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Aspaas '95 returns to St. Olaf music program

By David Gonnerman '90
June 28, 2005

Christopher Aspaas '95 has been named conductor of Viking Chorus and Chapel Choir at St. Olaf College, succeeding Professor of Music Robert Scholz '61, who retired at the end of the 2004-05 academic year. In addition to his ensemble assignments, Aspaas teaches conducting, choral literature and voice lessons.

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Newly named conductor Christopher Aspaas '95 checks out Studio A, the rehearsal space for his Viking Chorus ensemble.
"We've found an excellent musician and teacher who'll bring some new ideas that will benefit faculty and students," says Dan Dressen, chair of the St. Olaf Music Department. "And he is a fine singer who will serve as a terrific model for our students," he adds.

Aspaas, who earned a bachelor's degree in voice performance from St. Olaf, returns to the college from a position as interim director of choral studies at Central Washington University. He recently completed his doctorate in choral music education at Florida State University in Tallahassee, Fla., with his dissertation, "A History of the Oregon Bach Festival."

"It's an honor to have this opportunity," says Aspaas, "and it's humbling to be part of a tradition like this -- a legacy -- of music and community like St. Olaf has. It's an absolute joy."

Aspaas also conducted the nationally known Chamber Choir, an ensemble that has appeared at the Northwest Regional American Choral Directors Association convention and recently traveled to Texas and Japan.

Since 2001, Aspaas has sung with the Oregon Bach Festival Chorus under maestro Helmuth Rilling of Germany. He has performed as a soloist with Rilling and the Oregon Bach Festival Orchestra, the Bach Collegium of Fort Wayne, the Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra, the Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra and the South Dakota Symphony Orchestra. He also has participated in masterclasses with Ingeborg Danz, John Wustmann and Bradley Ellingboe '80, and remains active as an adjudicator, clinician and researcher.

Aspaas and his wife, Nancy, have a 15-month-old daughter, Sofia.

Contact David Gonnerman at 507-786-3315 or gonnermd@stolaf.edu.