The Gustavus Choir, one of the nation’s premier Lutheran college choirs, returns from its 3-state concert tour on Saturday, April 14 to present its Home Concert in Christ Chapel at 7:30 p.m. Under the direction of Conductor Gregory Aune, the Gustavus Choir presented Gustavus Sesquicentennial Celebration Concerts in Carver and Red Wing, the first two locations of the college, along with Center City, Middleton (Wisc.), Schaumburg & Oak Park (Ill.) The Choir’s Home Concert is free and open to the public.
Now in its 80th year of existence, the Gustavus Choir is one of six choirs in an active and highly integrated choral program at the College. Under the leadership of Dr. Gregory Aune, the choir has toured extensively throughout the continental United States, and internationally in South Africa, Italy, Portugal, and Spain.
The choir has also performed for the King and Queen of Sweden, premiered commissioned works by noteworthy international and American composers, and been featured at the prestigious American Choral Directors Association’s North Central Convention.
Aune is in his 17th year as conductor of the Gustavus Choir. He also teaches classes in conducting and choral literature and has served as music director of the College’s annual Christmas in Christ Chapel program. He has an extensive resume conducting choral and orchestral masterworks and orchestral literature, including multiple performances of Handel’s Messiah, Bach’s St. Matthew Passion, Mozart’s Requiem, and Brahm’s German Requiem.
This year’s tour made stops in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Illinois. The Choir was be part of three special Sesquicentennial events in Minnesota near East Union, Red Wing, and Chisago Lakes – three communities that played an important role in the early history of the College.
The tradition of concert touring by the music ensembles at Gustavus was established as early as 1878 for the musical, artistic, and educational benefit for the student members. Concert touring provides an opportunity to perform a concert program numerous times, fostering a deeper artistic understanding and expression of the music. It develops high levels of musical discipline and artistic integrity and allows the musicians to experience a variety of acoustic environments and widely diverse audience and ensemble dynamics.
The importance of music in the Gustavus undergraduate curriculum has long been recognized. More than a third of the College’s 2,400 students register for courses in theory, history, appreciation, pedagogy, and performance of music each year, while many are members of the some 30 performing ensembles.
The Gustavus Choir’s 2012 Home Concert begins at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 14 in Christ Chapel. The concert is free and open to the public.
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