Choral Stream

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."

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.

'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.

Jason Max Ferdinand drew from the success of his acclaimed choir, the Aeolians, to create a 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.

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.