Magnum Chorum

Recognized for expressive singing and inspired programs, Magnum Chorum brings transforming artistry and spirit to a cappella choral music. Founded in the choral tradition of St. Olaf College in 1991, the 55-voice choir presents colorful concerts, commissions and premieres new sacred works, and provides music for worship. The choir also reaches out to under-served communities to offer a message of hope and faith and build community through fellowship and choral music. Magnum Chorum serves as Choir in Residence at Westwood Lutheran Church in St. Louis Park, Minnesota.

In 2018, Dr. Dwight Jilek was appointed Artistic Director of Magnum Chorum. The choir was previously led by Artistic Directors Jin Kim (Founding Director), David Dickau, Christopher Aspaas, and Mark Stover. The choir has performed under the direction of guest conductors Anton Armstrong, Kenneth Jennings, Sigrid Johnson, Brian Schmidt, Sandra Peter, Matthew Olson, Craig Arnold, Allen Hightower, Dale Warland, Weston Noble, and René Clausen; and performed with Philip Brunelle, Craig Hella Johnson, and Osmo Vänskä.

Magnum Chorum has championed emerging composers through its composer-in-residence program including Stanford Scriven, Benjamin Simmons, Scott Senko, and Zach Westermeyer, and recently premiered Sermon on the Mount by award-winning composer Paul John Rudoi. The choir has also collaborated with prolific composers including Stephen Paulus, Frank Ferko, Libby Larsen, Kenneth Jennings, Ralph Johnson and Jake Runestad.

The ensemble has been featured at regional and national conferences of the American Choral Directors Association, Chorus America, American Guild of Organists, American Hymn Society and College Music Society. In 2017, Magnum Chorum performed in the premiere of the Raymond W. Brock commission with the Minnesota Chorale, Homing by composer J.A.C. Redford, at the 2017 National ACDA Conference in Minneapolis under the direction of Robert Spano.

The choir’s recordings are broadcast in the U.S. and Canada on public radio and classical music stations. The name, Magnum Chorum, is intended to convey the importance of the choir in expressing the divine and the infinite through voice, music, and text.