From Bach to Haydn, and New Haven to Italy: Grete Pedersen’s First Months at Yale

In January, the Yale Institute of Sacred Music and Yale School of Music welcomed Grete Pedersen as principal conductor of Yale Schola Cantorum and professor in the practice of conducting—marking the arrival of one of today’s most respected choral and orchestral leaders.

Pedersen brings more than three decades of international experience as an artist and teacher. A longtime faculty member at the Norwegian Academy of Music, she has mentored generations of conductors worldwide. Her 35-year tenure with the Norwegian Soloists’ Choir established it as one of Europe’s leading ensembles, earning distinctions including Gramophone Record of the Year and the Diapason d’Or. She also founded the Oslo Chamber Choir and is widely recognized for bridging early and contemporary repertoire.

That artistry was immediately evident in her March 5 debut with Yale Schola Cantorum and Juilliard415 in Woolsey Hall. Centered on Bach’s Magnificat, the program placed Mary’s text in dialogue with works by Schubert, Poulenc, Mahler, and Lachenmann—an expansive, thoughtfully curated reflection on renewal and new beginnings that drew an enthusiastic audience response.

Trained as an organist and church musician, Pedersen brings particular depth to sacred music and oratorio. “Professor Pedersen brings equal distinction as a choral and orchestral conductor, a devoted pedagogue, and someone with a profound understanding of sacred music and its theological roots,” said ISM director, Martin Jean. José García-León, the Henry and Lucy Moses Dean of Music at the Yale School of Music, added, “An artist of remarkable vision, integrity, and humanity, Grete brings an extraordinary depth of musical insight and leadership that will enrich our community in profound ways.”