Josh Nannestad
HostJoshua Hawkins Nannestad is tenured Associate Professor and Director of Music Education at Morningside University in Sioux City, Iowa, where he teaches methods, literature, and music history. As Associate Director of Choral Activities, he conducts the Morningside Cantabile and the Symphonic Chorus.
A lifelong church musician, he has served a variety of roles in Presbyterian, Lutheran, Episcopalian, and UCC congregations, often alongside his wife Joanna Hawkins Nannestad.
Dr. Nannestad currently sits on the boards of KWIT/Siouxland Public Media and the Sioux City Chamber Music Society. He previously served as President of the board of SHARE, the Southeastern Hub for Arts Resources in Education, and as accompanist for the SHARE Children's Choir. He has served as the College and University Resource & Repertoire chair for the Oklahoma Choral Directors Association, as well as a member of the Music Advisory Panel for the Oklahoma Arts Institute.
Honors and Awards
- Faculty Senate Award for Excellence in Scholarship, SOSU School of Arts and Sciences, 2019.
- Faculty Senate Award for Excellence in Teaching, SOSU School of Arts and Sciences, 2018.
- Richard Kegerreis Scholar, Eastern Division ACDA, 2010.
- Allen Lannom Award for Young Conductors, Massachusetts ACDA, 2006.
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As the calendar turns to a new season, Listen To This adopts a new guide through the well-worn path of the four seasons: Iowa songwriter Greg Brown leads into art music works by Frank Bridge, Peter Warlock, Ola Gjeilo, Valentin Silvestrov, and Robert Schumann. -
As the 2026 FIFA World Cup enthralls fans across the globe, Listen To This examines those bits of classical and Boradway music that have been adopted as anthems and chants by the fans in the bleachers. Between matches enjoy some Verdi, Elgar, Puccini, Rodgers and Hammerstein and more@ -
Sumptuous music for the month of June, from composers linked by a secret theme. Enjoy terrific work from Barber, Smyth, Tchaikovsky, Britten, Copland, and Higdon on Listen To This. -
The conclusion to Britten's hard-to-categorize opera Noye's Fludde, blending opera, church music, music education, and more. Vaughan Williams, Tallis, and Purcell also make an appearance in this all-English hour of delightful music. -
Benjamin Britten's odd, magical Noye's Fludde - just the first half today. Josh Nannestad introduces the opera written for children to perform alongside professional musicians. A little Brahms and Sullivan round out the hour. -
A program in memory of esteemed American conductor Michael Tilson Thomas, who died in April at the age of 81. Stravinsky, Strauss, and Mahler on the program. -
An hour of western art music from American composers and poets. Randall Thompson, Aaron Copland, Emily Dickinson, Robert Frost, and more on Listen To This with Dr. J. -
Host Josh Nannestad chats with guests of the Sioux City Symphony: 2025 Compsoer of the Year Dr. Alice Hong talks about "Eden", and Principal Trombone of the Alabama Symphony discusses returning home to play "Pull pin and throw" by Martin Kennedy. -
Listen to This for a Good Friday: We consider the spurious Mozart/Allegri story, hear the famous Miserere from the Cambridge Singers, and the Duccio-inspired violin concerto from Frank Martin, Polyptyque. -
Two works, one small and one large. The middle movement of Mozart's clarinet concerto, and the monumental Third Piano Concerto of Rachmaninoff. It's Listen To This with Dr. J!
