The first-year women’s choir at Luther recently experienced a name change. Formerly known as Pike Kor, the choral ensemble is now identified by the name Aurora, Latin for the word “dawn.”

The choir, created in 1981, was originally called the “Valley Singers” before the name was changed to Pike Kor in the mid-1980s.

Dr. Sandra Peter, who began conducting Pike Kor in 1992, has been considering the name change for a few years. She started talking to Pike Kor members and colleagues in the music department about making the change three years ago.

“We talked about changing the name of Pike Kor when I was a member,” said Elizabeth Goskesen (‘08), who was a member of the choir in 2004-2005.

Peter explained a big problem with the previous name was its pronunciation difficulties.

“Pike is often mispronounced, because it looks like an English word that refers to a fish,” said Peter.

In addition to the pronunciation problem, Peter also revealed that Pike Kor means “girl’s choir” in Norwegian.

“A pike kor in Norway would not involve girls past age sixteen,” said Peter, describing how the name is unfit for college women.

Although Peter has been working toward a name change for a few years now, she explained that usually the year ends before any final decisions are made.

“This was the year that I was able to give the issue more time,” said Peter.

Peter brainstormed with faculty and the women in the choir to come up with the new name. In discussing new names with the women, Peter says she used tangible, written feedback and also verbal comments. It was important for Peter to get a consensus for what names people were absolutely opposed to and which they preferred.

“If a certain name was chosen I wanted everyone to understand how it came to be,” said Peter.

A consistent theme among feedback was that the women wanted a special, unique name, not just the generic “Women’s Choir” the way other colleges tend to label their first-year choirs.

Peter said names were considered in English as well as Norwegian, but Aurora was the option that rose to the surface.

After the choral faculty discussed the name change and came to a consensus, Aurora was presented to the music department for their approval.

“The music marketing staff also offered their approval before the name was announced,” said Peter.

Aurora came from a list of possible names that Peter received from a colleague, and according to the choir biography on the music department Web site “represents the first light of day, or for these women, the beginning of their college experience and journey as independent scholars.”

Hannah Berlin-Burns (‘11), a current Pike Kor member, is pleased with the new name and what it signifies for the women.

“I think Aurora is a good representation of what the choir is: ‘the dawn of our college singing,’” said Berlin-Burns.

Pike Kor member Rebecca Zierke (‘11) said that although everyone was a little sad to see Pike Kor go, most understood the reasons for the name change.

“Plus, we get bragging rights as the last Pike Kor,” said Zierke, in describing her satisfaction in owning the last Pike Kor sweatshirt ever.