Anton Eugene Armstrong (born April 26, 1956) is the
conductor
Conductor or conduction may refer to:
Music
* Conductor (music), a person who leads a musical ensemble, such as an orchestra.
* ''Conductor'' (album), an album by indie rock band The Comas
* Conduction, a type of structured free improvisation ...
of the
St. Olaf Choir as well as the Harry R. and Thora H. Tosdal Professor of Music at
St. Olaf College
St. Olaf College is a private liberal arts college in Northfield, Minnesota. It was founded in 1874 by a group of Norwegian-American pastors and farmers led by Pastor Bernt Julius Muus. The college is named after the King and the Patron Saint Olaf ...
of
Northfield, Minnesota
Northfield is a city in Dakota and Rice counties in the State of Minnesota. It is mostly in Rice County, with a small portion in Dakota County. The population was 20,790 at the 2020 census.
History
Northfield was platted in 1856 by John W. ...
, in the United States. Armstrong became the fourth director of the St. Olaf Choir in 1990, continuing the tradition begun by the choir's founder
F. Melius Christiansen in 1911, sustained and developed by his son,
Olaf Christiansen
Olaf C. Christiansen (August 12, 1901 – April 12, 1984) was an American composer, professor, and conductor in the Lutheran choral tradition. He succeeded his father as the second conductor of the St. Olaf Choir, which he led for 27 years.
Backgr ...
, 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".
Early life
Anton 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
Antigua ( ), also known as Waladli or Wadadli by the native population, is an island in the Lesser Antilles. It is one of the Leeward Islands in the Caribbean region and the main island of the country of Antigua and Barbuda. Antigua and Ba ...
, 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."
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.
Career
Armstrong was invited to conduct the Masterwork Festival Chorus's performance of Robert Ray's Gospel Mass at
Carnegie Hall on March 18, 2019. 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.
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.
References
St. Olaf Choir the conductor. 2005. Updated n.d.December 10, 2005.
December 10, 2005.
December 10, 2005.
* Ashmore, Nancy J. 2004. Spirit voices. St. Olaf Magazine, September, 29.
December 10, 2005.
External links
Oregon Bach Festival Youth Choral Academy Official WebsiteSt. Olaf CollegeSt. Olaf ChoirBiography page
{{DEFAULTSORT:Armstrong, Anton
Michigan State University alumni
1956 births
Living people
American choral conductors
American male conductors (music)
St. Olaf College alumni
St. Olaf College faculty
Classical musicians from New York (state)
21st-century American conductors (music)
21st-century American male musicians