Morten Lauridsen receives honorary doctorate

Morten Lauridsen, distinguished professor of composition at the University of Southern California Thornton School of Music, was awarded an honorary doctoral degree by California Lutheran University, Thousand Oaks, at the school’s commencement ceremonies on June 22. 

Born in 1943, Lauridsen served as composer-in-residence of the Los Angeles Master Chorale from 1995 until 2001 and has been professor of composition at the University of Southern California Thornton School of Music since 1972. He was named an American Choral Master by the National Endowment of the Arts in 2005.

Among his sacred choral works are O Magnum Mysterium, Ave Maria, O Nata Lux, and Ubi Caritas et Amor. Lauridsen’s works have been recorded on over a hundred CDs, three of which have received Grammy nominations, including O Magnum Mysterium by the New York-based ensemble Tiffany Consort, led by Nicholas White, and two all-Lauridsen discs entitled Lux Aeterna by the Los Angeles Master Chorale, conducted by Paul Salamunovich (RCM), and Polyphony with the Britten Sinfonia, conducted by Stephen Layton (Hyperion). 

For information: mortenlauridsen.net and callutheran.edu.