National Lutheran Choir – Minneapolis/St. Paul | celebrating the art and culture of sacred choral music

With the partnership of Public Radio International, the National Lutheran Choir Christmas Festival will reach a national audience this holiday season.

The National Lutheran Choir depends upon the generosity of individuals for a significant portion of its operating budget. Income from ticket and recording sales constitutes only 46% of the budgeted cost of presenting presenting concerts and workshops, and participating in worship services (for the 2005-6 season).

Thrivent Financial for Lutherans matches the gifts of their members to qualified organizations, National Lutheran Choir among them. Since our enrollment in the Thrivent Financial GivingPlus program in October 2005, individual contributions to National Lutheran Choir have been matched with an additional $6,000 in matching gifts from Thrivent.

A recent segment on National Public Radio's program "All Things Considered" noted the American public's increasing involvement in community choruses, and the happiness that comes from singing with others.

"Involvement in bowling leagues, bridge clubs, and other participatory groups has declined considerably in recent decades, but community choruses have bucked the trend. Commentator Michelle Mercer has noticed the connection between singing and happiness, as she shares in this postcard from her gleeful local chorus."

Music from the 2005 NLC Christmas Festival at the Basilica of Saint Mary will be featured on Minnesota Public Radio over the next two weekends.

On Sunday, December 18, 5:00-8:00PM, and Sunday, December 25, 5:00-8:00PM, Steve Staruch will be playing selections from our Christmas Festival program during his radio program.

In celebration of its twentieth anniversary season, the National Lutheran Choir sponsored a composition contest for young composers. The choir is pleased to announce that “Ave Maria,” a composition by Anna Jacobs has been selected as the contest winner.

Jacobs’ composition was anonymously chosen from among all contest entries by David Cherwien, Music Director, with assistance from Kenneth Jennings, composer, Carolyn Jennings, composer, and Mark Lawson, President of MorningStar Music Publishers.

Along with other regional musicians, the National Lutheran Choir will be featured on Minnesota Public Radio during the month of December. Tune in to Classical Music with John Birge during the 3:00PM hour on the following days for great music from Minnesota and Iowa musicians.

December 1, 2005:

We’re very pleased to announce that one of our most popular recordings, Heritage Volume One - European, has been reprinted, and is now on sale.

“Sacred choral music at its best!” - A-cappella.com

Don’t miss this opportunity to grab one of the NLC’s first—and most excellent—recordings. The disc is on sale for $12 until December 31, 2005.

On Sunday, October 23, 2005, the National Lutheran Choir assisted in the installation service of the new president of Luther Seminary, Dr. Richard H. Bliese. Bishop Mark S. Hanson, Presiding Bishop of the ELCA, and President of the Lutheran World Federation was the preacher at the service, which took place at Central Lutheran Church, Minneapolis.

Thrivent Financial for Lutherans has selected one of our recent recordings for distribution as an exclusive benefit of membership in the organization. “Hymns We Love to Sing” is now available on a complimentary basis to members of Thrivent Financial. If you are a member, you can order your complimentary copy of the CD by going to www.thrivent.com > Members/Chapters > Benefits/Services for Members, or by calling 800-372-8236. For more information about becoming a Thrivent Financial member, visit www.thrivent.com > Become a Member or contact your local Thrivent Financial representative.

The National Lutheran Choir has been invited to perform at the conference of the American Choral Director’s Association Minnesota chapter in November 2005.

The concert will take place at Colonial Church (6200 Colonial Way, Edina, MN 55436) on the evening of Friday, November 18, 2005. The NLC’s concert session, shared with the Honors Choirs of SE Minnesota Concert Choir, begins at 8:15PM. Admission is available to the general public for $3 per concert session.