Unlocking, uniting and uplifting the human spirit
through artistically excellent sacred choral music
Our Mission
The National Lutheran Choir celebrates, invigorates and expands sacred choral music, bringing inspiration and meaning to people of diverse faiths and backgrounds.
Our History
The National Lutheran Choir is rooted in its mission to celebrate, invigorate, and expand sacred choral music, bringing inspiration and meaning to people of diverse faiths and backgrounds.
Founded in 1986 by the late Larry Fleming, grown under the direction of David Cherwien from 2002-2023, and now led by Jennaya Robison, the National Lutheran Choir sings a spiritual story through diverse repertoire including selections from early chant and simple folk anthems to complex choral masterworks and new compositions. Currently in its 38th year, the National Lutheran Choir features a roster of more than 65 volunteer singers from various backgrounds and faith traditions.
In addition to concertizing in the Twin Cities and on annual tours, the choir serves a national audience through artfully produced digital content, concert live streams, and other releases on YouTube, as well as through a Virtual Subscription program. A discography of 36 recordings showcases the ensemble’s music making over the years and presents hymns, choral classics, contemporary works, spirituals, and major new works commissioned by the National Lutheran Choir. Much of this influential new work is featured in MorningStar Music Publishers’ collection, the “National Lutheran Choir Series.” The National Lutheran Choir has been honored with the Wittenberg Award from the Luther Institute, Chorus America’s Margaret Hillis Award, and the Dale Warland Singers Commissioning Award.
Colleges and Universities Represented: Luther College; St. Olaf College; Concordia College, Moorhead; Gustavus Adolphus College; Augsburg University; Millikin University; University of Minnesota; Valparaiso University; Augustana University, Sioux Falls; UW-Eau Claire; Bemidji State University; Emerson College; Rhodes College; Macalester College; St .Cloud State University; St. Mary's University; University of Kansas; University of St. Thomas; North Central College, IL; Normandale Community College; Walden University; University of Mary, Bismarck, ND; Iowa State University; Wartburg College; University of Jamestown, ND; Luther Seminary; Simpson College; UW-Milwaukee; Mayville State University; University of North Dakota; North Park College
Land Awknowledgement
When we gather to share sacred music, we acknowledge that the lands on which we perform in Minnesota are the ancestral and contemporary homelands seized from Dahkóta, Anishinaabe, and other Indigenous peoples. We acknowledge that the creation stories of the Dahkóta, Anishinaabe, and other indigenous people are rooted in this place and they were the first to love, pray, grow, celebrate, cry, drum, and sing upon this land. We recognize the profoundly sacred relationship that our Native siblings have with the land, and we ask for forgiveness for the ways we have violated that which is sacred to them, and that which sustains us all.
Gender and Identity
The National Lutheran Choir proudly affirms its support of its artists, audiences, staff, Board, and friends in the LGBTQIA+ community.
The NLC recognizes that God's existence cannot be limited to any one gender. Predominately masculine imagery and language for God has marginalized members of our community, especially women and members of the LGBTQIA+ community. When possible, the NLC strives to use inclusive language when referring to God and humanity, though there are times when musical and poetic material is not changed to preserve the intentions of the composer and poet or because copyright laws prohibit changes. The spirit in which we offer our musical gifts is one of inclusivity for all humanity.
