Jeffrey O'Donnell, Executive Producer

Jeffrey O'Donnell

"We strive to produce a program of the highest technical standards to allow the powerful words and music to speak for themselves no matter when or where you listen to the program."

When Jeff O'Donnell graduated from St. Olaf College in 2002, he knew his calling was in church music. While on campus, he studied organ with John Ferguson, choral conducting with Anton Armstrong, and was a member of several music ensembles, including the St. Olaf Choir. His bachelor of music degree cum laude in church music was the perfect springboard for his future career as the producer of Sing For Joy.

While at St. Olaf, Jeff delved into the world of radio production by working as a student recording engineer at Classical 89.3 WCAL, America's first listener-supported public radio station. When a staff position at WCAL opened with the purpose of assisting in the production of Sing For Joy, Jeff was thrilled to marry his passion for church music with his interest in audio production and recording. Following the sale of WCAL in 2004, Jeff was given leadership over a new department of Broadcast / Media Services at St. Olaf and now oversees all aspects of concert and event recording and web streaming, and other technical services on campus, in addition to his work on Sing For Joy.

Jeff has been involved in many successful radio and CD projects, including the world-renowned St. Olaf Christmas Festival distributed by American Public Media. His work as a mastering engineer has been praised in magazines such as Gramophone, International Record Review, and Audiophile. In 2013 he ventured to Norway with the St. Olaf Choir to serve as audio producer for the production of a Christmas program to be aired on PBS stations nationwide, and was awarded a 2013 Upper Midwest Regional Emmy® award for his work.

Jeff was recording and mastering engineer for the acclaimed release Images of Brazil on Naxos Records, featuring St. Olaf violin faculty member Franesca Anderegg and Brazilian pianist Erika Ribeiro.

Jeff enjoys being involved in the community. Over the years he has enjoyed performing with several Twin Cities choral ensembles, and in 2008 he served on the steering committee for the AGO National Convention in Minneapolis/St. Paul. An avid sports fan, he is also a terrible golfer, but doesn't let that stop him from trying.