Linden Lundstrom

Who is Linden Lundstrom?

Linden J. Lundstrom of Rockford, Illinois, was an American choral conductor, arranger, author, publisher, and founder of Kantorei – The Singing Boys of Rockford, IL. Lundstrom grew up in Rockford, leaving in the 1930s to attend St Olaf College, Northfield MN, where he was greatly influenced by F. Melius Christiansen, founder of the St Olaf Choir. Upon graduation with a music degree, he returned to Rockford and to his first job, as choral director at the newly built Rockford East High School. He remained there for some 35 years, but this was only one segment of his choral music influence, particularly among students. He was music director at First Lutheran Church, and later Our Savior's Lutheran Church. With former student, Ronald Nelson, he self-published choral arrangements and curricula under the name Choir School Guild. In addition, AugsburgFortress published Lundstrom's The Choir School: A Leadership Manual in 1957. Lundstrom did further academic work in music at the University of Wisconsin, Madison.

Lundstrom's first major contribution to the American choral scene was his adaptation of the European Choir School to the average American congregation.