Emerging Conductor is one of the many education programs offered by the Minnesota Chorale. Conductors – graduate students, area teachers, community conductors, and church music directors – are chosen competitively from across Minnesota and given the opportunity to rehearse symphonic choral repertoire with the Minnesota Chorale. Chorale Artistic Director Kathy Saltzman Romey provides individual coaching and feedback to each participant. The program, which has no regional parallel, gives rising conductors the experience of working with a top-rank symphonic choir.

This year, the Emerging Conductor program featured a Chorale concert performance led by Christopher Owen, DMA candidate at the University of Minnesota. The performance took place February 20, 2010, at St. Olaf Catholic Church in Minneapolis, and featured a cappella music of Rheinberger and Palestrina.