René Clausen

Of Stars and Sages

November 14 & 15, 2026

Singers in Accord and renowned conductor and composer René Clausen invite you to experience a musical journey through wonder, love, and transformation in their upcoming concert, Of Stars and Sages.  The program includes the world premiere of a new work by René Clausen, with text by Katie Clausen.

The evening opens with Bobby McFerrin's chant-like, serene setting of Psalm 23, followed by American composer Randall Thompson's Choose Something Like a Star from Frostiana, his choral suite of seven Robert Frost poems.  In a similarly neo-Romantic style comes the lyrical and highly expressive If Music Be the Food of Love by Minnesota composer David Dickau.  The program then turns—both heartfelt and witty—to an exploration of romance featuring Paul Sjolund's satirical set of four short madrigals, and Walter Cecil Macfarren's You Stole My Love.  The set closes with two romantic loves songs—Z. Randall Stroope's soulful Amor de mi Alma (Love of My Soul) and René Clausen's O My Luve's Like a Red, Red Rose.

 In its world premiere, Chrysalis opens a new collaboration between composer René Clausen and writer Katie Clausen whose combined gifts create Chrysalis, a composition for choir and eleven instruments.  Commissioned by Singers in Accord for Of Stars and Sages, Chrysalis unfolds across four movements—Sound, Noise, Silence, and Flight Song--where the wedding of music and text traces a journey from the internal darkness of the chrysalis to the emergence of light and life.

 The concert culminates with Lux Aeterna (Light Eternal) from English composer John Rutter's widely known Requiem. A shining example of British euphony, its gentle lyricism serves as a balm of consolation, blessing, and solace for listeners as well as singers.

René Clausen

René Clausen

René Clausen is an American composer and conductor. Described as "eloquent," "subtle and thought-provoking," Clausen’s music is known for its dramatic, emotional sweep and highly sensitive approach to text setting.

Clausen’s catalogue includes dozens of commissioned works for chorus, orchestra, chorus with orchestra, wind band, and the stage. Notable large format works include the 9/11 tribute MEMORIAL. Notable a cappella works include Mass for double choir (featured on the Kansas City Chorale’s Grammy-winning Life and Breath: Choral Works by René Clausen).

Clausen retired in 2020 as a Reuel and Alma Wije Distinguished Professor at Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota, where he directed the internationally renowned Concordia Choir. Clausen was the artistic director of the award-winning Concordia Christmas Concerts, which are frequently featured by PBS stations throughout the nation.

Prior to his appointment as conductor of The Concordia Choir, Clausen was director of choral activities at West Texas State University, Canyon, and assistant professor of choral music at Wichita (Kansas) State University. He also served as senior editor of Mark Foster Music Company and as interim conductor of the National Lutheran Choir of Minneapolis.