From Minnesota with Love by the Unexpected Company Chorale

Unexpected Company Chorale performs

Och Jungfrun Hon Gär I Ringen by Hugo Alfvén

Earth Adorned by Waldemar Åhken, arr. Kenneth Jennings

Ave Maris Stella by Edvard Grieg

Good Night Dear Heart by Dan Forrest

Sing Me To Heaven by Daniel Gawtrop

Alleluia by Ralph Manuel

The Road Home by Stephen Paulus

Simple Gifts by Aaron Copeland, arr. Daniel L. Brunner

Hymn to the Eternal Flame by Stephen Paulus

Times They Are A Changin' by Bob Dylan, arr. Adam Podd

I'll Stand by Raymond Wise

Thank You For The Music by ABBA, arr. Kirby Shaw

From Minnesota, With Love: A Musical Bridge Across the Atlantic

Unexpected Company Chorale (UCC) is a community-based choir from the Chisago Lakes Area of Minnesota, USA. For 40 years, UCC has provided high-quality, educational, and joyful choral experiences for both singers and audiences. With approximately 75 singers, most of whom are lifelong music lovers and experienced community performers, UCC presents public concerts for over 2,500 audience members annually. Under the artistic direction of Ken Cheney, the choir has become known for its impressive musicianship, especially as an unauditioned ensemble, performing a diverse repertoire that ranges from classical works to folk traditions and world music.

In May 2025, UCC will travel to Sweden as part of its 40th anniversary project, “From Minnesota, With Love.” This journey is more than a concert tour—it’s a heartfelt cultural exchange designed to renew and strengthen the historic and personal ties between Minnesota and Sweden. Many communities in the Chisago Lakes Area have roots in Swedish immigration, and our region maintains international Sister City relationships with Swedish towns such as Mellerud, Algutsboda, Nöbbele and Tingsryd. Minneapolis, MN, is also a sister city with Uppsala. The Chorale is looking forward to meeting the Västgöta Nation Male Choir, Korgossarna, who are scheduled to travel to Minnesota in September of 2025. We are excited to host Korgossarna when they visit the Chisago Lakes Area.

During our tour, UCC will visit eight cities, give four performances, host two community receptions, and collaborate with Swedish choirs to build friendships, share traditions, and explore our common heritage. We believe this tour will create lasting bonds—musical and personal—that will deepen engagement between our communities. We are excited to be performing with Bettes Drängar in Mellerud, Musiklinjens kör vid Södra Vätterbygdens folkhögskola in Jönköping, and Mixed Voices in Algutsboda. Sharing our concerts with local choirs will help us to celebrate the power of music to unite people across cultures.

Director - Ken Cheney

Starting in the fall of 2013, Music Director Ken Cheney was named the fourth conductor of Unexpected Company. Under his guidance, the chorus has consistently expanded the programming to include Cabaret shows and events that expand the reach of UCC. This expanded reach shares the love of choral music through Choral Festivals with local high schools and Vocal Workshops.

Cheney graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in music from St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN. While at St. Olaf he was the Bass Section Leader of the St. Olaf Choir and traveled with the group to Asia twice. His directing debut was as a substitute conductor for the Basilica of St. Mary Cathedral Choir, where he was also the Bass Section Leader and a member of the Schola Cantorum, a semi-professional group that performed vespers services during Advent and Lent. He has also performed with the Bach Society, where he was a member of the Sebastian Singers, and with the Minnesota Chorale, where he was a contract singer and section leader.