News

In celebration of St. Olaf College’s 150th anniversary and longstanding place in the Northfield community, Norseman Band and the St. Olaf Philharmonia collaborated with music ensembles from Northfield High School in March to present two shared concerts.

The first concert on March 8 featured the St. Olaf Norseman Band, conducted by Michael Buck ’89, and Northfield High School Concert Band, conducted by Nahal AfsharJavan ’20. The concert, titled “Legends and Heroes,” explored the stories of real and imaginary people, places, aspirations, and ideas, all centered on themes that share a commonality with St. Olaf’s sesquicentennial journey.

The second concert on March 15 showcased the St. Olaf Philharmonia, conducted by Chung Park, and the Northfield High School Camerata, conducted by Thomas O’Keefe. The two ensembles shared a collaborative concert with guest clinician Brenda Brenner, a professor of music at Indiana University. The concert featured music by Bach, Sibelius, Gershwin, and more.

Norseman Band member Roxi Wessel ’26 told the Northfield News that the collaboration was exciting, and it prompted her to reflect on how the pandemic limited her high school band experience. “It’s cool that we’re doing this concert, and that we have the chance to play with the high school students,” Wessel says. 

Evan Moran ’26 emphasized the importance of supporting high school musicians. “For the high schoolers, it’s always nice when they go do something and have a big crowd show up,” Moran says.

Zea Althoff ’28 recalled the impact of similar experiences in her high school years, which she said are a key reason she chose St. Olaf.

The concerts featured two pieces from each band, plus a joint performance. One highlight was the Norseman Band’s finale, which includes an animated video synchronized with the music — a challenge that member Aubrey Sanders ’28 found both difficult and rewarding.

“It’s very technically complicated. But even the hard parts are fun,” Sanders says.

Buck praised the students for their hard work. “The amount of responsibility that they have is a lot, and the way they handle it is impressive,” he says.

Both concerts took place at St. Olaf College’s Skoglund Auditorium and were free to attend. Watch the concert featuring the St. Olaf Philharmonia and the Northfield High School Camerata below.