Northland College Faculty
Faculty are at the heart of Northland College. Click below to view individual profiles and to learn more about our incredible faculty.
Russell Thorngate
Title: Director of Choral Activities & Assistant Prof. Of Music
Office Location: CSE 131
Phone: 715-682-1313
Email: rthorngate@northland.edu
Education
- D.A. in Music: Choral Conducting and Music Education, Ball State University, Muncie, Indiana
- M.M. in Choral Conducting, Butler University, Indianapolis, Indiana
- B.A. in Music (Voice) and Education, San Jose State University, San Jose, California
Profile
I have
been involved in music, as near as I can remember, since birth. I come
from a musical family, and we always had singing around the house. When I
was in sixth grade, I knew I wanted to teach music. I followed that
passion through college, and eventually became employed as a choir,
band, and general music teacher in Drummond, Wisconsin. Over the years, I
worked in three different school districts in Wisconsin before
returnning to higher education to pursue my graduate degrees. Since
completing my doctoral coursework, I have worked at two colleges, the
University of Wisconsin, Marathon County in Wausau, Wisconsin, and now
here at Northland. I have performed as a tenor soloist in recitals and
college opera productions, as well as in community-based musical theatre
productions. I am excited to be back in the Northwoods and look forward
to new teaching and performing opportunities.
Research
My main research area has been the historical and recent significance
and proliferation of choral cycles in the ever-burgeoning area of
choral repertoire. I also compose, primarily choral music, and am
published by Colla Voce Publishing in Indianapolis.
Favorite books
Spy novels and historical fiction that takes place in the European Middle Ages and Renaissance
Favorite place
Timberlane
