HYMNUS INC

Hymnus was founded in 2002 in a direct response to a need in the New Prague area for a high standard, community based choir. Our current musical director is Rush Wagner. The mission of Hymnus is to give people of the greater New Prague area ~boys, girls, teens, and adults~ the opportunity to experience the joy and satisfaction of learning and singing the great music of western tradition. Choristers are taught solid skills involving vocal production and sight singing, with the young people singing alongside adults, to the same standard as adults. Additionally, members of Hymnus gain maturity, discipline, concentration, and an appreciation for the value of work in harmony with a group toward a common goal. Members are encouraged to give back to their community by participating in the Minnesota Adopt a Highway program, ringing bells for the Salvation Army, and other charitable events. In the spring of 2009 Hymnus presented a concert series titled "Light out of Darkness", which featured music that was born out of tragedy, and dedicated to those in crisis. In December, Hymnus will be presenting the New Prague Community Holiday Concert, which will feature several performing arts groups from the area. Hymnus not only performs locally, but has represented Minnesota by singing as choir of residence at Westminster Abbey in London, Saint Peter's Basilica, Rome, and Carnegie Hall, New York City. In 2010, Hymnus presented an a capella concert in celebration of the human voice, and will once again present the New PRague Community Christmas Concert. In February 2011, Hymnus members joined with the Dakota Valley Symphony Orchestra and Chorus to sing Beethoven's 9th Symphony, and in May of 2011, joined forces with the Cannon Valley regional Orchestra of Northfield to present a concert of Czech compositions. Hymnus members of from all faiths, race, and economic backgrounds. Choristers wear red cassocks and white surplices when they perform, to honor the European Heritage of the area. A choir uniform is worn to and from performances to dissolve social status, to give dignity to the group, and respect to the place of venue.