Anton Eugene Armstrong (born April 26, 1956) is the conductor of the St. Olaf Choir as well as the Harry R. and Thora H. Tosdal Professor of Music at St. Olaf College of Northfield, Minnesota, in the United States. Armstrong became the fourth director of the St. Olaf Choir in 1990,[1] continuing the tradition begun by the choir's founder F. Melius Christiansen in 1911, sustained and developed by his son, Olaf Christiansen, and strengthened and enhanced by Kenneth Jennings. Armstrong teaches conducting in the Sacred Music department at Luther Seminary and also conducts some pieces in "Northfield Youth Choirs".
Anton Armstrong | |
|---|---|
 Armstrong in 2019 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Anton Eugene Armstrong |
| Born | April 26, 1956 |
| Genres | Choral music |
| Occupation(s) | Music editor Conductor |
Early life
editAnton was born in New York City on April 26, 1956, to William Benfield Armstrong (1916–2002) and Esther Louise Holder (1917–2007). William was born in Antigua, and Esther was born in New York City to Herbert Henry Holder (1887–1973) and Leander Hassell (1890–1945), both from St Thomas. Armstrong grew up on Long Island where he and his mother were active singers in a local church choir. Armstrong joined the American Boychoir, based in Princeton, New Jersey. According to Armstrong, "That experience lit my fire for choral singing."[2]
Armstrong earned his bachelor's degree at St. Olaf College, graduating in 1978. He was a member of the St. Olaf Choir from 1976–1978, under the leadership of Kenneth Jennings. Jennings became a mentor to Armstrong and 12 years after graduating from St. Olaf, Armstrong replaced Jennings as director of the St. Olaf Choir.[2]
Career
editArmstrong was invited to conduct the Masterwork Festival Chorus's performance of Robert Ray's Gospel Mass at Carnegie Hall on March 18, 2019. [3] He was also the conductor of several All-State Honor Choirs across more than 40 states, most recently being the 2022 Kansas Music Educators Association All-State Mixed Choir. [4]
In March 2024, Armstrong was the guest conductor for the Manassas Chorale's annual "Voices United" concert. [5]
Armstrong served two terms as president of the Choristers Guild and has led numerous webinars and given lectures for Choristers Guild over the past decades. [6] [7] [8]
References
edit- ^ "The St. Olaf Choir conductor". Archived from the original on 2011-12-20. Retrieved 2011-12-07.
- ^ a b "The Legacy of the Saint Olaf Choir". Saint Paul Sunday. Retrieved May 17, 2015.
- ^ "Masterwork Festival Chorus | Mar 18, 2019 at 8 PM".
- ^ "Clinician – Mixed Choir – KMEA".
- ^ "Voices United".
- ^ "DVD Webinar Page".
- ^ "Anton Armstrong – Oregon Bach Festival".
- ^ "Anton e. Armstrong".
- St. Olaf Choir the conductor. 2005. Updated n.d. December 10, 2005.
- Youth Choral Academy Oregon Bach Festival. 2001. Updated n.d. December 10, 2005.
- American Public Media. 2005. The legacy of the Saint Olaf Choir. Updated n.d. December 10, 2005.
- Ashmore, Nancy J. 2004. Spirit voices. St. Olaf Magazine, September, 29.
- Tpt. 2005. A St. Olaf Christmas in Norway. Updated n.d. December 10, 2005.