A Choral Tradition Continues

The Bemidji Alumni Choir was founded in 1998, when Sarah Aamot, a Bemidji State University alumna, brought together a choir of Bemidji Choir alumni to perform a concert for her master’s recital. The music for that performance was composed and arranged by Dr. Paul Brandvik, whose extraordinary influence helped shape the musical lives of generations of singers. What began as a gathering of friends has since grown into the Bemidji Alumni Choir, which now presents two concerts annually and continues a proud tradition of choral excellence and community.

The choir’s legacy is deeply rooted in the work of its Artistic Director and Conductor Emeritus, the late Dr. Paul Brandvik, who served as Director of Choral Activities at Bemidji State University from 1967 to 1998. A beloved teacher, conductor, composer, editor, and arranger, Dr. Brandvik received numerous honors during his distinguished career, including the Burlington Northern Foundation Distinguished Teaching Award and the F. Melius Christianson Award for lifetime achievement in choral music. In addition to his conducting, he composed, edited, or arranged more than sixty published works for choir. His artistry, mentorship, and enduring spirit remain at the heart of the Bemidji Alumni Choir.

Many members of the choir shared formative musical experiences through regional and national concert tours, including two performances at Carnegie Hall, as well as one or more of the choirs’ many European and Israel tours. That shared history continues to unite the ensemble and shape its identity today.

The choir also honors the contributions of former Musical Director and Conductor Mark Carlson, who earned his bachelor’s degree in music education and studied choral conducting with Dr. Brandvik. Mark sang in both the Bemidji Concert Choir and Chamber Singers and began his teaching career in Crosby-Ironton, Minnesota, where he directed junior and senior high school choirs for six years. He also directed the St. Francis Catholic Church Choir in Brainerd for three years. A dedicated educator and choral musician, Mark sang with the Bemidji Alumni Choir for 13 of its first 19 seasons and played an important role in continuing the ensemble’s musical tradition.

Today, the Bemidji Alumni Choir is led by Louis Berg-Arnold, Artistic Director and Conductor. Louis studied choral conducting at Ave Maria University in Naples, Florida, and has been an active performer in the Minnesota arts community for more than 25 years. His experience spans work as a pianist, organist, violist, and vocalist with classical ensembles including the Berkeley Symphony Orchestra, Minnehaha Repertory Orchestra, St. John’s Boys’ Choir, St. Cloud Symphony Orchestra, and Opera Naples. He has also worked extensively in Minnesota theater as a pianist and musical director for organizations including Theater Latté Da, Lyric Arts, Actors Theater, and Crooners Supper Club. Having served as pianist for the Bemidji Alumni Choir since 2014, Louis now leads the ensemble with a deep connection to its history and a strong vision for its future.

Advisory Board

Louis Berg-Arnold, Director & Artistic Director
Patrick Slator, Treasurer
Katherine Tieben, Lydia Bolder, Mathew Verbout
Choir Managers
Andrew Leshovsky, Marketing
Ben Eng
Sam Howell
Duaine Morphew
Deb Schlager
Greg Sotebeer

SINGERS