Dr. Sylvia Munsen is Founder & Conductor of the Ames Children's Choirs (ACC) program and Associate Professor and Chair of Music Education at Iowa State University (ISU). She received degrees from St. Olaf College, where she sang in the St. Olaf Choir, and the University of Illinois. In addition to studies in Dalcroze Eurhythmics, she is a certified specialist in Orff Schulwerk and Kodaly.

Under Munsen's direction, the ACC Concert Choir has performed at festivals and conferences throughout the Midwest, in Canada and in the Czech Republic including American Orff Schulwerk Association and Organization of American Kodaly Educators National Conferences. In 2003, the choir performed the World Premiere of John Rutter's Mass of the Children at Carnegie Hall with the composer as conductor. Munsen established the Midwest Children's Choirs Festival (MCCF), which has featured choirs from Germany, Hungary, the Czech Republic and the U.S. and bass-baritone Simon Estes as soloist. The 2007 MCCF featured Bob Chilcott as composer and guest conductor.

Munsen has been active as a clinician regarding vocal health, vocal/choral techniques, conducting and literature for children’s choirs and as a guest conductor for honor choirs. She has published choral arrangements with Kjos Music Company and Santa Barbara Music Press. She remains active as a singer and flutist and was a singer in the trio, The Chenilles, which performed four years on Garrison Keillor's "A Prairie Home Companion."

Active as a clinician from Iowa to national and international venues, Munsen has conducted more than 45 festival and honor choirs including two all-state choirs and a children's choir festival at Carnegie Hall. Under the auspices of MidAmerica Productions, she has been invited to conduct the 13th Annual North American Chorale at Carnegie Hall in June 2008. Munsen has choral arrangements published through Kjos and Santa Barbara.

Munsen was a singer in and arranger for the trio, The Chenilles, which performed for four years on Garrison Keillor's "A Prairie Home Companion." She has developed a student teaching site for ISU in Rosendal, Norway, and is the author of Cooking the Norwegian Way. In 2004 she was given the 1st Arts Educator Award from the Ames Community Arts Council.

Groups Directed

Ames Children's Choir