Emily Tope named member of Luther College Symphony Orchestra

2014 Dec 22

Emily Tope of La Crosse, Wisconsin is a member of the Luther College 2014-15 Symphony Orchestra music ensemble.

Tope is the daughter of Kaye Johnston and Steven Tope of Ames, IA; West Union, IA. She is majoring in English at Luther. Tope is a 2011 graduate of Central High School.

The Luther College Symphony Orchestra, Luther's largest and oldest orchestral ensemble, maintains an active rehearsal and performance schedule during the academic year. More than 80 student musicians, representing a variety of academic majors, perform with Symphony Orchestra. The orchestra tours yearly throughout the United States and maintains a three-week residency in Vienna, Austria every four years, performing in venues such as the Vienna Konzerthaus and the Bruckner Conservatory in Linz.

Daniel Baldwin was appointed Director of Orchestral Activities at Luther College in 1997. Dr. Baldwin directs the Luther College Symphony Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra and the Opera Workshop, along with teaching conducting. Baldwin holds a bachelor of music degree in cello from Furman University and a master of music in cello and a doctor of musical arts in instrumental conducting from the University of Texas at Austin.

Luther is home to one of the largest collegiate music programs in the nation with six choirs, three orchestras, three bands, two jazz bands and nearly 1,000 student musicians. Luther students participate in large ensembles, faculty-coached chamber groups, private lessons and master classes. More than 350 music majors study music theory, ear training, history, education, composition, church music and performance.