Bemidji Choir and Chamber Singers announce dates for 2009 spring tour

BEMIDJI, Minn. — The Bemidji Choir and Chamber Singers, under the direction of Dr. P. Bradley Logan, professor of music at Bemidji State University, will open a five-date 2009 spring tour on Wednesday, April 1, in Duluth, Minn.

The tour begins April 1 and will include six concerts across the state of Minnesota in five days through Sunday, April 5. Tour dates include:

• Wednesday, April 1 – 1:30 p.m. – Duluth East High School; Duluth, Minn.
• Wednesday, April 1 – 7:30 p.m. – First Lutheran Church; 1100 E. Superior St.; Duluth, Minn.
• Thursday, April 2 – 7:30 p.m. – Church of St. Patrick; 19921 Nightingale Street; Oak Grove, Minn.
• Friday, April 3 – 7:30 p.m. – Bethlehem Lutheran Church; 720 South 2nd Street; Mankato, Minn.
• Saturday, April 4 – 3:00 p.m. – Lord of Life Lutheran Church; 6190 Fairview Road; Baxter, Minn.
• Sunday, April 5 – 3:00 p.m. – Bemidji State University – Bangsberg Hall Main Theater; 1500 Birchmont Drive NE; Bemidji, Minn.

The program will feature a broad array of pieces, including “O Magnum Mysterium” by Jacob Handl and a selection of “Songs from Twelfth Night” by Kenneth Neufeld.

The Bemidji Choir was founded in 1937 by Carl O. Thompson and has gained an international reputation for excellence. The choir has represented the United States five times at The Europa Cantat, an international choir festival, and has performed in a number of other countries including Israel, Italy, Austria, Germany, the Czech Republic and Switzerland. The choir also has performed at numerous national and regional conventions across the United States.

The choir has also produced Bemidji State University’s world-reknowned Madrigal Dinners for each of their 38 seasons.

Dr. Brad Logan, director
Logan, chair of Bemidji Statee’s Department of Music and director of choral activities, received his undergraduate degree from North Dakota State University, a master’s from California State University in Long Beach and a doctorate from the University of Illinois. He has served on the faculties of the University of Montevallo, Louisiana College, University of Illinois and California State University in Long Beach. He made his Carnegie Hall debut conducting René Clausen’s “a new Creation” in 2002, conducted the BSU Chamber Singers on Garrison Keillor’s “Prairie Home Companion” in 2003 and served as conductor of the Röthenberg Choral Festival in Röthenberg, Germany, in 2005. He is the executor of the Edwin R. Fissinger Musical Estate and serves as co-editor of the Edwin Fissinger Choral Series published by Meadowlark Music Publications. He is scheduled for two Carnegie Hall conducting engagements: Randall Thompson’s “Frostiana” on March 15, 2009, and John Rutter’s “Requiem” in April 2010.