Rooted in Tradition, Singing Toward the Future: The National Lutheran Choir at 40

By Jennaya Robison, Artistic Director, the National Lutheran Choir

In the 2025–2026 season, the National Lutheran Choir marked its 40th anniversary. For me, this milestone has been both a moment of reflection and a renewed sense of purpose. For four decades, this ensemble has been a place where sacred choral music is not only preserved, but continually reimagined. Since its founding, the choir has lived into a clear vision: to celebrate, invigorate, and expand sacred choral music, bringing inspiration and meaning to people of all backgrounds. 

The National Lutheran Choir was founded in 1986 by Larry L. Fleming, whose vision was shaped by the German Kantorei tradition and a deep commitment to excellence in church music. He imagined a professional-level ensemble grounded in the liturgical and musical heritage of Lutheranism. Under his leadership, the choir quickly established itself as a significant presence in the American choral landscape, with performances at conferences of the American Choral Directors Association, the creation of the Christmas Festival tradition at the Basilica of Saint Mary, and the launch of a choral series with Augsburg Fortress. 

Fleming’s legacy is one I feel deeply as I step into this role. I remember hearing the choir under his leadership at the 1999 American Choral Directors Association conference in Chicago. And his programming style was integral in my development as a conductor when I took part in the doctoral recital of my colleague and friend, Aaron McDermid, whose doctoral research focused on the programming philosophy of Larry Fleming. Fleming understood that sacred choral music carries both historical weight and contemporary relevance. His work laid a foundation that continues to guide NLC as we grow and evolve. 

In 2002, leadership passed to David Cherwien, whose more than two decades of leadership expanded the choir’s reach and deepened its artistic voice. His work as a composer, conductor, and hymn festival leader shaped a repertoire that honors tradition while actively contributing new music to the field. Through performances with organizations such as the American Guild of Organists and Chorus America, along with an extensive discography, the choir’s national presence continued to grow. 

When I was appointed as the third Artistic Director in 2023, I was keenly aware that I was stepping into a lineage of thoughtful, visionary leadership. My work builds on that legacy while also asking new questions about what it means to be a “national” choir today. In my first year, we were awarded a $1.1 million grant from the Lilly Endowment to develop a children and youth choral program, an initiative that I believe is essential to sustaining this work for future generations. 

My perspective as conductor, soprano, educator, and composer shapes how I approach this role. I am interested in both artistic excellence and human connection. I believe the two are inseparable. Our programming reflects this, spanning chant, hymnody, masterworks, and new commissions, while also inviting audiences into deeper reflection on belonging, justice, faith, and community. I also believe that to truly share the experiences of humanity, we need to focus our efforts on 

representation in our programming. Women, people of color, and LGBTQ+ individuals have always told stories through music. We have an obligation to make sure that those stories are told through what we program in our concerts. 

One of the defining characteristics of the National Lutheran Choir is its ability to hold tradition and innovation at the same time. I often describe our work as “narrative programming,” a concept first developed by Fleming. This approach has been nurtured by Fleming, Cherwien, and now in my own leadership. We craft concerts as experiences that may include spoken text, movement, or visual elements that deepen the musical arc. Our goal is not simply to present music, but to create a space where performers and listeners can encounter something meaningful. The audience is not separate from that experience. In many of our programs, audience singing is central, reinforcing the idea that this work belongs to all of us. 

Our identity as a national ensemble continues to evolve. While we are rooted in the Twin Cities, our reach extends far beyond Minnesota. Through tours, conference performances, and digital initiatives, we are connecting with audiences across the country and around the world. Livestreaming and digital content have made it possible for our work to be experienced far beyond the concert hall. 

A recent example of this expanded reach is our nationally broadcast program on Minnesota Public Radio, New Day: A Choral Anthem for a New Era, featuring music by Jocelyn Hagen and Marianna Martines. This project reflects our commitment to programming that speaks to today’s audiences while remaining grounded in historical tradition. The program lifted up the voices of women and included collaboration with the Treble Singers of Angelica Cantanti Youth Choirs and Grammy Award–winning soprano Sarah Brailey. 

The choir’s work has been recognized with awards such as the Wittenberg Award, Chorus America’s Margaret Hillis Award, and the Dale Warland Singers Commissioning Award. While these honors are meaningful, what matters most to me is the role this ensemble plays in creating space for connection and reflection. 

At its core, the National Lutheran Choir is grounded in a simple belief: that singing the sacred stories of humanity matters. In a time when many are searching for connection, choral singing offers a powerful shared experience. It asks us to listen deeply, to breathe together, and to participate in something larger than ourselves. 

For those of us in the choral profession, this work carries responsibility. The repertoire we choose, the stories we tell, and the communities we build all shape the future of our field. I see this work as both an invitation and a challenge—to engage tradition thoughtfully, to expand it responsibly, and to ensure that our art form remains vibrant and relevant. 

As we move beyond this 40th anniversary, I hope that the National Lutheran Choir continues to be a place where people gather, where stories are shared, and where the act of singing creates a sense of belonging. That, to me, is the heart of this work. 

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About the author

Dr. Jennaya Robison is the Artistic Director of the National Lutheran Choir and an in-demand conductor, educator, composer, and soprano. Known for leadership and creative programming, she has led All-State and honor choirs, workshops, and festivals across the United States. Her work centers on collaboration and inclusive choral artistry. Robison is committed to voice pedagogy in the choral ensemble, emphasizing expressive singing and each singer’s unique vocal potential. In 2025, she led a nationally syndicated MPR broadcast of works by Jocelyn Hagen and Marianna Martines with the National Lutheran Choir. She has held academic appointments at Luther College and the University of Missouri–Kansas City Conservatory. A published composer and arranger, she curates choral series for MorningStar Music, Galaxy Music, and Pavane Music. She serves as chair for Music in Worship for ACDA.