Kenneth Jennings '50

St. Olaf College Professor Emeritus of Music Kenneth Jennings '50, who led the St. Olaf Choir for more than two decades, died August 20, 2015. He was 90 years old.

"The world of choral music lost a great giant," St. Olaf Choir Conductor Anton Armstrong '78 told Minnesota Public Radio. "He was an immense influence on many of the leading choral directors of his time, both those who were able to sing under his baton or his beautiful hands, and those who experienced his performances with the St. Olaf Choir and the other choirs he conducted. We will remember him with great love and great admiration, and most of all, with great appreciation for the beauty he brought to the world of choral music."

Jennings became the third conductor of the St. Olaf Choir in 1968, taking the helm of a renowned ensemble that up to that point had only been led by founder F. Melius Christiansen and his son, Olaf Christiansen '25.

Dr. Jennings conducts Our Father (Holy, Holy, Holy Lord of Sabaoth) by Alexander Gretchaninof.
From St. Olaf Christmas Festival, 1989 PBS Television Broadcast.

The St. Olaf Choir performs Dr. Jennings' composition The Lord is the Everlasting God.
From St. Olaf Choir Spring Concert, May 2015.

Dr. Jennings conducts St. Olaf Choir alumni in F. Melius Christiansen's arrangement of Beautiful Savior.
From the the St. Olaf Choir 100th Anniversary Concert, June 2011.