Schola Cantorum Reykjavík was founded in 1996 by the conductor Hordur Askelsson, cantor at Hallgrimskirkja. The choir’s repertoire is wide, ranging from renaissance to contemporary music. The choir gives regular concerts in Iceland and has also given concerts in Norway, Finland, Germany, Italy, Spain, Japan and France.
Schola Cantorum has participated in recordings of works by the Icelandic composer Jon Leifs (1899-1968) with the Icelandic Symphony Orchestra, as well as having recorded and performed with artists such as Bjork, Sigur Ros and Swedish experimental band Wildbirds & Peacedrums.
Schola Cantorum was appointed Official Music Group of the City of Reykjavik for the year 2006 and nominated for the Nordic Music Prize in 2007. In August 2013 the choir gave an impressive concert with the works of the Estonian composer Arvo Part. This outstanding performance resulted in the nomination of Schola Cantorum for the Icelandic Music Awards 2013.
Every summer, Schola Cantorum gives popular lunchtime summer concerts on Wednesdays in Hallgrimskirkja and has been doing so since 2009.