Laura Knutson follows sister in all-state choir

Minneota 2018 graduate Laura Knutson has followed her sister Rachel as a member of the All-State Lutheran Choir.
The choir went on tour last weekend and is scheduled to perform in Minneota at 7 p.m., Thursday, June 21 at Hope Lutheran Church.
The choir is directed by Dr.Michael Culloton, an associate professor of music at Concordia. Knutson is one of the sopranos in the choir, which is composed of recently graduated seniors from across Minnesota.
The only other area members of the choir are Julie Saundersd of Odin, Kaidence Vaughn of Clarkfield, Ethan Haines of Willmar and Elijah Grove of Morris.
The accompanist is Andrew Steinberg, a sanctuary worship director and organist at Trinity Lutheran Church and Choral Department at Concordia College.
The Minnesota All-State Lutheran Choir was foundd in 1969 by Dr. Mark Aamot. He nurtured the program for 22 years and then Dr.Thomas Rossin carried it forward for 26 years from 1991 to 2016.
In 2017, Michael Culloton became the third director of the choir.
During the 48 years of the choir, it has grown from to include more than 1,700 alumni, who have shared sacred music and Christian witness with listeners through the state, including one from Minneota for many years.
The tour follows the Minneota concert with one at Zion Lutheran Church of Stewartville at 7 p.m. Friday and one at First Lutheran Church in Columbia Heights at 1 p.m. on Saturday, June 23.