The Papers of Weston Noble, 1939-2013 | Luther College Archives

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Collection Overview

Title: The Papers of Weston Noble, 1939-2013

ID: LCA/RG15/Noble, W

Primary Creator: Noble, Weston (1922-2016)

Extent: 43.6 Linear Feet. More info below.

Scope and Contents of the Materials

The life and work of Weston Noble is documented here through correspondence, tour information, press clippings, scrap books and related material. Included in the collection are four dissertations related to Noble.

Biographical Note

Weston Henry Noble was born to Merwin and Ruth (Lappin) Noble on November 30, 1922, in Riceville, Iowa. He grew up on a small family farm with his six siblings: Harlan, Russell, Lowell, Dale, and twins, Joe and Jo Ann. At age 5 he began taking piano lessons.

Noble began his Luther education in 1939, and was teased by his peers for being so young when he first arrived. While at Luther, he was very active in the music program. He was a member of both Concert Band and Schola Cantorum. He wanted to pursue a career in music education, and this became his major. According to requirements at Luther at the time, music education was not considered an academic program, so Noble had to choose a second major. He decided on history and became a double major. In 1943, the year Noble was scheduled to graduate, World War II was well underway. In response, Weston decided he would join the Army Enlisted Reserve Corps. However, he was called to start training before his Luther graduation date. He was not alone in this predicament since there were four other Luther men who also faced the same dilemma. As a result, Luther made arrangements for Noble and the other students to complete their graduation requirements early in the spring, allowing them to both receive their degrees from Luther and carry out their duties to the Army.

As a member of the Army Enlisted Reserve Corps, Noble was first sent to Fort Knox, Kentucky, where he was assigned to the armored (tank) corps. He didn’t find this particularly pleasing. After his stay in Fort Knox, Noble received further training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina. He then became part of the 750th Tank Battalion, and was sent to Europe. While in Europe, Noble was stationed for various periods of time in England, France, Belgium and Germany.

Upon his return to the United States in 1946, Noble debated the possibility of pursuing a graduate degree in music. At the last minute, he decided to postpone his further education and turned to teaching high school music. He received a job at the high school in LuVerne, Iowa, and began teaching there in the fall of 1946. He spent two years at LuVerne before joining the Luther faculty on a “temporary” basis in 1948.

The summer before Noble returned to Luther, he began his graduate studies at the University of Michigan. In the fall, Noble was asked if he would fill in for one year until a replacement was found for a recently resigned member of the music faculty. He agreed, and again put his graduate studies on hold. Although it was not planned, he ended up directing both the Concert Band and the Nordic Cathedral Choir, as well as teaching music classes that first year. Because of his success in these endeavors, Noble was asked to stay another year, thus beginning his legacy at Luther College. He attended 9 years of summer school classes at the University of Michigan, 1947-1955, and completed his master’s degree there in 1951.

Noble’s influence on music at Luther has been profound. In 1950, he began the Dorian Music Festival with the intent of using it to recruit additional students to Luther College. In 1953, he received an offer to teach at Butler University, with the promise of leading a number of musical groups there. Presumably in order to entice him into staying at Luther, Noble received a counter offer which made him the head of the music department at Luther. After just four years of teaching at Luther and at the young age of 31, he became head of the department, effective in September, 1953. In 1973, Noble also received the title of “Director of Musical Activities.” In 1973, at age 51, he gave up direction of the Concert Band and turned all of his attention to Nordic Choir. Noble is perhaps best known for his conducting of Handel’s Messiah. He has had the honor of directing this production since his first year at Luther College in 1948.

By 1965, Noble began to be bothered by the amount of litter on the Luther College campus. By 1982 he was devoted to picking up campus trash. He has become well-known for his dedication to keeping up the campus grounds.

Noble has received numerous honors over the course of his years at Luther. Among the most notable are: Carlo A. Sperati Award in 1961; Honorary Doctor of the Arts Degree from Augustana College, Sioux Falls, South Dakota in 1971; first to be named Outstanding Music Educator of the United States in 1989; first recipient of the Weston H. Noble Award in 1994; and Honorary Degree of Doctor of Fine Arts from St. Olaf College, Northfield, Minnesota in 1996.

In 1998, a biography of Weston Noble was published. Warmly, Weston: A Luther College Life, was written by Wilfred F. Bunge of the Luther College Religion Department. This complete biography can be found in the main stacks in Preus Library.

Administrative Information

Repository: Luther College Archives

Alternate Extent Statement: 52 boxes

Use Restrictions: Though we may hold the property rights, Luther College Archives does not hold the copyrights for all materials. Individuals may use materials for non-commercial, private use, but commercial users must secure permissions from the copyright holders and/or Luther College Archives to reproduce, publish, or quote protected materials and photographs. For more information about the Luther College copyright and fair use policy, please visit https://www.luther.edu/library/copyright

Preferred Citation: Cite unpublished materials: Weston Noble Papers, RG15 Manuscripts, Luther College Archives, Decorah, Iowa

Finding Aid Revision History:

6/15/24: Abby Bates updated copyright policy link.

11/22/19: EC updated the preferred citation.

Box and Folder Listing

Browse by Series:

[Series 1: Biographical, 1942,1952, 1963-1976, 1980, undated],
[Series 2: Correspondence],
[Series 3: Tours: Programs],
[Series 4: Guest Conducting/Lecturing],
[Series 5: Awards/Honorary Degrees],
[Series 6: Writings by],
[Series 7: Writings About/ Dissertations],
[Series 8: Photographs],
[Series 9: Realia],
[Series 10: Audio Visual],
[Series 11: Yearbooks],
[Series 12: Scrapbooks],
[Series 13: Scores],
[Series 14: Oversized],
[Series 15: Personal Files, 1998-2005],
[Series 16: Office Files, 1948-2013],
[All]

Series 15: Personal Files, 1998-2005

Box 1: Personal Files, 1998-2005

Folder 1: Luther College Honors Weston Noble Program, 2005
Folder 2: Luther College Honors Weston Noble Reception/Dinner Cards, 2005
Folder 3: Concert Band Alumni List, Undated
Folder 4: Concordia-Moorhead Alumni List, Undated
Folder 5: Luther College Honors Weston Noble Guest List, 2005
Folder 6: Luther College Honors Weston Noble Confirmation Letters, 2005
Folder 7: Luther College Honors Weston Noble Waiting List, 2005
Folder 8: Confirmed Participants for Alumni Choir and Band Music Fee, 2005
Folder 9: Confirmed Participants for LC Honors Weston Noble, 2005
Folder 10: Confirmed Participants for Faculty Recital, 2005
Folder 11: Confirmed Participants for Alumni Band Participant, 2005
Folder 12: Confirmed Participants for Reception and Dinner, 2005
Folder 13: Confirmed Participants for Concert Band T-Shirt, 2005
Folder 14: Confirmed Participants for Gala Concert Audience, 2005
Folder 15: Confirmed Participants for Alumni Choir Participant, 2005
Folder 16: Confirmed Participants for Nordic Choir T-Shirt, 2005
Folder 17: Confirmed Participants for Officer Luncheon, 2005
Folder 18: Confirmed Participants for Waiting List for Rec/Din, 2005
Folder 19: Master Lists, 2005
Folder 20: Confirmed Participants for Faculty Recital, March 8, 2005
Folder 21: Confirmed Participants for Nordic Choir T-Shirt, March 8, 2005
Folder 22: Confirmed Participants for Concert Band T-Shirt, March 8, 2005
Folder 23: Confirmed Participants for Alumni Band Music Fee, March 8, 2005
Folder 24: Luther College Honors Weston Noble Seating Chart, 2005
Folder 25: Luther College Reception & Dinner Report, 2005
Folder 26: Confirmed Participants for Alumni Choir Music Fee, March 8, 2005
Folder 27: Luther College Honors Weston Noble VIP List, 2005
Folder 28: Jazz Orchestra Invites, 2005
Folder 29: Confirmed Participants for Alumni Choir Participant, March 8, 2005
Folder 30: Confirmed Participants for Alumni Band Participant, March 8, 2005
Folder 31: Luther College Honors Weston Noble Name Tags and Program, 2005
Folder 32: Confirmed Participants for Waiting List for Rec/Din, March 8, 2005
Folder 33: Confirmed Participants for LC Honors Weston Noble, March 8, 2005
Folder 34: Confirmed Participants for Gala Concert Audience, March 8, 2005
Folder 35: Dinner/Reception Notes, 2005
Folder 36: Alum Confirmed Lists, 2005
Folder 37: Letters to Noble Celebration Band Members, 2005
Folder 38: Luther College Honors Weston Noble Instrumentalists List, 2005
Folder 39: Schedule of Events for Luther College Honors Weston Noble, 2005
Folder 40: Luther College Honors Weston Noble Floor Plan, 2005
Folder 41: Officer Luncheon Report, 2005
Folder 42: Faculty Recital Show Report, 2005
Folder 43: Gala Concert Show Report, 2005
Folder 44: Weston Retirement Committee Report, 2005
Folder 45: Life Member Confirmation Form for President's Council Weekend, 2005
Folder 46: Passport Copies, 2005
Folder 47: Music for Luther College Honors Weston Noble, 2005
Folder 48: Luther College Honors Weston Noble On-Site Registration, 2005
Folder 49: Dinner/Reception Notes, 2005
Folder 50: LC Honors Noble Choir List, 2005
Folder 51: Officer Luncheon Report, April 1, 2005
Folder 52: LC Honors Noble Officer Lunch, 2005
Folder 53: "A Noble Celebration" Programs, 1998
Folder 54: Kephart's Music Center Files, 2005
Folder 55: Luther College Honors Weston Noble Ticket Order Form, 2005
Folder 56: LC Honors Noble Reminder, 2005
Folder 57: Recital For Sandra Names List, 2004
Folder 58: LC Honors Noble Notes, 2005
Folder 59: Weston Noble Retirement Accounts, 2004
Folder 60: Confirmed Participants for Alumni Choir Music Fee, Feb. 16, 2005
Folder 61: CHIPS Vol. 127, No. 7, 2005

Box 2: Personal Files, 2005

Folder 1: LC Honors Noble Notes, 2005
Folder 2: LC Honors Noble Name Tags, 2005
Folder 3: Nordic Choir Auditions, 2005
Folder 4: LC Honors Noble Posters, 2005
Folder 5: Agenda for President's Council Weekend, 2005
Folder 6: LC Honors Noble Final Details, 2005
Folder 7: Alum Confirmed, 2005
Folder 8: Introduction of Weston Noble, 2005
Folder 9: LC Honors Noble Invitation, 2005
Folder 10: LC Honors Noble Schedule, 2005
Folder 11: Seating for Weston Noble Celebration Dinner, 2005
Folder 12: LC Honors Noble Tickets Set 1, 2005
Folder 13: LC Honors Noble Tickets Set 2, 2005
Folder 14: Weston Noble Trivia, 2005
Folder 15: Deposit Trial Balance, 2005
Folder 16: Music Used at LC Honors Noble, 2005
Folder 17: David and Gail Judisch's Info for LC Honors Noble, 2005
Folder 18: Karen Kanakis's Info for LC Honors Noble, 2005
Folder 19: Gala Concert Show Report, April 1, 2005
Folder 20: Reception & Dinner Show Report, April 1, 2005
Folder 21: Faculty Recital Show Report, April 1, 2005
Folder 22: Luther Alumni Magazine Vol. 38 No. 3, 2005
Folder 23: LC Honors Noble Final Program, 2005
Folder 24: Misc. Musical Scores, Undated
Folder 25: Reception/Dinner Wait List, March 24, 2005
Folder 26: Faculty Recital, March 24, 2005
Folder 27: T-Shirt Orders, March 24, 2005
Folder 28: Recording List, 2005
Folder 29: Officer Luncheon, March 24, 2005
Folder 30: Alumni Band Participants, March 24, 2005
Folder 31: Alumni Choir Participants, March 24, 2005
Folder 32: Gala Concert Audience, March 24, 2005
Folder 33: Alumni Band, March 31, 2005
Folder 34: Audience, March 31, 2005
Folder 35: Alum Confirmed, Undated
Folder 36: Alumni Choir, March 31, 2005
Folder 37: Officer Lunch, March 31, 2005
Folder 38: Concert Audience, April 1, 2005
Folder 39: Band, April 1, 2005
Folder 40: Faculty Recital, April 1, 2005
Folder 41: Saturday Reception Dinner, April 1, 2005
Folder 42: T-Shirts, April 1, 2005
Folder 43: Gala Concert Show Report, April 16, 2005
Folder 44: Concert Band Alumni, 2005
Folder 45: LC Honors Noble Master List, March 18, 2005
Folder 46: Concert Audience, March 18, 2005
Folder 47: LCNC T-Shirts, March 18, 2005
Folder 48: Officer Lunch, March 18, 2005
Folder 49: LCCB T-Shirts, March 18, 2005
Folder 50: Alumni Choir, March 18, 2005

Box 3: Personal Files, 2005

Folder 1: Dinner/Saturday, March 18, 2005
Folder 2: Faculty Recital, March 18, 2005
Folder 3: Officer Luncheon Show Report, March 23, 2005
Folder 4: Alum Confirmed Master List, 2005
Folder 5: Alum Confirmed Master List 2, 2005
Folder 6: Reception & Dinner Show Report, March 23, 2005
Folder 7: Alum Confirmed Master List 3, 2005
Folder 8: News Release About LC Honors Noble, 2005
Folder 9: Nordic Choir West Coast Tour Programs, 2005
Folder 10: LC Honors Noble Schedules and Order Forms, 2005

Box 4: Personal Files, 1957-2015

Folder 1: American Choral Directors Association Conference Presentation: Three Methods of Teaching Plus One, 2014-2015
Folder 2: American Classical Music Hall of Fame Induction, 2014
Folder 3: Articles on Colleagues, 2014-2015
Folder 4: Articles On Luther College Alumni, 2014-2015
Folder 5: Chapel Talks, 2012-2014
Folder 6: Conference Presentations, 2014
Folder 7: Event Name Tags, 2014-2015, n.d.
Folder 8: Newspaper Clippings, 2014-2015
Folder 9: IDCA Weston Noble Endowment, 2015
Folder 10: Online News Articles, 1957-2015
Folder 12: Personal Correspondence, undated, 2014-2015
Folder 13: Programs, 2014-2015
Folder 14: Weston Noble Alumni Choir, 2014-2015
Folder 15: Weston Noble Music Ministry Endowment, 2015
Folder 16: Scores Dedicated to Weston
Folder 17: Scores Directed by Weston

Folder 11: Personal Correspondence, 2012-2015