Magnum Chorum

What Magnum Chorum does

Magnum Chorum is a Minneapolis-based non-profit choral organization founded in 1991, presenting a cappella sacred and classical choral concerts. The ensemble consists of 55-60 auditioned singers performing a seasonal concert series of five major performances annually, currently in its 35th anniversary season (2025-2026). The choir operates as Choir in Residence at Westwood Lutheran Church in St. Louis Park, Minnesota, where Tuesday evening rehearsals are held from September to May.

The organization's core offerings are live concert performances including Requiem (November), Gloria Christmas Concerts (December), Sacred Choral Treasures (March), a 35th Anniversary Gala (April), and The Road Home Spring Concert (May), supplemented by a Composer in Residence program, recorded content on YouTube, and community outreach including prison ministry. The ensemble has expanded internationally with its first tour to Sweden and Norway in 2023 and has featured at national and international choral events including the 2017 ACDA National Conference, 2020 Chorus America Virtual Convention, and 2022 Latvian Song and Dance Festival.

Revenue is generated through ticket sales at prices ranging from $5 (student) to $40 (general admission at-the-door), with season ticket packages at $110-$125, alongside member dues, gala/special event proceeds, and donations which represent 60% of funding. The organization operates with a small paid staff of 1-10 including Artistic Director Dr. Dwight Jilek (appointed 2018), Executive Director Martha Kunau, Director of Development Kim Bowman, Operations Manager Peter Haugen, and Associate Conductor Karen Lutgen. Distribution channels include Eventbrite online ticketing, phone/mail orders, and a Vanco-powered online donations platform, with marketing partnerships through Classical MPR and local press.

Name

Magnum Chorum

Legal name

Magnum Chorum

Website

https://magnumchorum.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1991

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Magnum Chorum is a Minneapolis-based non-profit choral organization founded in 1991, presenting seasonal a cappella concerts with a 55-60 voice auditioned ensemble. It serves Minneapolis-St. Paul audiences through ticketed performances, donations, and its role as Choir in Residence at Westwood Lutheran Church.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Choral Music Performance

NAICS

Musical Groups and Artists (711130), Musical Groups and Artists (71113)

akta.pro primary industry

Performing Arts Centers & Presenters (Programming/Booking) (MPAGABAM)

Keywords

• Choral music performance
• A cappella concerts
• Sacred choral music
• Performing arts ensemble
• Classical choral programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Minneapolis

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Ticket Sales: Individual concert tickets sold at patron, general admission, senior, and student pricing levels. Season ticket packages also available for the full concert season.
2. Donations and Charitable Contributions: 60% of funding comes from individual donors. Multiple giving levels from Contributor ($99 and under) to Founder's Circle ($10,000+). Also accepts gifts of appreciated stock and Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) from IRAs.
3. Member Dues: Singer membership dues for the 2026-2027 season, collected annually from ensemble members.
4. Gala and Special Events: Annual anniversary gala with ticket sales, silent and live auction proceeds, and additional giving opportunities.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Magnum Chorum is a 55-voice auditioned a cappella choral ensemble that produces a seasonal series of live sacred and classical choral concerts at partner churches and venues in the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area. The ensemble also commissions and premieres new choral works, conducts a Composer in Residence program, and engages in community outreach including prison ministry. It functions as a Choir in Residence at Westwood Lutheran Church in St. Louis Park, Minnesota.

Product overview

Magnum Chorum is a 55-voice choral ensemble offering its 35th season of a cappella choral music performances. The organization's product portfolio centers on concert performances including Requiem, Gloria Christmas Concert, Sacred Choral Treasures, The Road Home Spring Concert, and a 35th Anniversary Gala. Supporting services include individual and season ticket sales, singer auditions, a Composer in Residence program, and an online donation platform. The choir serves as Choir in Residence at Westwood Lutheran Church in St. Louis Park and has recently expanded internationally with tours to Sweden and Norway.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Requiem Concert Concert performance featuring James Whitbourn's Requiem, along with In Pace by Rene Clausen and Amo by Nico Gutierrez, performed at Cathedral of Saint Paul and St. Bartholomew Catholic Church. Targeted at general concert attendees and sacred choral music enthusiasts.
• Gloria Christmas Concert Christmas concert featuring Rutter's Gloria and music by MacMillan and Gabrielli, performed at First Lutheran Church and Westwood Lutheran Church. Targeted at general public and church congregations during the Christmas season.
• Sacred Choral Treasures Concert Concert featuring music by Bruckner, Allegri, Hildegard von Bingen and other composers, performed at Holy Cross Catholic Church. Targeted at sacred choral music enthusiasts and religious communities.
• 35th Anniversary Gala Special celebration event marking 35 years of Magnum Chorum, featuring cocktail reception, dinner, live and silent auction, and performances at Metropolitan Ballroom in Golden Valley, MN. Targeted at donors, supporters, and community members.
• The Road Home Spring Concert Spring concert celebrating 35 years of music featuring works by Georg Schumann, Aaron Copland, James Erb, and Minnesota composers including Kyle Pederson and Stephen Paulus, welcoming Dr. Anton Armstrong and Magnum Chorum alums. Targeted at general public and choral music alumni.
• Season Ticket Packages Season ticket packages offering discounted access to all concerts in the 2025-2026 season; pricing ranges from $110-$125 depending on patron category (general, senior 70+). Targeted at regular concert attendees seeking discounted full-season access.
• Online Donations and Giving Online giving platform accepting one-time and recurring donations, gifts of appreciated stock, and Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) from IRAs. Multiple giving levels from Contributor ($99 and under) to Founder's Circle ($10,000+). Targeted at individual donors and supporters.

Quantifiable outcome

• Featured ensemble at 2017 National ACDA Conference premiere of Raymond W. Brock commission
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Westwood Lutheran ChurchcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1991Magnum Chorum serves as Choir in Residence at Westwood Lutheran Church in St. Louis Park, Minnesota. Rehearsals are held Tuesday evenings from September to May at this location. This long-standing partnership (since 1991) forms the foundation of the ensemble's operations and includes the spring concert venue for celebrating anniversaries (20-year partnership milestone).
• Classical MPRminorGTM or Marketing PartnerClassical MPR (Minnesota Public Radio) provides radio broadcast coverage of Magnum Chorum performances and interviews with ensemble leadership. Steve Staruch of YourClassical MPR has featured the choir multiple times, including for holiday concert coverage.
• Chorus AmericaminorOthersMagnum Chorum is a proud member of Chorus America, the leading advocacy and resource organization for choral singing in North America.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Minnesota Chorale: Twin Cities-based professional symphonic chorus that, like Magnum Chorum, performs classical and contemporary choral works in the Minneapolis-St. Paul market. Both compete for the same choral concert audience and donor base in the metro.
• VocalEssence: Minneapolis-based choral organization founded by Philip Brunelle, presenting choral concerts, educational programming, and community engagement. Direct competitor for Twin Cities choral audiences, donors, and choral-commissioning prestige.
• National Lutheran Choir: Twin Cities-based auditioned choir rooted in the Lutheran sacred choral tradition. Closely comparable to Magnum Chorum in repertoire focus, sacred choral identity, and Twin Cities performance footprint.
• Cantus: Minneapolis-based professional male vocal ensemble performing a cappella choral music. Comparable in artistic format (a cappella vocal ensemble), Twin Cities location, concert-touring model, and audience overlap with Magnum Chorum.
• The Singers — Minnesota Choral Artists: Twin Cities-based professional choral ensemble performing a wide range of choral repertoire. Direct competitor for the same concert-attending and donor audiences in the Minneapolis-St. Paul market.
• St. Olaf Choir: Historic Northfield, MN collegiate choir in the St. Olaf choral tradition from which Magnum Chorum was founded in 1991. Comparable repertoire and tradition, and a benchmark for sacred/classical choral performance that Magnum Chorum audiences and donors reference.
• The Crossing: Philadelphia-based professional choir widely recognized for commissioning and premiering new choral works. Comparable in their emphasis on new-music commissions and recordings, mirroring Magnum Chorum's Composer in Residence and premiere focus.

Regional players

• Apollo Chorus of Chicago: One of the oldest independent choral organizations in the U.S., based in Chicago. Comparable in mission (auditioned volunteer choral ensemble presenting classical works with ticketed concerts and donor support) but operates in a different geography.
• Masterworks Chorale: Twin Cities-based auditioned choral ensemble presenting classical choral works in concert seasons. Comparable in mission and market overlap with Magnum Chorum's choral concert programming in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area.

Emerging players

• Skylark Vocal Ensemble: Professional chamber choir emphasizing choral excellence and contemporary repertoire. Comparable in size, auditioned professional/semi-professional vocal ensemble model, and concert touring/presentation of choral works.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/magnumchorum

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Magnum Chorum