Our Mission
The mission of Honors Choirs of Southeast Minnesota is to promote the highest standard of excellence in the preparation and performance of choral music, seeking to provide artistic challenge and growth opportunities for youth throughout the region and enjoyment for the community at large.
History
Founded as an auditioned high school choir in Rochester, Minnesota in 1992, today Honors Choirs of SE MN is the largest youth music organization in the area, serving 250-350 young singers from the Rochester and surrounding communities. Founder and Artistic Director, Dr. Rick Kvam, believes participating in choir develops neurons in young brains, gives youth the chance to learn cooperation without competition, and affirms to young people the power of beauty through joyful singing.
From inception, the organization’s reputation for excellence emerged quickly, and within three years the small ensemble had grown to nearly 90 members. Between 1997 and 2001, the organization added several choirs and expanded to include singers in grades 3-12. In 2015, Honors Choirs expanded its programming to include a class for children in grades 1 and 2.
After 31 years of existence, over 2,000 singers have participated directly as members of an Honors Choirs ensemble, and thousands of young people have experienced choral music through area school outreach performances.
Achievements
In recognition of commitment to the arts, youth, and excellence, the Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council named Honors Choirs the 2001 Arts Organization of the Year. The organization received the Mayor’s award for Outstanding Youth in the Arts in 2014, and Excellence in Arts Education in 2018. Rick Kvam was recognized in 2014 by Greater Rochester Arts & Cultural Trust with an award for Outstanding Leadership in the Arts. He was inducted into the Minnesota Music Hall of Fame in 2016.
The choirs have performed on tour in places near and far including New York City, Philadelphia, Chicago and Ames (IA), and international venues in Czech Republic, Austria, Netherlands, France, Italy, British Columbia, Montreal, Newfoundland, Finland, Estonia, Sweden, and Ireland.
Current Season
Between 250-350 singers enroll in the Honors Choirs program each season, representing over 50 schools and 25 communities in southeastern Minnesota. The choirs perform several major concerts for the community, host a choral festival for area elementary schools, and regularly tour area schools in an effort to reach out to other young people in the community. The organization regularly collaborates with Choral Arts Ensemble and has also provided programming at Rochester Boys and Girls Club in the past.
Conductors
Rick Kvam
Artistic Director & Concert Choir Conductor
Dr. Rick Kvam holds music degrees from Harvard College and Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. He founded Rochester Men’s Capella in 1982, Choral Arts Ensemble in 1985, and Honors Choirs of Southeast Minnesota in 1992. His Choral Arts Ensemble has sung with Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra and appeared on Prairie Home Companion, and sang most recently in a production of The Events at the Guthrie Theater (Minneapolis, MN). His Honors Concert Choir has appeared at the national convention of Chorus America, New York City’s Lincoln Center, and has been repeatedly selected for national Best of High School a Cappella compilations. Dr. Kvam currently serves as Artistic Director and conductor for both organizations. In 2014, he received the Leadership in the Arts award given by the Greater Rochester Arts and Cultural Trust. Dr. Kvam was inducted into the Minnesota Music Hall of Fame in 2016. Dr. Kvam and his wife Jan raised two daughters, Johanna & Audrey, and live in Rochester.
Aaron Schumacher
Chorale Conductor
Aaron Schumacher has been directing Chorale since 2018. He holds a bachelor of arts degree in vocal and instrumental music from Concordia College in Moorhead, MN, where he sang under the direction of Dr. Rene Clausen as a member of The Concordia Choir. He is in his 17th year working in education at Zumbrota Mazeppa Schools, having focused on vocal and classroom music at the middle school level, and most recently taking on a district-wide administrative role. During his time at ZM Schools he has also taught band lessons, directed musicals, coached Mock Trial teams, and been a Peer Coach for fellow teachers. He is a member of Choral Arts Ensemble. Aaron lives in Zumbrota with his wife, Stephanie, and their children, Kate and William.
Stephanie Schumacher
Children’s Chorus Conductor
Treble Choir Conductor
Director, Education & Enrichment
Stephanie Schumacher is excited to begin her second season with Honors Choirs as the conductor of both Children's Chorus and Treble Choir, and the Director of Education and Enrichment. Stephanie holds a bachelor of arts in music education from Concordia College, where she studied with Dr. Rene Clausen. Prior to joining Honors Choirs, Stephanie worked in the public schools, teaching choir and directing musicals. Under her direction, many of her singers participated in the MN All-State Choirs and ACDA honor choirs. She serves as the Southeast District Chair of ACDA of Minnesota, and is an adjudicator for MMEA, ACDA, and various local contests. She is a member of Choral Arts Ensemble. Stephanie lives in Zumbrota with her husband, Aaron, and their children, Kate and William.
Amber Olson
Half Notes Director
Amber Olson is a recent graduate of Luther College with a bachelor of arts in music. Amber sang with Honors Choirs for six years, Nordic Choir at Luther College for three years, and she is currently a member of the alto section with Choral Arts Ensemble. She is a lead teacher at Eureka Kids in Rochester. Amber especially enjoys working with children, and is thrilled to be back at Honors Choirs in the role of Half Notes Director.
Pianists
Jan Kvam
Treble Choir & Concert Choir Pianist
Jan Kvam holds a piano performance degree from Bethel College in St. Paul, MN, and keeps an active schedule as collaborative pianist for a wide variety of ensembles and soloists throughout the SE Minnesota region. Jan is enjoying her 22nd season playing for Honors Choirs.
Jon Davis
Chorale and Half Notes Pianist
Jon has a bachelor of arts in music (emphasis in piano performance) from Mankato State University, plays piano for a big band in Rochester called Swing Street, frequently plays with D’Sievers jazz combo in various venues, and has been the pianist and/or musical director for over 80 musicals. Jon begins his 9th season with Honors Choirs.
Samuel Haeffner
Children's Chorus
Pianist
Samuel Haefner studied music at Luther College in Decorah, IA with focuses in piano and percussion. Samuel is an active church musician, private piano teacher, and also serves as the accompanist for Byron Public Schools. He is thrilled to start his first season with Honors Choirs.
Administrative Staff
Jayne Rothschild
Executive Director
Jayne Rothschild joined the organization in 2010. She is a Rochester native and graduate of Gustavus Adolphus College with a bachelors of arts degree in organizational management. Previously a managing director at a promotion agency in Connecticut, her professional background is in marketing, special events and promotions. She is the 2023 recipient of the Advocate for Choral Excellence (ACE) Award for Southeast MN, given by the ACDA of MN. Jayne and her husband, Steve have raised two daughters, Lili & Aimee, and live in Rochester.
Karri Campbell
Financial Administrator
Karri Campbell joined Honors Choirs in 2012 and manages operational finances and provides administrative support. She holds a degree in accounting and worked previously for a Rochester hotel in the finance department. Karri and her husband, Scott live outside St. Charles, with their two daughters, Brianna & Kyleigh.
About the Board
Our Board is made up of both parents of singers and people from the community who are committed to supporting the arts and youth. Each member serves for a 3-year term and can serve for up to two consecutive terms.
Board meetings are generally held the fourth Monday of each month at 7:00 pm at the Honors Choirs offices at Bethel Lutheran Church. Meetings are open to the public. Please call the office if you would like to attend a meeting.
If you wish to reach a current board member by email, please contact President, Simon Glaser. If you are interested in serving on our Board, we'd love to hear from you! Please fill out the board member application form below.
Board Members
+ Simon Glaser, President
+ Emily Andersen, Vice President
Emily Andersen cherishes music, from the tradition of the family band and singing carols for 4-H as a young child to memories of State Piano Solo Ensemble performances. She now enjoys watching the thrill her children find in vocal arts along with piano, violin, and drumming. A family favorite is attending community musicals and worship concerts. Emily has two children involved in Honors Choirs, Per (12 years) in Chorale Choir and Kai (15 years) in Concert Choir. Kai has also performed in 2 of the Honors Choirs summer productions. After attending the University of Wisconsin-Madison for 3 years, Emily completed her undergraduate degree at North Dakota State University followed by a Master's in Education from Minnesota State University Moorhead. She is currently teaching her 19th year as an Early Childhood Special Education Teacher for the Rochester Public Schools Early Intervention team (home visiting for children birth to three years and their families).
+ Jolene Hansen, Secretary
My exposure to Honors Choirs happened many years ago. My husband Alan sang with Choral Arts for 20 years. I was on the board of directors and served as President for a term. Several years ago we had a niece sing in Honors Choirs and attended many concerts. Most recently our grandchildren have been involved. What a wonderful experience for them and us. This organization is a treasure for our community and we look forward to many years enjoying the terrific talent of the Choirs.
+ Katherine Walters, Treasurer
+ Bradley Nuss, PAST President
Brad is the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Nuss Truck Group, Inc. He’s married to Rebecca Nuss, and they have two children, Bronwyn Skye and Rhys Warwick. He has held his current title with Nuss Truck Group since 2006, but has worked in the business in various capacities since 1990. Brad (a native of Rochester), graduated from Mayo High School, and graduated from Gustavus Adolphus College with a Bachelor of Arts degree (major in Organizational Management and near-minor in Classics).
+ Sharon Ahn
+ Nikki Anderson
+ Anjanette Bandel
Anjanette values Honors Choirs promotion of the gift of music and teaching youth to be highly skilled and excel in their vocal talents. Anjanette has performed in four musical productions produced by Honors Choirs alongside her daughter who sang with Honors Choirs for eight years. A graduate of Concordia College, Moorhead she participated as a violinist in the Concordia Orchestra. Anjanette enjoys acting in local theater and is a vocalist performing in a local women’s trio, Triple Berry Pie. Anjanette is an ordained Lutheran pastor serving since 2008 at Bethel Lutheran Church, Rochester where she is lead pastor. She is married to Warren Bandel, a local musician, and enjoys traveling, writing, and time with her children, Sela and Erick Rist.
+ Paul Groehler
Music has always been an integral part of Paul’s life. Through the years he has been involved in school bands, piano, vocal arts, musicals and a local church worship team. Currently, he lives music more vicariously through his children. His daughter, Sydney, began singing with HC of SE MN in 2017 and Paul was immediately fascinated by the quality and precision of the music. Subsequently, HC of SE MN has been inspirational on many levels, leading to his involvement on the board. By being a part of HC of SE MN board he hopes to help area youth realize the benefit and joy of using their musical gifts and promote life long involvement in some type of musical hobby. Stated best by L.R. Knost, ‘Music speaks the language of the soul’. May HC of SE MN help these singers speak and express the language of their souls.
+ Andy Kollengode
+ Dotti Loutfi
+ Andy Moore
+ Deanne Wallenstein
Looking for an opportunity to expose her daughter to develop her natural talents led Deanne to the Honors Choirs of SE Minnesota. It has been an incredible journey for her to see the skills and abilities that are brought out in the area youth through these choirs, and also the passion that stems from the entire organization. Deanne is a nurse manager in Family Medicine and has been blessed to see the healing power of music throughout illness and health. It is a joy for her to be a part of an organization that fosters inclusivity and an appreciation of the fine arts.
+ Carolyn Warner
As a Rochester native, Carolyn was blessed to have the opportunity to sing with Honors Choir as a high school student. She is incredibly thankful that her daughters are now able to develop an appreciation and deeper knowledge of choral music through their experience with Honors Choir. Passionate about all the performing arts including music, dance, and theatre, Carolyn once (in a former life) thrived performing onstage with groups such as the Rochester Civic Theater and Children’s Dance Theatre. She now spends her days helping patients improve their sleep as a nurse practitioner, and managing the beautiful chaos that comes with raising three young daughters.
