. Craig Arnold is Director of Choral Activities, Conductor of the Nordic Choir, and Professor of Music at Luther College in Decorah, IA following the 57 year tenure of Weston Noble. Dr. Arnold returns to Luther having served on its music faculty in the early 1980s. At that time, he founded the musical celebration now known as Christmas at Luther, along with four of the college’s current vocal music ensembles.

Prior to his return to Luther, he was Music Director of Manhattan Concert Productions and Conductor of the New York City Chorale and Chamber Orchestra. He previously served as Director of Choral Activities at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo and at Luther’s sister institution, Capital University in Columbus, OH. He has high school teaching experience from positions at Kennedy High School in Cedar Rapids, IA and Luverne, MN Jr. and Sr. High School; and music ministry experience from serving on church staffs in Minnesota, Iowa, Ohio and Michigan.

Arnold’s education includes a doctorate in conducting from the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY; a master’s degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign; and a bachelor’s degree from St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN. He has served as guest lecturer at the St. Petersburg (Russia) Conservatory and has conducted choirs and orchestras at New York City’s Carnegie Hall and the Weill Recital Hall. He has also frequently appeared as guest conductor, clinician, or presenter in Japan, England, Scotland, Germany, France, Italy, Wales, Hong Kong, China, Alaska, Colorado, New York, Minnesota, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, California, Texas, Michigan, Washington D.C., Wisconsin, and Wyoming.