Matthew J. Olson, Director of Choral Activities
The Carleton Choir
The Carleton Choir (MUSE 185) is a select SATB ensemble of 50 voices performing concertized choral music from diverse genres. It strives for artistic excellence whether singing music from the Baroque period to contemporary choral music, or arrangements of spirituals, pop covers, or global songs. The choir regularly tours at no charge to members and collaborates with other choirs, orchestras, and guest artists. Recent highlights include performances of Mozart’s Requiem and Orff’s Carmina Burana, collaborations with Voces8, Cantus, Sequentia, and The Singers – Minnesota Choral Artists, annual performances with St. Olaf’s Chamber Singers, and genre-bending concerts with the band Rogue Valley and singer-songwriter, Carrie Newcomer. Singers demonstrate moderate to advanced musicianship skills and most have strong vocal background from voice lessons and/or high school choirs. An audition is required, and members are expected to commit to the entire academic year (with exceptions offered for varsity sports, off-campus program, and unique academic circumstances). Voice lessons are also strongly encouraged for members. The Carleton Choir rehearses on Monday from 4:45 – 6:15 PM and Wednesday from 4:45 – 6:00 PM.
Carleton Voices
Carleton Voices (MUSE 186) is a vocal ensemble of 40-50 singers for all voice types that sings an eclectic array of musical styles including musical theater, pop/rock, classical, gospel, American folk, jazz, and global folk songs. The ensemble regularly collaborates with guest artists ranging from folk bands and gospel trios, to visiting professional choirs and vocal soloists. Singers do not need to be able to read Western sheet music – rehearsals will be led via a mixture of learning modes including call and response, learning tracks, instrumental support, and sheet music. Each term, Carleton Voices also collaborates with The Carleton Choir in rehearsals and a concert. A voice placement is required so that the instructor can learn about your vocal range, pitch matching skills, singing experience, and musical interests. Carleton Voices rehearse Thursdays from 5-7:00 PM and students may commit to one trimester at a time.
Musical Theater Chorus
Every other year, the Music department teams up with the Department of Theater & Dance to offer a musical theater production. A chorus is formed for productions with a schedule that accommodates membership in both Carleton Voices and Carleton Choir. In 2026, the collaboration mounted The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.
Chamber Vocal Ensembles
Each term, singers may choose to participate in chamber vocal ensembles – typically octets – that are coached by the Director of Choral Activities and then perform as part of the choral concerts. Interested students may contact Matthew Olson to learn more.
Interested Singers
Interested singers (as well as prospective students) may contact Matthew Olson for more information regarding the choir program.
Carleton Choir auditions occur every spring for current students and during new student week for first years (as well as upperclass students off-campus the previous spring term).
Carleton Voices auditions take place every term. The casual meeting is an opportunity for the conductor to learn more about singer’s vocal range, tone, pitch matching, and music background.
Please see the Choral Ensembles Audition page for audition information, schedule and sign up.
Upcoming & Recent Highlights
The 2026-2027 year begins with a special collaboration with a South African choir and instrumental ensemble. Through dance, drumming, and singing, the concert will explore how the human voice has inspired social change, hope, and resilience. The Carleton Choir will also sing at the Carleton Arboretum Centennial Celebration. In March of 2026, the Carleton Choir tours to Kansas City and Omaha collaborating with choirs and composers from UMKC and Creighton University. In Spring, both choirs combine forces to perform Brahms’ Schicksalslied with the Carleton Orchestra, and Carleton plays host to the annual collaboration with St. Olaf College’s Chamber Singers (Dr. Therees Hibbard, conductor). Throughout the year, the choirs also hold optional social activities include a Fall Bonfire on Mai Feté Island, winter sledding, off campus concert excursions, and choir dinners at their director’s home.
The 2025-2026 school year featured: a moving collaboration with Cantus exploring stories of immigrant voices; an off campus excursion to hear Sounds of Blackness at St. Paul’s Ordway Concert Hall; a performance of a Bach Cantata with orchestra at St. Olaf College; and a concert on campus by Oregon’s Capella Romana. Many choir members were also involved in Carleton’s production of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. In 2024-2025, the Carleton Choir toured to Madison and Milwaukee enjoying concert collaborations along the way, and Carleton Voices debuted as a new ensemble on campus. The 2023-2024 year began with two special collaborations with world-renowned professional choirs. In October, Carleton hosted Voces8 during which the Carleton Choir & Chamber Choir participated in a masterclass, and then performed alongside the acclaimed choir in concert under the direction of Jake Runestad. Carleton’s Medieval studies program also welcomed Sequentia – the leading experts on medieval choral music – for a week-long residency on Hildegard von Bingen that culminated in a performance. The 2023-2024 year also included a concert with St. Olaf’s Chamber Singers, collaborations with guest conductors and composers, and a performance of Mozart’s monumental Requiem for orchestra, choirs, and vocal soloists.
Recent Tours
2025 Winter Tour | Milwaukee & Madison
Highlights included concert collaborations with the Milwaukee High School of the Arts and the Vel Phillips Memorial High School in Madison, an opportunity to observe a closed rehearsal with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra and Dashon Burton (baritone), and time enjoying downtown Milwaukee including the Art Museum a, a beer garden, and some German Polka.
2023 Winter Tour | Chicago & Madison
The 2023 winter tour included performances at Madison’s stunning First Unitarian Society, Chicago’s historic 4th Presbyterian Church, the Unitarian Church of Evanston, and a send-off concert in Minnesota. Singers also enjoyed a Q & A with internationally acclaimed countertenor, Reginald Mobley, before hearing him perform Carmina Burana with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
Private Voice Lessons
Private voice lessons are strongly encouraged for members of the Carleton Choir and encouraged for members of Carleton Voices. Please visit the Private Voice Lesson Interviews.
Director of Choral Activities
Matthew J. Olson serves as Director of Choral Activities at Carleton College where he leads the choirs, instructs voice lessons, and teaches courses in conducting and a cappella arranging. Formerly, he served as Associate Conductor of The Singers, and founding Artistic Director of Bach Roots Festival. In his role with The Singers, he served as chorusmaster with The St. Paul Chamber Orchestra on multiple collaborations including performances of Bach’s St. John Passion and Handel’s Messiah. A passionate music educator, Matthew often leads choir festivals and recently served as a Visiting Professor at St. Olaf College and a guest conductor at Florida State University’s College of Music. In 2024, Matthew was named Minnesota’s Collegiate Music Educator of the Year. His award-winning compositions and arrangements are published by Colla Voce, Santa Barbara, Augsburg Fortress, and via his website. He is also an experienced singer having performed and recorded in choirs with the Carnegie Hall Festival Choir, The Orchestra of St. Luke’s, The Detroit Symphony Orchestra, the Minnesota Orchestra, and the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra. As a singer/songwriter, he was featured on MPR’s concert series Works for Words live at The Fitzgerald Theater. He studied choral and orchestral conducting at St. Olaf College, The Oregon Bach Festival, Michigan State University, The Canford Conducting School (U.K.), and The University of Minnesota.
Ensemble FAQs
Course Number MUSE 185, Carleton Choir
Rehearsals: Monday from 4:45 – 6:15 PM and Wednesday from 4:45 – 6:00 PM
Course Number MUSE 186, Carleton Voices
Rehearsals: Thursdays 5:00-7:00 PM
Audition Information Page