# St. Olaf Choir

> the a cappella choir of St. Olaf College

**Wikidata**: [Q7590871](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q7590871)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Olaf_Choir)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/st-olaf-choir

## Summary
The St. Olaf Choir is the a cappella choir of St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota. Founded in 1912, it is one of the premier collegiate choral ensembles in the United States and has significantly influenced American choral music through its recordings, performances, and educational outreach.

## Key Facts
- Founded in 1912
- Based at St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota, United States
- Official name: St. Olaf Choir; also known as "The St. Olaf Choir"
- Instance of: Choir (ensemble of singers)
- Notable for pioneering high-quality collegiate a cappella choral performance in the U.S.
- Maintains an extensive discography with multiple commercial releases
- Identified by Wikidata as 
- VIAF ID: 305129076
- MusicBrainz Artist ID: 8519368b-1e95-4746-bd96-13f288e522e1
- Discogs Artist ID: 211956
- Songkick Artist ID: 139902
- DAHR Artist ID: 109079
- Yale LUX ID: group/aa09a3ca-cbd6-4c0e-9b63-55e4b4f4dc24
- Muziekweb Performer ID: M000002485060
- Library of Congress Authority ID: no91005104
- Freebase ID: /m/01qc13_
- Wikipedia title: St._Olaf_Choir
- Wikipedia languages: English
- Image source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Olaf_Choir.JPG

## FAQs
**What is the St. Olaf Choir?**  
The St. Olaf Choir is the a cappella choir of St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota. It is recognized as one of the leading collegiate choral ensembles in the United States.

**When was the St. Olaf Choir founded?**  
It was founded in 1912.

**Where is the St. Olaf Choir based?**  
The choir is based at St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota, United States.

**What kind of music does the St. Olaf Choir perform?**  
The choir performs a cappella choral music, including classical, sacred, folk, and contemporary works.

**Is the St. Olaf Choir part of a larger organization?**  
Yes, it is part of St. Olaf College, a Lutheran liberal arts college.

**What distinguishes the St. Olaf Choir from other collegiate choirs?**  
It is notable for its long-standing tradition of excellence in choral performance, extensive recording catalog, and influence on American choral music education.

**What identifiers are associated with the St. Olaf Choir?**  
It has identifiers in major databases including VIAF (305129076), MusicBrainz (8519368b-1e95-4746-bd96-13f288e522e1), Discogs (211956), and the Library of Congress (no91005104).

## Why It Matters
The St. Olaf Choir has played a pivotal role in shaping American choral music, particularly within the collegiate and Lutheran traditions. Its recordings have set benchmarks for choral performance quality and have been widely used in educational settings. The choir’s influence extends beyond performance into pedagogy, inspiring generations of choral conductors and singers. Its tours and broadcasts have brought American choral music to international audiences, enhancing cultural exchange and appreciation.

## Notable For
- Being one of the oldest and most respected collegiate a cappella choirs in the U.S.
- Pioneering the use of high school and college tours to promote choral music
- Producing a large and influential discography of choral recordings
- Serving as a model for collegiate choral programs nationwide
- Maintaining a strong tradition of performing both sacred and secular repertoire
- Representing American choral music on international stages

## Body

### History
The St. Olaf Choir was founded in 1912 as part of St. Olaf College, a Lutheran institution in Northfield, Minnesota. It was established to promote choral music within the college and the broader community. The choir quickly gained recognition for its artistic excellence and distinctive sound, rooted in the Scandinavian choral tradition. Over the decades, it has become a flagship ensemble of American collegiate choral music.

### Institutional Context
As the a cappella choir of St. Olaf College, the St. Olaf Choir is embedded within a larger ecosystem of musical ensembles and academic programs. The college is known for its strong emphasis on music education and performance, and the choir plays a central role in that mission. It is supported by a dedicated faculty and benefits from state-of-the-art facilities and resources.

### Musical Identity and Repertoire
The choir is known for its versatility, performing a wide range of repertoire including classical choral works, folk songs, spirituals, and contemporary compositions. Its performances often reflect the Lutheran liturgical tradition, but it also embraces music from diverse cultures and periods. The group’s commitment to artistic excellence and stylistic authenticity has made it a benchmark for collegiate choral performance.

### Recordings and Discography
The St. Olaf Choir has an extensive catalog of recordings, many of which have been released commercially. These recordings have been used in educational settings and have influenced choral conductors and singers across the country. The choir’s discography includes both sacred and secular works and spans multiple decades, documenting its evolving artistic identity.

### Influence and Legacy
The St. Olaf Choir has had a profound impact on American choral music. Its tours, both domestic and international, have introduced audiences to high-quality collegiate choral performance. The ensemble has also inspired the creation of similar choirs at other institutions and has served as a training ground for many professional musicians and educators.

### Digital and Archival Presence
The choir is documented in major cultural and musical databases, including:
- **VIAF**: 305129076
- **MusicBrainz**: 8519368b-1e95-4746-bd96-13f288e522e1
- **Discogs**: 211956
- **Songkick**: 139902
- **DAHR**: 109079
- **Yale LUX**: group/aa09a3ca-cbd6-4c0e-9b63-55e4b4f4dc24
- **Muziekweb**: M00000248560
- **Library of Congress**: no91005104
- **Freebase**: /m/01qc13_
These identifiers reflect the choir’s recognition and archival presence in both academic and popular music contexts.

### Public Image and Recognition
The St. Olaf Choir is represented in public knowledge bases through its Wikipedia entry titled "St. Olaf Choir" in English. An image of the choir is available via Wikimedia Commons, linked to its Wikipedia page. The choir’s description on Wikidata emphasizes its role as the a cappella choir of St. Olaf College.

### Cultural and Educational Impact
The choir has contributed significantly to music education in the United States. Its performances and recordings are frequently used as teaching tools in choral conducting and music appreciation courses. The ensemble’s commitment to accessibility and excellence has made it a model for other collegiate and community choirs.

## References

1. Virtual International Authority File
2. MusicBrainz