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St. Olaf digital concert series returns September 27

Sounds from St. Olaf, a digital concert series launched by the college this spring, is set to make its return for the fall semester on Sunday, September  27, at 3:30 p.m. CT.  

Every two weeks, a curated musical program drawn from the extensive video archive of choral and instrumental performances will center on a unique theme that presents St. Olaf music in a fresh perspective. Various ensemble conductors will also make appearances to lend viewers their insights into the music selected for that week’s concert.

Bi-weekly episodes will premiere on the St. Olaf YouTube channel every other Sunday afternoon at 3:30 p.m. CT, offering viewers an opportunity to comment and connect in real time with others. Even while audiences remain physically distant, Sounds from St. Olaf invites us to join in experiencing the power and passion of the St. Olaf ensembles together.

Tesfa Wondemagegnehu conducts St. Olaf Chapel Choir in Boe Chapel in 2019.

In our return episode on Sunday, September 27, Tesfa Wondemagegnehu, assistant professor of music and conductor of St. Olaf Chapel Choir and Viking Chorus, delivers a program loaded with some of his favorite performances in recent years. When we most need it, the right piece of music can smooth our ragged edges, fill our emotional tanks, and send us back into the world with more to give. You’ll hear well-known works from the St. Olaf Choir, exciting contemporary works from St. Olaf Chapel Choir and Viking Chorus, moving selections from recent Christmas Festivals featuring the St. Olaf Orchestra, and a few additional surprising selections. 

As announced earlier this month, St. Olaf College will not hold an in-person Christmas Festival  this year. Instead, St. Olaf will present All Earth is Hopeful, a digital concert and musical program celebrating the Advent-Christmas-Epiphany season on Sunday, December 6, 2020, at 3:30 p.m. CT. All Earth is Hopeful will be offered as an episode of Sounds from St. Olaf on that date, and more information will be sent out to students, alumni, and the public as details are finalized about the program.

Be sure to check out the  Sounds from St. Olaf website to see what the future concerts will include. If you’re not able to tune in on Sundays, episodes will also be saved to view on-demand. You can also subscribe to the St. Olaf YouTube channel to get updated when new concerts are made available.

Please find the concert below: