Luren 1968-1977
- Centennial Year 1968: A new banner for its centennial year (the third in its history) is presented to Luren in memory of Martin Bergan, Luren member for 44 years, who died in January at the age of 91. The Centennial is celebrated with a banquet at the Cliff House on March 16th, with a Luren Exhibition at the Norwegian-American Museum, and with a grand celebration at Thomas Roberts gymnasium April 30th. A packed auditorium responds warmly to Luren songs, the Nordic Fest Dancers, Junior Lutheran singers from Big Canoe, speeches and greetings from many dignitaries. Three days later, King Olav V of Norway visits Decorah briefly. Luren Singers meet the delegation at the airport with song, and sends them off later in the day with song.
- 1968: Luren sings at Sangerfest in Sioux Falls, SD
- 1969: Luren’s first tour of Norway! A “Bon Voyage” concert at Decorah Lutheran precedes the June 19-July 7 trip. Concerts are presented throughout the southern half of Norway, including Oslo, Stavanger, Sandnes, Bergen, Molde, Trondheim, Lillehammer, Lom, Laerdal and Fagernes. 35 singers with spouses totaling 63, plus 46 “associate members” make the trip. The Nordic Fest concert on July 25 is billed as a “Homecoming Concert.”
- 1970: Luren travels to Sangerfest in Sioux City, IA
- Luren participates in Sangerfest in Chicago.
- 1973: Luren’s second tour of Norway: Singing at Winona, Spring Grove and Decorah prior to the tour, Luren presents concerts at Skarnes, Gran, Hadeland, Oslo, Sarpsborg, Frederickstad, Seljord, Austbygd, Eina, Fagernes, Beitostolen and Lerdal.
- 1974: Luren participates in Sangerfest at Madison, WI
- 1975: Dr. David Judisch, professor of music at Luther College, begins his tenure as music director of Luren.
- 1976: Decorah and Luren host the 41st Sangerfest. The only NSAA chorus east of Chicago travels all the way from Brooklyn, NY to participate.
- 1977: Luren tours the Pacific Northwest, USA. Concert stops include Rapid City, SD; Billings and Missoula, MT; Pendleton and Salem, OR; Sangerfest at Everett, W A; return trip concerts at Tacoma, WA; Kalispell and Havre, MT; and Minot and Park River, ND.