Anton Armstrong
| Anton Armstrong | |
|---|---|
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Anton Eugene Armstrong |
| Genres | Choral Music |
| Occupation(s) |
Music Editor Conductor |
Anton Eugene Armstrong (born April 26, 1956) is the conductor of the St. Olaf Choir as well as the Harry R. and Thora H. Tosdal Professor of Music at St. Olaf College of Northfield, Minnesota in the United States. Armstrong became the fourth director of the St. Olaf Choir in 1990, continuing the tradition begun by the choir's founder F. Melius Christiansen in 1911, sustained and developed by his son, Olaf Christiansen, and strengthened and enhanced by Kenneth Jennings. Armstrong also teaches conducting in the Sacred Music department at Luther Seminary. He also conducts some pieces in "Northfield Youth Choirs".
Anton was born in New York City on April 26, 1956 to William Benfield Armstrong (1916-2002) and Esther Louise Holder (1917-2007). William was born in Antigua, and Esther was born in New York City to Herbert Henry Holder (1887-1973) and Leander Hassell (1890-1945), both from St Thomas. Armstrong grew up on Long Island where he and his mother were active singers in a local church choir. Armstrong joined the American Boychoir, based in Princeton, New Jersey. According to Armstrong, “That experience lit my fire for choral singing."
Anton Armstrong was first made aware of the St. Olaf Choir when his pastor took him to a performance at Avery Fisher Hall despite the fact that Armstrong had tickets to see the Moody Blues at Madison Square Garden. His mother made the decision for him to attend the St. Olaf Choir concert.
Anton is the youngest of three brothers. Oldest brother Garry was (until 2001) a reporter for WHDH-TV, Channel 7 in Boston, Massachusetts, and next older brother William (Billy) is a printing professional on Long Island, New York.
Armstrong earned his bachelor's degree at St. Olaf College, graduating in 1978. He was a member of the St. Olaf Choir from 1976–1978, under the leadership of Kenneth Jennings. Jennings became a mentor to Armstrong and 12 years after graduating from St. Olaf, Armstrong replaced Jennings as director of the St. Olaf Choir.
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