When Jim Andrews talks about the Eagan Men’s Chorus, his voice carries the same warmth you might hear in one of their songs. “Music is a wonderful thing,” he says. “We’ve seen moments where people are brought to tears, and sometimes to smiles, and that’s why we do it.”
The Eagan Men’s Chorus (EMC) has been part of the community for over forty years, performing for those who can’t always attend public concerts. Their mission is simple but meaningful: to make music, entertain, and bring fellowship to audiences who need it most. With around 15 concerts each year at senior centers, nursing homes, veterans’ facilities, and civic events, these men give their time and their voices to lift others’ spirits.
Musical Roots As Far Back as the 1980s
Jim, the Chorus Governor, first got involved back in the early 1980s when the group was known as the “Sperryaires.” At the time, he worked for UNIVAC (now more often referred to as Unisys) in Eagan. “The employee programs were active then, and they gave us permission to start a male chorus within the company,” he recalls. “That’s how it all began.” The group sang for company events and gatherings, but when corporate sponsorship ended, the Eagan Parks & Recreation Department stepped in to keep the music alive. In 1999, the group officially became the Eagan Men’s Chorus.
Today, they rehearse on Monday nights from September through May at Augustana Lutheran Church in West St. Paul. Their current director, Kathy Andrews, Jim’s wife, brings her own energy and musical expertise to every rehearsal. “It’s a sweet story,” Jim says with a smile. “Music brought us together, and now she’s helping to lead this group.” Kathy also directs the choir at Augustana Lutheran Church, while pianist Becki Warnock provides accompaniment for the chorus.
Events for All Seasons
Each December, the EMC presents a Christmas concert in Eagan, and this year’s event will take place on December 13 at Christ Lutheran Church. “It’s one of our favorite times of the year,” Jim shares. “People love the traditional songs, and we usually raise funds to support our program.” In the spring, the chorus will hold another concert, continuing their mission to bring music to audiences throughout the community.
But the highlight of every year is the Big Sing, a weekend gathering of men’s choruses from across the Upper Midwest. “This coming April, we’re going to Appletown, Wisconsin,” Jim says. “We’ll have 13 or 14 choruses performing over the weekend. Each group sings two numbers for adjudication and receives feedback from directors. There are workshops, sight-reading sessions, and a big Saturday night concert with about 200 singers on stage.”
The weekend ends with what they affectionately call the “afterglow,” a dinner celebration where the groups unwind, share stories, and sometimes even perform one more song just for fun. “It’s a full weekend,” Jim laughs, “but it’s always rewarding. We come home tired, but happy.”
Music is About More than Performances
For the chorus, the music is about much more than performance. It’s about human connection, something Jim has witnessed time and again. “We’ve had people who haven’t spoken in years suddenly start singing along with us,” he recalls. “You can’t describe how powerful that is. It reminds us that music reaches a part of the soul that words alone can’t.”
The group currently includes about twenty members, though they’re always eager to welcome more. Jim says. “Just come to a rehearsal and see how it feels. After the holidays is a great time to join since we’ll be preparing for the Big Sing.”
As a nonprofit 501(c)(3), the chorus relies on contributions, grants, and performance fees to sustain its mission. They’re funded in part by the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund, as well as annual support from the Eagan Rotary Club and the Eagan Foundation. Each fall, they also hold a fundraising drive to encourage local businesses and individuals to get involved.
Music and the Spirit of Giving
For Jim, the heart of the chorus is its spirit of giving. “We’re not doing this for applause,” he says. “We’re doing it because music can brighten someone’s day. It’s about sharing something we love with people who might need it most.”
So, whether they’re performing at a veterans’ home, leading carols at Christ Lutheran, or singing shoulder-to-shoulder with 200 other voices in Wisconsin, the Eagan Men’s Chorus continues to live its mission: spreading joy through music, one song at a time.
If you’d like to attend a concert, book a performance, or join the chorus, visit www.eaganmenschorus.org for more information, or just stop by a Monday night rehearsal. There’s always room for another voice.
“We’re not doing this for applause—we’re doing it because music can brighten someone’s day.”