 "Photo:")
Larry Torkelson shared his love of music with hundreds of students while teaching at USD.
Bradley Hanson, a 2002 music performance graduate, will never forget Torkelson's passion for music and his assistance while at USD.
"Professor Torkelson was truly one of the finest teachers I had at USD or anywhere else for that matter. His total influence on the music at USD will be very difficult for anyone to match. I know of not one student that does not honestly have the highest respect for Larry Torkelson," said Hanson, who is currently a graduate student of vocal performance at the University of Missouri-Kansas City.
Torkelson, professor emeritus of music, received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the South Dakota American Choral Directors Association at the South Dakota Senior Honor Choir concert in Aberdeen, Aug. 2.
"One is a bit surprised (when receiving an award like this)," Torkelson said. "You have to weigh the title 'Lifetime Achievement Award.' When you think about it, that is what we did. We gave our lives to teaching, to the music,"
Torkelson retired after the 2001 spring semester and 30 years of USD choral music that included teaching voice, choral conducting, choral literature and vocal-choral methods.
He conducted the USD Chamber Singers, USD Men's and Women's Chorus and the University Choir. He has also lead 300 formal choral concerts on campus, other university organizations and public school performances and music conventions.
Torkelson conducted in Carnegie Hall, in New York City for the Upper Midwest Youth Chorale in April 2000. He also served as president of the state choral association for three years.
John Day, dean of the College of Fine Arts reflected on Torkelson's style.
"I was always impressed by how he would elicit the very best from his students," Day said. "He evoked pride from his students. He made them proud of what they as individuals and what they as a group could accomplish."
Hanson enjoyed on his time as one of Torkelson's students.
"He was generous with praise for others, while at the same time very modest when accepting the impact of his own contributions," Hanson said.
Torkelson's modesty is evident. He said that for him "every year was successful, but the hardest was always (the students') last.
"My pride is what (the students) accomplish. To have some small part in the students' musical success is what I am proud of," Torkelson said. "I don't think a teacher can ask for anything more than to be a good teacher."
Hanson said Torkelson was influential in many areas of his future and his other students.
"The scholarships he helped me get, jobs he helped me get, contacts he helped me make — I am just one of hundreds of students with similar experiences," he said.
"His style of teaching and conducting was so clear and efficient that it was easy to work hard, learn and have a good time," Hanson said. "The rehearsals and concerts I had with Torkelson are some of my best memories at USD."
Day said Torkelson was a person who only wanted the best for his students and never cut corners.
"He was an absolutely gifted conductor," Day said. "Like most conductors, he was very focused. He never compromised when it came to artistic integrity."
Reach reporter Kyla Madsen at kmadsen@usd.edu
Be the first to comment on this article!