Music professor receives achievement award from his alma mater

Dr. John Broman could barely believe his eyes when he read a letter stating he had been selected as the 2019 recipient of the Weston H. Noble Award.

"I have to be honest. I called to see if it was legit," said Broman, professor of music at the University of North Georgia (UNG). "When they told me it was, I was flabbergasted."

Presented to a Luther College alumnus "in recognition of outstanding achievement to the field of chorale music," the Weston H. Noble Award is named for the founder of the school's Nordic Choir.

Broman graduated from Luther College in 1969 and performed with the Nordic Choir for three years under Noble's direction. Founded in 1946, the Nordic Choir is considered one of the premier collegiate chorale ensembles in the United States.

"I auditioned for the Nordic Choir because my mother wanted me to," Broman said. "At the end of my freshman year, Noble called me into his office and said I should think about singing for Nordic Choir."

Broman, who attended Luther to play football, had to choose between sports or music. His choice of choir has served him well. Broman taught at Dakota Wesleyan University and Loras College before he arrived at the UNG in 1992. Since then, he has served as director of chorale activities and conducts the UNG Singers, Le Belle Voci, and Patriot Choir.