THE BEMIDJI CHOIR, founded in 1937 by Carl O. Thompson, has gained an international reputation for excellence. Under the direction of his successor, Dr. Paul Brandvik, the choir represented the United States five times at the international choral festival, The Europa Cantat: in France, Austria, Belgium, Switzerland, and Spain. They have appeared in the Israel Festival and at the Zimriya, World Festival of Choirs in Israel. They have also performed at national and regional conventions of the American Choral Directors Association and the Music Educators National Conference.

In addition to concerts, tours, and recordings, the choir has produced a series of Madrigal Dinners for thirty-eight years. Under the direction of Dr. Logan, the 2000-01 choir presented the “Keynote Concert” at the Minnesota Music Educators Association’s Convention. The 2001-02 choir presented a concert at the Minnesota ACDA state convention, the ACDA North Central Division convention in Des Moines, IA, and in Carnegie Hall on April 15, 2002. The 2002-03 choir presented concerts at the ACDA National Convention in New York City. The 2001 tour of Italy, Austria, Germany, and Switzerland included a performance at the Third International Festival of Choirs in Siena, Italy, and a performance for Pope John Paul in Rome. The 2004- 05 choir toured Germany, Austria, and the Czech Republic including a concert at the Röthenburg Choral Festival in Röthenburg, Germany. The 2005-06 choir presented the “Keynote Concert” at the 2006 Minnesota Music Educators Association’s Convention, and performed at the 2006 North Dakota Music Educators Convention. The 2007-08 choir toured Scotland and England during May of 2008. Performance sites included St. Giles Cathedral (Edinburgh), Stirling Castle, York Minster Cathedral, Coventry Cathedral, Christ Church Cathedral (Oxford), St. Nicholas Church (Kenilworth), St. Paul’s Cathedral (London), and Westminster Abbey (London).