The Land of Lakes Choirboys are......

One of Minnesota’s best-kept secrets, the Land of Lakes Choirboys is considered by many to be one of the premier boy choirs in the world, often spoken of in the same breath as the famous Vienna Boys’ Choir. This internationally known choir has performed to audiences throughout the United States and the world. Perhaps the most talked-about aspect of the Choir is its hauntingly beautiful sound, a unique combination of richness, clarity, depth and power. The Choir performs works ranging from those of the old masters to contemporary composers to pieces written exclusively for them.

Over more than a quarter of a century the Choir has developed not only a varied repertoire but a whole program that enriches the lives of its members. We have very high expectations of behavior and manners from our members because of the exposure they have to different people throughout the United States and the world. Training includes “old-style” manners such as holding doors, removing hats in a building, and table etiquette. The Choir conducts leadership programs and trains the boys in conversing, shaking hands, proper grooming, appropriate behavior and the meaning of “honor.” The Choir has re-introduced the words “yes,” “no,” “please,” “sir” and “ma’am” back into the English language! In addition, since the Choir stays in host homes from different countries with different cultures, the members learn to appreciate different languages, manners and customs.

Nestled away on seven acres of land near St. Francis, the Land of Lakes Choirboys has been developing the well-rounded boy into a fine young musician since 1976. Since its founding, the choir has grown from one choir of eighteen to six choirs of more than 120 members. The choir has traveled to forty-nine of the fifty United States, Canada, and numerous countries around the world including Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Iceland, Wales, Scotland, and Poland.

In addition to the yearly concert program the Choir conducts two music camps in August of each year. The Resident Camp is for boys in the Resident, Nordic and Viking Choirs, with an average of seventy choristers as campers. The staff is made up of about twenty former choir members and twenty other Choir volunteers and staff members. Activities include music, boating, canoeing, archery, crafts, swimming. Also in August, the Choir also holds a Day Camp at its facility. This is for Prep and Training Choir Boys as well as new boys who might be interested in joining the Choir. This camp features music, archery, crafts, soccer, games, swimming, an overnight and many other fun activities.

Our Training - Prep Choir, Training Choir, and Voyager Choir

Training begins in the Prep Choir (ages 5-7) where the boys learn how their body works to produce a pure and natural sound. They begin to learn about proper posture, breathing, and behavior. They rehearse for 45 minutes once each week. After the Prep Choir the boys move into the Training Choir (ages 8+). Here the boys begin the process of becoming a "performer" where, once achieved, they are able to represent the Land of Lakes Choirboys in concerts. Through a set of requirements the boys learn about the unique form of back breathing, formation of pure vowels, basic music theory, ear training and sight singing that makes the Land of Lakes Choirboys training program one of the best musical programs in the State. In addition to these musical elements the boys are well versed in a traditional set of manners and behavior. Once these requirements have been met, the boys advance to the Voyager Choir where they are able to perform locally in Minnesota and take a small tour in the spring of each choir season.

Touring Choirs - Nordic Choir and Viking Choir

In addition to the Prep Choir, Training Choir, and Voyager Choir there are two touring choirs - The Nordic Choir and the Viking Choir. The boys advance to a touring choir through an audition process held each year. The openings in each choir vary from year to year, but, generally, the openings number between six and twelve. The Nordic Choir tours each June throughout the United States for anywhere between fourteen and twenty-one days. The music they sing comes from a variety of genres and languages. They sing in unison, two, three, and four parts. The Viking Choir tours each June around the world for anywhere between twenty-four and thirty-five days. They also sing in many languages and a wide variety of genres. Both choirs also perform throughout the year in Minnesota and neighboring states.

What to do now????? - Alumni Choir

At some point the boy begins to develop into a young man. This means that he will be graduating from the Choir program. At voice change, or the age of fourteen, the boys graduate from the Land of Lakes Choriboys and venture into new musical endeavors. However, they need not leave the program entirely. The Alumni Choir is a place for graduates to reconnect and stay actively involved in making music. The Alumni Choir perfroms throughout the area several times each year, and its tenor and bass voicing allows them to perfrom with the touring choirs in selections requiring SATB voicing.

What others have said about us!

“Fabulous intonation and fascinating harmonies”
- Marburger Neue Zeitung

“Voices clear and pure… a musical event of world class…”
- Schlitzer Bote

“It is completely without doubt that the Land of Lakes Choirboys of Minnesota, U.S.A., counts as one of the best boys’ choirs in the world. Their performance moved the audience to standing ovations and endless applause.”
- Reichenhaller Tagesblatt

"A truly amazing musical presentation."
- Dr. Rick Good, Professor of Music, Auburn University, AL

"The sheer beauty and crystalline clarity of the unchanged male voice were well-displayed. As true world-travelers and goodwill ambassadors, these are young boys of which all Minnsetans may be proud."
- Princeton Union-Eagle

The Land of Lakes Choirboys is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that serves over ten school districts, including the communities of Elk River, Anoka, St. Francis, Cambridge and many other surrounding communities.