Choral Stream

Each week, American Public Media/Classical Minnesota Public Radio's Choral Initiative Manager, Tesfa Wondemagegnehu, shares a choral music story from around the country. This week, Tesfa shares a story from the University of Saint Thomas Peruvian Tour.

Kenneth Jennings, the third conductor of the renowned St. Olaf Choir (from 1968 to 1990) passed away early Thursday. Anton Armstrong shares his thoughts on his predecessor and former teacher.

We were saddened to learn that Kenneth Jennings, the third conductor of the renowned St. Olaf Choir, which he led from 1968 until 1990, died early on Thursday. As more details become available, we'll share them here.

According to research conducted by the Royal College of Music's Centre for Performance Science, listening to and performing music has been shown to have a positive, biological effect on mood and stress levels.

John Gavin Scott -- director of music at St. Thomas Church, New York City, and one of the world's most highly regarded musicians, organists, and choral conductors -- passed away this week at the age of 59. Michael Barone remembers Scott's extraordinary career and lasting legacy in this heartfelt tribute.

Having asked her peers what instrumentalists can learn from vocalists, hornist Gwen Hoberg turns the tables and considers what lessons singers might be able to learn from members of the orchestra.

Shape note singing is a unique and longstanding American choral tradition. Emily Feld visited a gathering of Sacred Harp singers in Minnesota and came away with a new appreciation for this community-centric form of music-making.

Coming from the Mt. Vernon High School Fine Arts Academy in southwestern Indiana, the seven young women from Angelus sound like a professional ensemble. They're currently on tour in Illinois, Wisconsin and Minnesota. Angelus Music Director Dana Taylor visited with Alison Young to describe the group and to share some music.

Vocalists and instrumentalists don't tend to hang out together - but if they did, what could the singers teach the players?

Classical Minnesota Public Radio returned to Minnehaha Falls in Minneapolis and Leif Erikson Park in Duluth for Harmony in the Park in June. Relive the events through photos by MPR's Steve Cohen.