Magnum Chorum

Recognized for expressive singing and inspired programs, Magnum Chorum brings transforming artistry and spirit to choral a cappella music. The 55-voice choir presents meaningful concerts, commissions and premieres new sacred works, and provides music for worship. Founded in the choral tradition of St. Olaf College, the choir welcomes singers of all backgrounds devoted to excellence in choral music. Now offering its 35th season, Magnum Chorum is honored to serve as Choir in Residence at Westwood Lutheran Church in St. Louis Park.

In 2018, Dr. Dwight Jilek was appointed Artistic Director of Magnum Chorum. The choir has been led by prominent Artistic Directors Jin Kim (Founding Director), David Dickau, Christopher Aspaas, and Mark Stover, and performed with distinguished guest conductors Anton Armstrong, René Clausen, Kenneth Jennings, Sigrid Johnson, Brian Schmidt, Sandra Peter, Matthew Olson, Craig Arnold, Allen Hightower, Dale Warland, and Weston Noble, and collaborated with celebrated composers Ēriks Ešenvalds, Matthew Peterson, Stephen Paulus, Kenneth Jennings, Jake Runestad, Libby Larsen, and Ralph Johnson, and championed emerging composers Stanford Scriven, Benjamin Simmons, Scott Senko, Zach Westermeyer, and Paul John Rudoi.

Under the direction of Dr. Jilek, Magnum Chorum was invited to perform at the MN ACDA Convention in 2018, the Chorus America Virtual Convention in 2020, and was the featured choral ensemble from Minneapolis-St. Paul for the 2022 Latvian Song and Dance Festival featuring Ēriks Ešenvalds and the Latvian choir Anima. In the summer of 2023, the choir embarked on the first international tour in the choir’s history to Sweden and Norway.

Our name Magnum Chorum is intended to convey the importance of the choir in expressing the divine and the infinite through voice, music, and text.