NLC Children’s Christmas Choir
Calling singers in Grades 2-6!
The annual Christmas Festival with the National Lutheran Choir at the Basilica of Saint Mary is one of the most time-honored traditions of the Christmas season in the Twin Cities. Many people feel like the season of Christmas begins when they experience the sacred message of Christmas as told in music and story at the NLC Christmas Festival. We are thrilled to be able to offer a unique opportunity for singers in grades 2-6 to join the National Lutheran Choir as part of our three-concert production for the NLC Christmas Festival, “Healing of the Nations,” on December 13th; 14th, 2024, at the Basilica of Saint Mary. Singers will participate by singing alongside NLC during the concert and will be featured in our live-stream broadcast. Singers will need to submit a video for consideration. Singers must be available for all rehearsals and performances.
Schedule
Singers must be able to attend all rehearsals and performances.
Rehearsals:
Sunday, November 17, 2024 | 3-4 pm | Immanuel Lutheran Church (St. Paul) | Children’s Choir only
Sunday, December 8, 2024 | 3-4 pm | Immanuel Lutheran Church (St. Paul) | Children’s Choir only
Monday, December 9, 2024 | 7-8 pm | Basilica of Saint Mary (Minneapolis) | with the NLC
Thursday, December 12, 2024 | 7-8 pm | Basilica of Saint Mary (Minneapolis) | with the NLC
Performances:
Friday, December 13, 2024 | Call at 3:30pm, Concert at 4:30pm | Basilica of Saint Mary (Minneapolis)
Saturday, December 14, 2024 | Call 12:30pm, Concert 1:30pm | Basilica of Saint Mary (Minneapolis)
Saturday, December 14, 2024 | Call 7:00pm, Concert 8:00pm | Basilica of Saint Mary (Minneapolis)
How to Participate
Deadline extended! Submissions due October 27th, 2024
1. Complete the submission form.
2. Prepare a video in which your singer:
States their name and grade, and
Sings “Happy Birthday” on the starting pitch of D.
Please name the file using your singer’s name and grade (Ex: Julia-Grade4)
3. Upload your video here.
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Video files must be saved either as a .mov file or a .mp4 file.
Submission videos may be recorded via phone, tablet, or computer either using a built-in camera. Alternatively, you may record via Zoom and save the recording.
Tips:
Uploads will be submitted to Dropbox, but you do not need a dropbox account to upload the file.
If you are uploading from your phone, be sure that your screen does not go to sleep during uploading. Screens must stay active and lit for Dropbox to continue uploads.
All singers will be contacted by November 1, 2024.
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A native of Denver, Colorado, Stefanie Fiser Kleven currently resides in Mound, Minnesota with her husband and two young sons. She sings soprano in the National Lutheran Choir and is active in the Twin Cities as a choral music educator, soloist, and church musician, most recently as Minister of Music at Peace Lutheran Church of Plymouth. Passionate about the legacy of the music of the church, Stefanie serves on the Advisory Board of the Lutheran Summer Music program, where she was on staff from 2007-2013. Stefanie has a B.A. in Vocal Music Education from St. Olaf College and K-12 Minnesota certification.
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Dr. Jennaya Robison is the Artistic Director of the National Lutheran Choir (Minneapolis, MN) and is a highly accomplished conductor, educator, and soprano. Her extensive work in the field of choral conducting includes serving as the Raymond R. Neevel/Missouri Associate Professor and Director of Choral Studies at the University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory until 2023, Associate Professor of Choral Music at Luther College from 2013 to 2020, and founding Scottsdale Musical Arts in 2009. Robison frequently appears at regional and national choral conferences and seminars; regularly leads All-State and honor choirs, workshops, and festivals; and has taught courses in choral singing and global connection in the United States, Namibia, South Africa, Germany, and Italy. She is the editor of the National Lutheran Choir Series with MorningStar Music Publishers and the Jennaya Robison Series with Pavane Publishing, and she is an active arranger and composer of choral music. She is the national chair of Music in Worship for the American Choral Directors Association. She holds the Doctor of Musical Arts in choral conducting from the University of Arizona, the Master of Music in conducting and voice from the University of New Mexico, and an undergraduate degree in music (education and voice) from Luther College.
Questions? Please contact the National Lutheran Choir office at info@nlca.com or 612-722-2301.