Choral Stream

Friday's excursion to Northfield was, for me, an entry to a new world: a world of those Lutheran traditions that I'd heard Garrison Keillor talk about but I'd rarely experienced firsthand.

For Sarah Stevens, who graduates in 2015, and for Martha Kunau, who graduated in the 1990s, the St. Olaf Christmas Festival is a tradition and experience that leaves a lasting impression -- whether or not one ever attended the college.

Giving Voice Chorus gives Alzheimer's patients and their caretakers a chance to thrive. Those suffering from Alzheimer's often retain the ability to sing. MPR News' Cathy Wurzer and Phil Picardi provide this story on the Giving Voice Chorus.

Philip Brunelle and VocalEssence joined MPR News' The Daily Circuit for the annual exploration of Christmas carols that some folks might like to forget.

As Christmas 1914 approached, opposing armies famously put their differences aside and shared common celebrations. It's a story that's been preserved in many ways, including in the stage show, 'All Is Calm', a co-production of Theater Latte Da and Cantus. Learn more and enter for a chance to win tickets to the show.

A new vocal festival funded by a $75,000 Minnesota State Arts Board grant aims at raising the visibility for the many vocal ensembles, barbershop quartets, jazz singers, gospel choirs, folk duos, and other groups of people who come together in song around Minnesota.

Tesfa Wondemagegnehu, Classical MPR's choral initiatives manager, bought a car that he'll be driving throughout Minnesota to share the joy of choral music. He asked listeners to submit their name ideas for the vehicle. From more than 200 creative ideas, Tesfa is pleased to announce the winning name.

As he watched his father in the last stages of dementia, Tim Schmidt, who sings second bass for the National Lutheran Choir, would play Thad Fiscella's Ivory Hymn on the piano nearly every day. Schmidt could see in his father's eyes that the piece would help bring his father back to the present moment, causing him to rise in his chair.

While on vacation, Steve Staruch and his wife made plans to visit Walden Pond. They ended up experiencing something far beyond what they imagined.

On Thursday, Oct. 23, we aired our latest Archive on the Radio special, with exclusive performances from Philip Brunelle and VocalEssence. The program includes pieces by Dominick Argento, Stephen Paulus and Libby Larsen, to name a few.