Enriching Chicago’s Swedish community since 1938

The Chicago Swedish Mixed Chorus performs their annual fall concert at the Swedish American Museum in 2024.
The Chicago Swedish Mixed Chorus performing on stage at Midsommarfest in downtown Andersonville, 2024.
An assortment of chorus members pose for a photo in front of the stage where they performed earlier that day.
External view of the Swedish American Museum in Andersonville, Chicago.

We’re always looking for new members! Whether you're a seasoned singer or a shower crooner, there's a place for you in our choir. Embrace the joy of harmony, make lifelong friends, and let your voice be heard.

Rehearsals are held at the Swedish American Museum Monday evenings at 7pm, September to June.

Knowledge of the Swedish language is not a prerequisite — the chorus provides an opportunity to learn Swedish and to learn about Swedish culture.



Looking to get involved?

Our 2025 Season

  • Valborg

    April 30, 7:00 PM

    Valborg is an annual Swedish tradition that marks the change from winter to spring with bonfires and the singing of traditional songs.

    This year, you are invited to join the festivities as we celebrate the coming of spring at the Chicago Waldorf School in Andersonville.

  • Midsommarfest

    June 14

    Midsommar is the Swedish celebration of the summer solstice, and a time of year very important to many Swedes. For several days in June, Andersonville blocks off its main street and holds a big festival to celebrate the holiday.

    Look for us performing festive songs on the Swedish stage on Saturday, June 14!

  • CSMC Fall Concert

    October 26, 3:00 PM

    In late October, the chorus performs our very own public concert! The CSMC Fall Concert features a wide variety of non-holiday repertoire. You may hear traditional Swedish songs, ABBA, or even some jazz standards.

    The concert is a ticketed event, but anyone can attend, and fika (coffee + Swedish treats) will be provided. Please join us for an afternoon of song and cheer!

  • Julmarknad

    December 6

    Join us for Julmarknad at the Swedish American Museum in Andersonville. Julmarknad is a holiday market where you can purchase a variety of goods like handmade Dala horses, Christmas ornaments, and pepparkakor (Swedish gingerbread).

    We will sing Swedish and American holiday songs while attendees shop.

  • The Santa Lucia Festival

    December 13, 7:00 PM

    We join other Swedish groups at Ebenezer Lutheran Church to sing and celebrate St. Lucia, an Italian saint noted for feeding the homeless and poor whose legend was first adopted and celebrated in Stockholm in the 1920's. Today all of Sweden honors the legend every December 13.

Our History

The Chicago Swedish Male Chorus was organized in 1938 as a result of a merger of three independent singing groups, Harmoni, Bellman, and De Svenske. 

Records show that the oldest Harmoni participated in the American Union of Swedish Singers (A.U.S.S.) festival in 1905. The new chorus consisted of 53 active singers who first performed in concert on March 19, 1939. The chorus joined the A.U.S.S. in 1946.

In 1948 it affiliated with the Verdandi Club of Chicago. In 1995, the chorus began holding practices at the Swedish-American Museum. When the Orphei and Svithiod singing clubs disbanded, some of the members joined the Chicago Swedish Male Chorus.

In 2017 the Chicago Swedish Male Chorus invited women to join and became the Chicago Swedish Mixed Chorus.

A collage of two different archival photographs of previous incarnations of the chorus, one in black & white and one in faded color. All members are men, neatly dressed in suits. In one photo they are wearing boater's caps.

Get in touch

We would love to hear from you! Send us a message or email us if you have questions, thoughts, or want to get involved.