Choral groups to conclude tour with concert in Bemidji

BEMIDJI, Minn. – The Bemidji State University’s Bemidji Choir and Chamber Singers, under the direction of Dr. P. Bradley Logan, will conclude their spring tour with a concert at 3 p.m., Sunday, March 30, at Evangelical Covenant Church in Bemidji, Minn.

The choir performance is among five appearances in the spring tour, which includes concerts in Bemidji, Brainerd, Coon Rapids, Roseau and Roseville. All concerts are open to the public free of charge, although free-will offerings will be accepted to offset tour expenses.

Performing will be The Bemidji Choir, The Bemidji Choir Men’s Chorus and the Chamber Singers presenting a selection of sacred pieces, songs on human emotion and nature and a set of spirituals.

The Music
The Bemidji Choir will open the concert with a selection of sacred pieces including “Gloria in Excelsis Deo” by David Cherwien and “O Admirabile Commercium” by Jakob Handl followed by a set based on human emotions, including “I Am Not Yours” and “Winter” by Z. Randall Stroope.

Musikanten, the Men’s Chorus, will perform three versions of Kyrie, one by an anonymous composer, the second by Guillaume de Machaut and the third by Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina. Chris Ramage, a music major and choir bass section leader, will direct the Kyries, while Luke Holt, also a music major and Bemidji Choir president, will direct “Come Sing To Me of Heaven” by Aaron McDermid.

The Chamber Singers, an auditioned ensemble from within The Bemidji Choir, will perform “Three Rossetti Lyrics” by Daniel Gawthrop and “Here, There, and Everywhere,” arranged by Gene Puerling.

The Bemidji Choir will conclude the concert with a selection of contemporary pieces including Aaron Copland’s “Lark” and Steve Heitzeg’s “Elegy on Water,” followed by a set of spirituals.

Concert Tour Schedule

  • March 24, 7:30 p.m. – Roseau Community Church, Roseau
  • March 25, 7:30 p.m. – St. Michael’s Lutheran Church, Roseville
  • March 26, 10:55 a.m. – Coon Rapids High School
  • March 26, 7 p.m. – Bethlehem Evangelical Lutheran Church, Brainerd
  • March 30, 3 p.m. – Evangelical Covenant Church, Bemidji

The Bemidji Choir
Founded in 1937 by Carl O. Thompson, the Bemidji Choir has gained an international reputation for excellence. In addition to concerts, tours and recordings, the choir has produced a series of Madrigal Dinners for 39 years. Under the direction of Logan since 1998, the choir presented the Keynote Concert at the Minnesota Music Educators Association’s Convention in 2001 and 2006. The 2001-02 choir performed at the Minnesota American Choral Directors Association state convention, the ACDA North Central Division convention in Des Moines and in Carnegie Hall. The 2005-06 choir presented the keynote concert at the 2006 North Dakota Music Educators Convention. The 2007-08 choir will tour the Baltic States of Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia in May 2008.

Dr. Brad Logan, director
Logan, chair of the BSU 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.

For more information, contact the Department of Music at (218) 755-2915.

FOR YOUR CALENDAR
March 30 – 3 p.m. – The Bemidji Choir home concert presented by Bemidji State University. Location: Evangelical Covenant Church. Admission: free of charge.