LOVE AND LOSS. The Luther College's Nordic Choir and Eau Claire's Stand in the Light Memory Choir, shown here, will perform together on May 23. (Submitted photos)

Luther College’s world-acclaimed Nordic Choir from Decorah, Iowa, and Eau Claire’s Stand in the Light Memory Choir will perform at the “I Won’t Forget – Memories and Music” concert from 6:30-8:30 pm Monday, May 23, in the RCU Theatre at the Pablo Center at the Confluence.

Eau Claire is the first stop in the 75th-anniversary tour for the Decorah, Iowa-based choir. The concert’s featured piece, “I Won’t Forget,” was created in memory of Rachel Studt, an alumna of Luther College and an accomplished pianist, who passed away from early-onset dementia in January 2021 at age 53. Her husband, Dr. Larry Studt, an occupational medicine physician with Prevea, wrote the words shortly after she passed away, and commissioned Zachary J. Moore, a 2015 graduate in music education from UW-Eau Claire, to compose the music to his words. 

KEYS TO THE HEART. Rachel Studt is the memory behind this music: Her husband wrote the song, and her daughter will be performing.

Laurel Studt, daughter of Rachel and Larry Studt, is a member of the Nordic Choir. While the concert is free, tickets are required and can be obtained at pablocenter.org or by calling (715) 832-2787. Doors will open at 4:30pm when tables will be set up with educational materials about dementia.

The concert is a fundraiser for the Stand in the Light Memory Choir, which was founded in 2016 under the musical direction of Cathy Reitz, whose sister passed away from early-onset dementia, and the Eau Claire Aging and Disability Resource Center. 

Luther College’s world-acclaimed Nordic Choir.

For additional information, visit the following websites: luther.edu, standinthelightmemorychoir.org, co.eau-claire.wi.us