Our Choral Works Initiative supports a community of voices and Minnesota’s rich choral tradition with our dedicated Choral Stream™, local choral concerts and educational outreach efforts.
Nov. 24 marks one year since we launched the Choral Stream newsletter, bringing choral news, guest editors and exclusive content directly to your inbox. Celebrate the anniversary by entering our giveaway for your chance to win a $66 Chandos gift voucher!
We are happy to announce the launch of the Choral Stream newsletter. Get exclusive early access to performance videos, download free music selections, hear from movers and shakers in the choral community, and much more. Sign up now!
Listen now to 'A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols' with on-demand audio. Be sure to share your comments, and enter our giveaway for a chance to win the King's College Choir's new Bruckner CD!
How do we raise awareness for and fight climate change? Singer-songwriter Annie Lennox has teamed up with the London City voices to do just that. Listen to their performance of Henry Purcell's 'Dido's Lament.'
You were born to sing! You just need to know where you fit in, right? Find out which choir personality best describes you with our fun quiz. And don't forget to enter our giveaway for a prize pack of choral CDs after taking it!
When it comes to choral music, are you more Bach or PDQ Bach? Find out which great choral work best fits your personality with our fun quiz!
The St. Olaf Christmas Festival has become one of the nation's most cherished holiday celebrations. This year's presentation draws from archival performances, featuring more than 500 student musicians, for a special hourlong radio program.
Celebrate the season with song! Steve Staruch hosts this one-hour program of holiday favorites, new and old, presented live in concert by Chanticleer, the superb 12-man ensemble known as "an orchestra of voices."
This week on New Classical Tracks, conductor Desmond Earley talks about his new holiday album with the Choral Scholars of University College Dublin, and how important our shared American/Irish traditions can be to music.
'Welcome Christmas' is a perennial Christmas favorite from VocalEssence, one of the world's premier choral ensembles, conducted by Philip Brunelle. Join host John Birge for an hour of traditional carols and new discoveries, including the world premiere of two carols from the annual Christmas Carol Contest.
The sounds of the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square floated into many homes during the holidays in the '60s & '70s on Goodyear and Firestone albums, bringing lush renditions of favorite Christmas carols. Those warm memories and feelings come right back again in this holiday special.
Jason Max Ferdinand has drawn from the success of his acclaimed choir, the Aeolians, to create a new guide that combines sound choral concepts with awareness for social justice issues.
'All Is Bright' ,with host Lynne Warfel, offers an hour of gorgeous, contemplative choral music that tells the traditional Christmas story with songs about angels, the star and the manger scene. Featured artists include Cantus, Chanticleer, Cambridge Singers, Bryn Terfel, Emma Kirkby, Jessye Norman, and a variety of choirs.
Cantus absolutely shines in this gorgeous performance of "Simple Gifts." It's perfect music for celebrating family, friends and gratitude. Watch now for a Thanksgiving treat.
This week on New Classical Tracks, Christopher Tin talks about his collaboration with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, 'To Shiver the Sky,' that ethereally outlines the history of mankind's quest to fly.
University of Minnesota professor Peter Mercer-Taylor is driven to bring early-American hymns back to life as part of a project fueled by a new website and book. And he's looking for choirs to contribute their vocal talents to help the cause.
Classical MPR's John Birge spoke with Sally Wingert and Jocelyn Hagen ahead of VocalEssence's Oct. 18 virtual concert, 'Rightfully Hers,' which celebrates the 100th anniversary of women's right to vote in the U.S.
For a few grim weeks in March this year, it seemed as if the sky were falling in on the eight members of the all-male vocal group Cantus. But they've coped with the pandemic with new songs, a concert series and a bright outlook.
In January, Michael Culloton received news he had been dreaming of for more than two decades: Concordia College, where he studied as an undergraduate, had appointed him its new director of choral activities, replacing the legendary Rene Clausen. Then the coronavirus hit. He's started the new school year amid that challenge, including rehearsals with a difference.
This week on New Classical Tracks, composer Jake Runestad discusses his latest release with Denver-based ensemble Kantorei, titled 'Sing, Wearing the Sky.' Enter the giveaway for a chance to win a copy of the CD!