CJ Replay: Lutheran Choral Tradition

"A major factor in achieving the refined, unaccompanied sound associated with the early St. Olaf Choir was the discipline instilled in the singers and the attention to musical detail made possible through rigorous, daily rehearsals-practices unusual at the time. The conductors unanimously agreed that these features are still one of the great strengths of the tradition. Singers in these choirs are expected to spend significant time and energy in rehearsal. There was also a consensus that students in these choirs embrace the concept of excellence and high technical standards and that they recognize rehearsal as the method for achieving this
goal. Cock noted that this awareness could be partially credited to the fact that many students coming into these choirs have had high school choral experiences under a conductor who graduated from one of the  Lutheran colleges. They lmow what to expect."

 

(from the Choral Journal article, The Choral Methodology and Philosophy of F. Melius Christiansen: The Tradition Continues, by Gregory Aune.  Scroll to page 15)