About Magnum Chorum

Recognized for expressive singing and inspired programs, Magnum Chorum brings artistry and spirit to a cappella choral music. The 50-voice chamber choir presents colorful 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 musical excellence in sacred choral music. Now offering its 21st season, Magnum Chorum also serves as Choir in Residence at Westwood Lutheran Church in St. Louis Park, MN.

Magnum Chorum has performed with distinguished conductors including Anton Armstrong, Kenneth Jennings, Dale Warland, Weston Noble, René Clausen, Philip Brunelle, Craig Hella Johnson, and Osmo Vänskä, and collaborated with prominent composers such as Stephen Paulus, Frank Ferko, Libby Larsen, Ken Jennings and Ralph Johnson. To encourage the work of emerging composers, Magnum Chorum has established a Composer in Residence program. Stanford Scriven will serve as Composer in Residence during the pilot 2011-2012 season.

The ensemble has been featured at regional and national conferences of the American Choral Director’s Association, American Guild of Organists, American Hymn Society and College Music Society. The choir’s recordings are broadcast in the U.S. and Canada on public radio and classical music stations. Magnum Chorum’s name is intended to convey the importance of the choir in expressing the divine and the infinite through voice, music, and text.

See what the buzz is all about!

Clips from the choir's November Requiem Concert in the lovely St. Bartholomew's Cathedral in Wayzata, MN are shared along with highlights from this season.

Christopher Aspaas, Artistic Director

Christopher Aspaas has served as Artistic Director of Magnum Chorum since 2008.  Dr. Aspaas is Associate Professor of Choral/Vocal Music at St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN, where he teaches choral literature, choral conducting and voice, and conducts the Viking Chorus and Chapel Choir.  He earned his B.M. in Voice Performance from St. Olaf, his M.M. in Choral Conducting from Michigan State University, and his Ph.D. in Choral Music Education at Florida State University.  Aspaas is active as a guest conductor, clinician, and adjudicator, and makes frequent appearances as a tenor soloist.