The St. Olaf Choir: A Premier American Choral Ensemble

The St. Olaf Choir is a world-renowned a cappella choir based at St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota. Founded in 1912, this American ensemble is celebrated for pioneering the annual Christmas Festival concert and setting the gold standard for collegiate choral music.

Early career

The choir was established in 1912 by F. Melius Christiansen, a Norwegian immigrant and music faculty member at St. Olaf College. Christiansen's vision was to create a disciplined choir that performed sacred music with a pure, blended sound, directly influencing the development of the distinct "St. Olaf sound". The ensemble's early reputation was built through extensive touring across the United States, bringing its unique choral artistry to national audiences long before its first commercial recordings.

Breakthrough

The choir's breakthrough into national consciousness is deeply tied to its annual Christmas Festival, which began in 1912 and has been broadcast nationally since the 1940s. This tradition, alongside a prolific recording catalog beginning in the mid-20th century, cemented its status. While not charting on commercial pop lists, its albums have consistently topped classical and traditional classical Billboard charts, with many recordings considered essential in the choral genre.

Key tracks

Beautiful Savior — This F. Melius Christiansen arrangement is the choir's traditional closing hymn and perhaps its most signature piece.

O Day Full of Grace — Another foundational Christiansen arrangement showcasing the choir's hallmark rich, resonant harmony.

Wake, Awake, for Night Is Flying — The choir's powerful performance of this Philipp Nicolai hymn, set by Bach and others, demonstrates its command of grand sacred works.

E'en So, Lord Jesus, Quickly Come — Their recording of this haunting Paul Manz anthem is a modern classic in the choral repertoire.

The choir has released dozens of albums over decades, many on its own label in partnership with major distributors, focusing on sacred music from Renaissance to contemporary works. It has collaborated with orchestras like the Minnesota Orchestra and maintains a rigorous international touring schedule, performing at prestigious venues worldwide. Each conductor, from founder Christiansen to Anton Armstrong today, has shaped its evolving legacy while maintaining its core artistic principles.

Fans of The St. Olaf Choir also appreciate the work of Mormon Tabernacle Choir for its similar scale and legacy in American sacred music. The precision and blend of Chanticleer offer a professional counterpart in the a cappella realm. Listeners may also enjoy the academic excellence of Westminster Choir from Westminster Choir College. The rich tradition of King's College Choir from Cambridge provides a British choral foundation with comparable influence.

The St. Olaf Choir's music is a staple on classical radio stations and dedicated choral music programs across the country. Its annual Christmas concert recordings are especially prominent on public radio and holiday-themed FM stations during the festive season, introducing new generations to its timeless sound.

You can hear the majestic sound of The St. Olaf Choir on various classical and choral radio stations featured on our website. Explore the stations available on onairium.com to discover their iconic recordings and experience this premier American ensemble's music.