At Augustana, all students — regardless of major — are welcomed and encouraged to audition for participation in the university's choirs. Auditions for incoming/first-year students are held during orientation weekend, just before classes begin in the fall. Returning students audition each spring in early May.
For questions about the process or vocal studies at Augustana, contact Director of Vocal Studies Dr. Russell Svenningsen.
The Augustana Choir has a rich history spanning more than 100 years. Founded in 1921, and chartered by the faculty of then Augustana College, its mission has always been to "serve God, the church and our school" through choral music. The choir's founding conductor Dr. Carl Youngdahl envisioned a group that would "perform a cappella and could thereby appear in the smallest of churches as well as the largest, and our concert would be a sermon in song." Today, the Augustana Choir continues to bring choral music of many styles and of the highest caliber to audiences around the region, nation, and world. By embracing both sacred and secular music the Augustana Choir seeks to ensure that its legacy will both evolve and endure; reflecting the dynamic nature of choral music in the modern world and honoring the tradition from which it hails."
Members of the choir and our other choirs are auditioned from the Augustana student body and represent all academic majors. These singers are devoted to bringing their "sermon in song" to audiences anywhere in the world — from Carnegie Hall and churches of the American prairies to the cathedrals of Europe. The choir has pride in being able to continue the strong choral traditions of the colleges of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA).
The Augustana Choir is led by Dr. Russell Svenningsen.
The Augustana Bach Collegium, under the direction of Dr. David Chin, is a distinguished ensemble devoted to the performance of the sacred works of Johann Sebastian Bach, with an emphasis on historically-informed practices. Based at Augustana, the Collegium unites outstanding student singers and instrumentalists with faculty and professional musicians from the region to explore the depth, complexity and spiritual power of Bach’s music.
The ensemble presents a recurring Bach Cantata Series, performing multiple cantatas each semester in an engaging lecture-concert format that invites audiences into both the theological and musical dimensions of these masterpieces. Past repertoire includes Christ lag in Todesbanden, BWV 4; Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland, BWV 61; Jesu, meine Freude, BWV 227; Aus der Tiefen rufe ich, Herr, zu dir, BWV 131; and O Jesu Christ, meins Lebens Licht, BWV 118.
The Bach Collegium is led by Dr. David Chin.
Angelus is Augustana University’s premier treble-voice ensemble, dedicated to the performance of rich and diverse repertoire written for treble voices. Angelus appears regularly in a wide array of musical events on campus and throughout the region. The ensemble plays a vital role at the university — participating in major choral concerts, collaborative masterwork performances and special campus events.
Angelus is led by Natalie Campbell.
VikingKor, Augustana's dynamic tenor/bass ensemble, has quickly established itself as a vital and compelling voice at the university. Founded in 2024 and named in honor of Augustana’s beloved mascot, VikingKor is dedicated to the exploration and performance of exceptional repertoire for lower voices — spanning sacred and secular traditions, global styles and contemporary works that resonate with purpose and artistry.
The ensemble has grown rapidly in size and stature — earning recognition for its expressive sound, spirited community and musical excellence. Rehearsing three times a week on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday afternoons, VikingKor is open to students of all majors and is committed to fostering musical growth and shared artistry in alignment with the mission of Augustana University.
The VikingKor is led by Dr. Russell Svenningsen.
