Photo courtesy of Addison Hendrick.
With Dr. Nathan Windt on sabbatical this semester, Dr. Michael Sauer has stepped in as the sabbatical replacement for the St. Ambrose Choir.
Dr. Sauer prepared for his first concert with the choir on Friday, March 7th. The concert marked a significant moment for the choir, as it was the first time the group was led by a seasonal choral conductor.
Dr. Sauer’s Music Journey
Dr. Sauer’s journey to St. Ambrose University reflects his commitment to choral conducting and education. With experience in both middle school and collegiate choral settings, he brings a broad range of knowledge to the choir.
Dr. Sauer has held the position of Senior Lecturer in Music at Wartburg College and currently serves as the Sanctuary Choir Director at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
His musical journey began at Wartburg College, where he earned his Bachelor of Music Education degree. He later pursued a Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) in Choral Conducting and Pedagogy from the University of Iowa.
“I spent a gap year preparing myself to teach collegiately, and I think that really helped me grow as a teacher,” Sauer says.
“The year-long process helped me refine my conducting and rehearsal technique and allowed me to get hands-on experience before transitioning to college-level teaching.”
When Dr. Windt went on sabbatical, it was a challenge for the university to find a replacement conductor for just one semester.
However, Dr. Sauer’s mentor at the University of Iowa reached out with an opportunity for him to step in for the spring semester at SAU. The connection was made, and Sauer quickly saw it as an exciting chance to work with collegiate students.
“I’ve always felt comfortable at smaller colleges. I wasn’t sure what to expect coming into this situation, but the choir here is fantastic, and the students have been so welcoming,” he shares.
“We’ve already done a lot of really good work. The choir is in a great place as we head into concert week,” he says. “I think it will be a meaningful and impactful concert—one that will leave a mark on everyone involved.”
The First Concert
The March 7th concert was Dr. Sauer’s debut performance with the choir, and the anticipation was high. As the students prepared to showcase their hard work, Dr. Sauer was impressed by their dedication and growth over the course of the semester.
“It was always a special feeling to see a choir come together, and I was proud of the progress we made,” he said. The concert featured a mix of works that challenged the students and showcased their abilities.
Dr. Sauer was particularly excited about how the pieces would resonate with both the performers and the audience. “The music performed will have a deep meaning,” he noted. “It is more than just notes and rhythms; there is a story behind it, and I think the audience will feel that.”
Interviews with Choir Members
After the concert, several members of the SAU Choir expressed their thoughts on working with Dr. Sauer.
Senior Julia Beltz, shared her enthusiasm about the experience: “The concert was stunning! The choir has loved getting to know Dr. Sauer and how he likes to teach to his students. Step Papaw (Papaw being Dr. Windt) has learned about our sense of humor and how we enjoy expressing ourselves through singing. From French, Latin, English, and even a niche dialect of a language from India, music connects us together, and we had a blast while doing it!”
Sophomore Isabelle Keiser, stated her experience, while reiterating some of Beltz’s previous points. “I personally think that Dr. Sauer was a great choice for a sabbatical sub for the year. He takes everything we do in choir very seriously but also connects with us to have a better relationship. I think the concert on Friday was wonderful, all of us in choir have worked very hard for this and I am sure that showed during the concert.”
Senior Eliana Lehtola also had a few words to share about the concert this past Friday, and her experience in the choir. “Dr. Sauer has done an amazing job filling in for Dr. Windt and we have had a good time working with him this semester. I think the choir concert on Friday went really well. Dr. Sauer put a lot of time into making sure it went smoothly and it turned out awesome!”
The first concert under Michael Sauer’s leadership was a memorable one, and it’s clear that the choir is in good hands. His ability to connect with the students, promises a future of continued success for the SAU choir.
Looking Ahead For Dr. Sauer
So, what’s next for Dr. Sauer in his career? He remains passionate about collegiate choral education and plans to continue building on the experiences he’s gained.
“In the next five years, I see myself continuing to teach and grow as a conductor,” Sauer says. “I’m always looking for ways to challenge myself and my students, and I hope to make a lasting impact on the choirs I work with.”
As for the SAU choir, the future looks bright under Sauer’s direction. The concert on March 7th was just the beginning, and the students are excited to see where his leadership will take them in the months ahead.
