Augustana Choir to unveil decade-long project with tour, recording this March

The Augustana Choir will launch a tour in March incorporating performance, recording and recruitment initiatives that marks the beginning of a decade-long project called “Tiårasang,” which is Norwegian for “decade-song.”

“I hope that more people become aware of the artistry of the Augustana Choir,” Russell Svenningsen, conductor of the Augustana Choir and director of vocal studies, said. “This ensemble is over 100 years old and is actively taking part in the creation of what a Lutheran college choir will be in the coming decades.”

As part of the project, the Augustana Choir will record three pieces every year for 10 years: a selection from the choral canon, a hymn or folksong arrangement and a newly commissioned work.

The tour, commissioned by the School of Music, includes a recording session on March 8 in the cathedral at Shattuck-St. Mary’s School in Faribault, Minnesota. It will be the first recording made for the “Tiårasang” project, followed by a concert at Central Lutheran Church in Minneapolis and a visit to Albert Lea, Minnesota. They will perform for and recruit at Albert Lea High School’s choral program on March 9.

While the recording session will focus on the three pieces for the “Tiårasang” project, the choir’s full concert program features 11 pieces, including traditional choral pieces that hold special meaning forthe performers. 

“‘Beautiful Savior,’ a Lutheran choral anthem by F. Melius Christiansen, is a piece that I’ve always wanted to perform,” junior Alex Folgar, baritone section member and assistant music librarian for the Augustana Choir, said. “The texture of the harmonies is so rich and carries so much power. It brings me to tears every time I’ve heard it performed.”

The tour required extensive planning and coordination between multiple venues and participants. The logistics involved scheduling performances and transportation, as well as ensuring that the choir is adequately prepared to represent Augustana in diverse communities across Minnesota.

“Building strong relationships is essential for a tour like this,” Matthew Erickson, manager of operations and community partnerships, said. “We are guests in each community, and our music serves as a gift to those who welcome us.”

This year’s commissioned piece, “I Am the One,” composed by Lee Kesselman, features text written by ninth-century German nun and mystic Hildegard von Bingen. She is now known for her poetry and creative Biblical interpretation.

Senior Olivia Kern, section leader of the alto section, described the piece by Kesselman as an entertaining challenge for the choir.

“The poem details God’s majesty through nature, and this piece seems to reflect the scene of nature,” Kern said. “One might hear the ‘breeze that nurtures all things green’ in the soaring melodic lines, or the ‘rain coming from the dew’ in the falling sequential patterns.”

According to Kern, while the harmonies and rhythms add beauty to the piece, the biggest challenge is its novelty.

“Perhaps the trickiest part of this piece is that it has never been performed before,” Kern said. “All the other pieces in our repertoire have many recordings online that we can reference, but with this piece, the interpretation of it is for Lee Kesselman, Dr. Svenningsen and the choir to decide.”

The feeling was reciprocated by Folgar.

“I usually rely on listening to different performances to grasp the feel of a piece, but with this commissioned work, we’re starting from scratch,” Folgar said. 

Despite these challenges, the choir maintains a productive and positive rehearsal environment, meeting four days a week for 80 minutes.

Folgar said that he appreciates Svenningsen’s meticulous preparation and teaching approach, which helped the choir navigate the piece’s complex meters, key changes and intricate markings with confidence.

The supportive atmosphere extends beyond musical preparation to the choir’s overall dynamic.

“The dynamic between Dr. Svenningsen and the students is great,” Kern said. “Dr. Svenningsen holds the choir to a very high standard, but I truly feel that we are meeting those standards. Additionally, while Dr. Svenningsen always leads structured and productive rehearsals, he also understands the occasional need for a joke.”

For graduating seniors, the project represents both an end and a beginning.

“As a senior, I have been reflecting on my time at Augie, and I am experiencing all the bittersweet emotions that accompany graduation,” Kern said. “However, it is comforting to know that I will leave Augustana after beginning a beautiful project that will last many years after I have left the campus.”

The project marks a significant evolution in the choir’s century-long history and establishes a new legacy for the generations ahead. 

“I want the Augustana community to recognize that this project is about more than just recording music — it’s about preserving and sharing our story,” Peter Folliard, dean of the School of Music, said. “It’s a testament to the talent and dedication of our students and faculty, a bridge between our history and our future, and a statement of our commitment to artistic excellence.