Lunds Studentsångförening

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Lunds Studentsångförening (LSS) is a Swedish amateur male choir from Lund. It began in 1831. Most members have been Lund University students, but you don’t have to study there to join.

Today LSS is one of Sweden’s top male choirs. It gives three large annual concerts—one in autumn, one at Christmas, and one in spring—plus several smaller local concerts. It often collaborates with symphony orchestras in nearby cities such as Malmö and Helsingborg. Nationally, it is best known for its May 1 performance on the stairs of the Lund University Main Building, which is shown on TV to hundreds of thousands or up to a million viewers.

A brief history:
- 1831: The choir begins; 1833 the name Lunds Studentsångförening is used; 1838 the constitution is established.
- Early leadership: Sven Lovén with Otto Lindblad; Lindblad leads from around 1835 and expands the repertoire.
- 1846–1847: The Lund Quartet tours Sweden to raise money for Akademiska Föreningen; the mission ends contentiously and Lindblad leaves.
- 1876 onward: Henrik Möller becomes conductor and expands the repertoire to cantatas and orchestral works; the idea of an elite Small Choir (Lilla Kören) takes shape.
- 20th century: Tours abroad, including the Saint Louis World’s Fair (1904). 1933 Josef Hedar becomes conductor, adds sacred music and new pieces.
- 1951–1980s: Axel Melander revives tours; Folke Bohlin reforms the organization, introduces admission tests, and raises performance level; Lilla Kören’s role changes.
- 2010: The choir buys its own home, Sångsalen, next to the Lund University main building.
- 2018: LSS records Sibelius Kullervo with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra.
- 2010s: Won Best Male Choir at the World Choir Games in Shaoxing, China.