University of Nebraska–Lincoln Professor and Director of Choral Activities Peter Eklund received the Nebraska Choral Directors Association’s Outstanding Choral Director Award on Nov. 21 during the Nebraska Music Educators Association’s fall conference.
“I always feel a little guilty and awkward accepting and receiving an award because we conductors have the privilege of turning around on stage after we do our work and receiving instant gratification from the audience,” Eklund said. “There are so many fine teachers out there that work hard daily and go home with no applause or standing ovations. But I feel honored to be recognized by my peers across the state.”
In addition, Glenn Korff School of Music alumnus Dane Christensen (B.M.E. 2010) was awarded “Best Young Director.” Christensen is the vocal music teacher at Central City High School in Nebraska.
Eklund was nominated by Adam Lambert (B.M.E. 2005), director of choirs at Elkhorn South High School in Omaha.
“Anyone who knows choral music knows the name ‘Dr. Eklund,’” Lambert wrote in his nomination letter. “Whether it is at the state, national or international level, Dr. Eklund has made a reputation for himself as being one of the greatest choral directors to stand on the podium. Like all great teachers, he tends to put his students first and himself last without the proper recognition he often deserves. Dr. Eklund has invested in countless professionals in the choral music industry who are now nationally renowned.”
Eklund was recently named one of the quarter-finalists for the Grammy National Music Teacher of the Year. He annually conducts instrumental and choral ensembles in no fewer than eight European countries and throughout North America.
His academic choirs have performed on numerous American Choral Directors Association regional and national conventions. He has conducted his choirs in many of the world’s greatest performing venues, including Carnegie Hall in New York City; Washington D.C.’s Kennedy Center primary concert hall; the National Cathedral; Orchestra Hall in Minneapolis; St. Mark’s Basilica in Venice; Christ Church in Oxford; and St. Paul’s Cathedral in London.
Eklund has taught at UNL since 1998.