Roster 2020/21
Soprano
Jessica Auel
Angie Braunwarth
Jill Contreras
Megan Kreinbring
Cindy Shirk
Alto
Claire Baker
Sara Buechmann
Alisa Eimen
Emma Hellevik
Shelbi Morton
Leah Renne
Tenor
Steve Hogberg
Charlie Leftridge
John Zehnder
Bass
Ole Karstad
Don McGinness
Chris Paul
Fred Slocum
Musicorum Board of Directors
President - Jessica Auel
Vice President - Leah Renne
Treasurer - Don McGinness
Secretary - Jill Contreras
Our History
Musicorum was founded in 1995. Dr. David Taylor founded the group and served as Musicorum's first music director, from 1995 to 1999. Musicorum became well known for its December performances of holiday choral music in Mankato's Good Counsel Chapel.
From 2000 to 2007, Dr. Gregory Aune (Director of The Gustavus Choir) served as Musicorum's second music director. Dr David Dickau of Minnesota State University-Mankato was director from 2007 until 2009. The ensemble in 2009 was directed by Andrew Miller, an accomplished arranger and conductor. From 2010 to 2014, Musicorum was directed by Dr. Karen Boubel, Professor of Music at Minnesota State University, Mankato.
Today the ensemble has about 30 singers. The group performs many outstanding choral works that bridge centuries of composition. Musicorum holds its winter concerts each December, with spring performances the last Saturday in April. Musicorum enters this season committed to the mission that animated its founding: to bring outstanding performances of high-quality music to Southern Minnesota audiences.
Musical and Artistic Director
Dr. Brandon Dean serves as Assistant Professor of Music at Gustavus Adolphus College where he conducts the Choir of Christ Chapel and Lucia Singers, and teaches courses in choral literature, music theory and music history. Prior to his appointment at Gustavus Adolphus College, Dr. Dean completed the Doctor of Musical Arts degree in conducting from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music where he served as the conductor of the UC Women's Chorus from 2008-2011. Frequently appearing as a clinician and adjudicator, Dr. Dean served on the international panel of adjudicators for the 2012 World Choir Games. Other recent guest conducting engagements include the 2011 National Conducting Symposium with the Vancouver Chamber Choir, the Midwest American Honor Choir, the Dakota Valley Conference Festival, the Missota Conference Festival, and all-state music camps for the Iowa Choral Director’s Association. Dr. Dean is a past winner of the Nebraska Choral Director’s Association Graduate Scholarship in Choral Conducting and prepared the University of Nebraska opera chorus for The Bohemian Girl, which won the Best Choral Presentation Award at the Waterford International Festival of Light Opera. Dr. Dean is actively involved in several professional choral organizations and currently serves as the Chair of Youth and Student Activities for the American Choral Directors Association of Minnesota.In addition to the DMA degree in conducting from CCM, Dr. Dean holds the MM degree in choral conducting from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and the BM degree in vocal music education from Luther College. He has studied conducting with Weston Noble, Tim Peter, Sandra Peter, Peter Eklund, Earl Rivers, Brett Scott and Elmer Thomas. After receiving the MM degree, he was the Director of Choral Activities at Ankeny High School (Iowa) from 2003-2008.
Musicorum Accompanist
Dr. David Fienen is Emeritus Professor of Music at Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, MN. He retired in 2011 after 38 years as Cantor at Christ Chapel and Professor of Music. Most recently, he served for two years as Provost and Dean of the College, having previously been Dean of Faculty and Vice President for Academic Affairs (2000-2001), Associate Dean of the College from (1993-1996), and Director of General Education ( 2002- 2007). He also served the College as Chair of the Faculty Senate as well as chair or member of several other standing committees of the faculty.
Dr Fienen holds degrees from B.Mus. Indiana University; M.A.Rel. Concordia Seminary (St. Louis); D.M.A. University of Minnesota. This is Dr. Fienen's second time with Musicorum. He served as associate conductor in the fall of 1999 and was accompanist for several years after.
