After 30 Years, Augustana Choral Leader to Retire, Successor Named
Augustana College in Rock Island is writing the next movement of its sprawling symphony of success in choral music.
The private liberal arts school recently named Eric Newell as director of choral activities beginning fall 2026, succeeding longtime conductor Dr. Jon Hurty, who is retiring in June 2026 after 30 years with Augie.
“Eric Newell is a high-caliber musician, a thoughtful leader and a generous teacher,” Jacob Bancks, co-chair of Augustana’s music department, said in a college release. “The members of the Department of Music are thrilled to welcome Eric as our new director of choral activities, conductor of the Augustana Choir and assistant professor of music.”
The Augustana Choir, a mixed ensemble of 50-60 students, performs a variety of music in major concerts, special events and on tour. Since its founding by Dr. Henry Veld in 1931, the Augustana Choir has enjoyed a legacy of outstanding leadership, most recently under the direction of Hurty, who joined the faculty in 1996 and has produced an incomparable portfolio of performances in the region and around the world.
Dr. Jon Hurty (lower right) pictured with the Augustana Choir, which toured Nebraska, Colorado and Kansas in March 2025.
“Eric’s background—as a conductor, teacher, scholar, and performer—positions him beautifully to lead the Augustana College Choir and to build on the extraordinary legacy of Dr. Jon Hurty,” said Dianna Shandy, college provost and vice president of academic affairs. “His energy, musicianship, and heart for students will serve our community well.”
Newell said in the college release that he’s looking forward to this new chapter of his life at Augustana.
Eric Newell
“I’m thrilled to be immersed in the beautiful community of singers and alumni at Augustana and throughout Illinois,” he said.
Newell will receive his doctorate in choral conducting in May 2026 from the University of Texas at Austin, where he studied with J.D. Burnett. There, he directed the University Treble Chorus, acted as assistant conductor to the flagship Concert Chorale and assisted in teaching the undergraduate conducting sequence.
Also during this time, he served as director of sacred music and led four ensembles at St. Louis King of France Catholic Church in Austin, leading Advent and Lenten concerts as well as an international choral tour.
Newell has sung professionally with Volti and the American Bach Soloists, as well as with the Atlanta Master Chorale.
He received his Master of Music in choral conducting from the University of Georgia in Athens, Ga., and holds a 2018 Bachelor of Business Administration from Emory University in Atlanta.
The Augustana Choir performing a fall 2025 concert at First Lutheran Church in Moline.
Hurty came to Rock Island from teaching at Concordia University in Calif., where he also was director of choral activities.
He earned his undergraduate degree in Vocal Performance at Bethany College in Lindsborg, Kansas, in 1981, where he graduated summa cum laude; his master’s degree in Choral Conducting from California State University, Northridge, and his doctorate in Choral Conducting and Literature from the University of Illinois.
Hurty directs the Augustana Choir, the Augustana Chamber Singers, serves as the conductor of the Handel Oratorio Society and teaches conducting. He is also co-director of music for Augustana Campus Ministries and is the Conductor and Artistic Director of Augustana Choral Artists.
Active as a guest conductor and clinician throughout the U.S. and abroad, he has served in this capacity in All State, State and Regional festivals of the American Choral Directors Association, the Association of Lutheran Church Musicians, National Association for Music Education, and many colleges and high schools.
Hurty’s other professional activities have included conducting the Tian Kong Choir and serving as Guest Professor at Huazhong Normal University in Wuhan, China as well as guest conducting on the Quad City Symphony Orchestra subscription series. He has conducted his choirs in concerts throughout the U.S. and across the globe.
Dr. Jon Hurty, Augustana’s director of choral activities since 1996, will retire next June and lead his last Christmas at Augustana concerts on Dec. 6 and 7.
Established in 1931, the Augustana Choir has been conducted by Hurty since 1996. Under his direction, the choir has performed at Orchestra Hall in Chicago, Alice Tully Hall and Carnegie Hall in New York City, as well as many major cathedrals and concert venues in Sweden, Norway, China, Germany, Italy, Austria, Japan, Korea, Spain, France and the Czech Republic.
Enjoy an impromptu performance by the Augustana Choir at the Monument to the Battle of the Nations in Leipzig during a 2022 tour to Germany and the Czech Republic.
Recent Illinois award winner
Hurty was recently honored with the Harold A. Decker Award by the Illinois Chapter of the American Choral Directors Association in recognition of his exceptional leadership and contributions to choral music.
“This award holds immense significance for me, as it not only acknowledges my contributions to choral music in Illinois but also underscores the robust program and tradition of choral music at Augustana,” Hurty said in a college release.
“The talented and dedicated students of the Augustana Choir have gifted me with extraordinary opportunities for memorable performances that we have had the privilege of sharing with one another and our audiences.”
The sentiment is shared. In a special series called “More Than I Imagined,” students through the years have expressed gratitude for the ways Hurty has influenced their lives, both musically and personally.
A scene from the 2019 Christmas at Augustana concert at Centennial Hall, Rock Island.
“Dr. Hurty and the Augustana Choir made a significant impact on my life, as I have been able to embrace my passion for music,” said Abriana Tereza, a 2024 graduate.
“Dr. Hurty taught me how to truly love what I do,” said Ben Grafe ’23.
“I found a special home in the Augustana Choir these last three years,” said Anna Triska ‘22. “Thank you Jon Hurty for challenging me musically and providing a safe space for students outside of the music department.”
Jon Jaworowski ’23 made a generous commitment to the Hurty Challenge (to transform Larson Hall) mere months after graduation.
Jaworowski, who grew up in Rockford, Ill., and now teaches music to elementary school students in the Rockford Public School District, was involved in music while in high school. He had always known about Augustana, since his choir teachers went to Augustana and sang in the Augustana Choir.
One year, Jaworowski worked at the Augustana Choir Festival as a high school student, where he met and worked with Hurty.
After that, he said, “Augustana was the first and last school I looked at,” he said in a college release.
His greatest role model in college was Dr. Hurty, and that relationship jump-started his giving. Hurty, his “Augie Dad,” had a huge impact on his life and career as a student. He helped him grow as a musician and a person. Jaworowski genuinely felt he could go to him for anything.
“Dr. Hurty was a shining light at the end of the day,” Jaworowski recalled.
A scene from the 2019 Christmas at Augustana concert at Centennial Hall, Rock Island.
Hurty – who has an 18-page curriculum vitae – also has been director of chorale 24 years for St. Paul Lutheran Church, Davenport, which has a choir of about 70 singers.
He will lead his last Christmas at Augustana program at 2 p.m. on Dec. 6 and 7, in Centennial Hall, 3703 7th Ave, Rock Island.
The concert will include performances by the Augustana Brass Ensemble, Augustana Symphony Orchestra, Augustana Handbell Choir, Augustana Choir, Jenny Lind Vocal Ensemble, and Augustana Concert Chorale. More than 200 student musicians will take the stage to share their talents in what has been a beloved tradition since 2008.
“When we established Christmas at Augustana in 2008, I had no idea that it would become such a beloved part of the Christmas traditions here at Augustana,” Hurty said in an Augie release.
“Since it is my last year as director of choral activities, it is especially meaningful as I look back on all the great Christmas music that we have done in the past, as well as looking forward to an especially exciting program this year.”
Tickets are from $11 to $23 and can be purchased at augustana.edu/tickets or by calling 309-794-7306.
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