Dear Current and Former Bemidji Alumni Choir Members and Friends,
I can’t believe it was 50 years ago that I set foot on campus at Bemidji State University and started singing at BSU. Through the joyous, the difficult, the sad, and the happy times, little did I understand at that time what a profound influence singing at BSU would have on so many aspects of my life. I am certain many of you experienced the same.
While we work to provide for our livelihoods and families, we sing to feed our souls and fulfill our creative needs. Many choir members were not vocal majors. We still all shared the same passion for singing. Many of us could have gotten our degrees elsewhere, but it was singing in the choral music program at BSU, whether you studied under Carl Thompson, Paul Brandvik, Brad Logan or Dwight Jilek, that brought and kept many of us there.
Today, the Bemidji Alumni Choir remains an avenue for many alums to keep the passion of singing alive. From our traditional spring concerts, our shorter fall season, singing the national anthem at the MN Twins, caroling for the Salvation Army at the Mall of America or even our recent performance at the MN ACDA conference a year ago, we sing for the joy we bring not only to ourselves but also to our friends, families and supporters.
In the past, the Alumni Choir has undertaken projects to support the Bemidji State University Choir, sang at Homecoming and at other Alumni events. This year the Alumni Choir’s Board of Directors has adopted a new position to help BSU in a bigger way. We are undertaking a multi-year effort to significantly increase the Paul Brandvik Choral Music Scholarship endowment to assist future students with scholarships. In the 82-year history of the choral music program at BSU, Paul Brandvik was the director for nearly 40 years. He developed a program with international acclaim and made it possible for students to follow that choral tradition under his successors, Brad Logan and Dwight Jilek.
I am asking you to join our campaign by making a financial contribution to the Paul Brandvik Choral Music Scholarship endowment. A small group of generous Alumni Choir members have created a donor match (currently over $2000, but working toward $2500) as an incentive for other donors to help build the endowment. What better way do we have to honor the influence of these four conductors by contributing to the fund under Paul’s name?
Beginning today and through February 23rd the fund will match your contribution dollar-for-dollar until the matching fund is maximized. I encourage you to help future students experience what we did at BSU. Can you give $50, $100, $250 or more to the fund between now and February 23rd? Please go to the link below to make your contribution now. Future singers are depending on you. Thank you for your generosity, your support and your willingness to make a difference.
https://www.givecampus.com/schools/BemidjiStateUniversity/bemidji-state-music
Be sure to join us on Facebook where you can see updates of upcoming concerts, choir news and listen to recent recordings. We would also love to have you join us in our Facebook group Bemidji Choir Alumni. Thanks again!
Regards,
Mark Carlson, Director
Bemidji Alumni Choir