Russell Svenningsen
Russell Svenningsen, co-founder and Artistic Chair of Choirs of Note™, is Director of Choral Activities and Vocal Studies at Southwest Minnesota State University. He holds a Master’s degree in Choral Conducting from the University of Cincinnati, Conservatory of Music, and a Bachelor’s degree from Concordia College, Moorhead, Minnesota. He is presently completing his Doctor of Musical Arts degree at Boston University.
Prior to coming to Southwest Minnesota State University, Mr. Svenningsen taught at the College of Mount St. Joseph. He has also taught at public schools in Ohio, and Minnesota. Mr. Svenningsen is a conductor and clinician of wide regard.
Mr. Svenningsen has studied with such distinguished conductors as Dale Warland, Elmer Thomas, Jon Washburn, Rene Clausen, Earl Rivers, Mark Gibson, and John Leman. He has appeared as a soloist and member of major ensembles and orchestras throughout the United States and abroad. He is a heldentenor of renown. As such, he is in frequent demand as both teacher and performer. He directs the Senior Choir at First Lutheran Church in Marshall, Minnesota.
Mr. Svenningsen is committed to the advancement of the music programs at Southwest Minnesota State University, and choral music throughout Minnesota and across the nation. He is a champion of the commissioning of new works and the programming of new music by talented yet unheralded composers.
