Throughout the existence of the Wartburg Choir only four conductors have directed the ensemble since its founding by Ernst Heist (1935-37). Under the direction of Dr. Edwin Liemohn from 1937 to 1968, the choir became one of the first American college choral groups to perform a European tour.

Dr. James Fritschel continued this tradition of excellence from 1968 to 1984 by expanding the choir’s international exposure. During his tenure, the choir became the only American choral group to win the International Trophy Competiton in Cork, Ireland. As a nationally known composer, Fritschel has had pieces published by Augsburg, Hinshaw, Boonin, Leonard, Jenson, and Lawson-Gould Publishing. After his time at Wartburg, he became the director of the California Lutheran University Choir.

Dr. Paul Torkelson has directed the choir since 1984. He has conducted the choir at two solo concerts at New York City’s famed Carnegie Hall, two concerts at Avery Fisher Hall in Lincoln Center, a concert in Orchestra hall in Minneapolis and the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.