The Bemidji Alumni Choir (BAC) is one of Minnesota’s premier choral organizations located in the Twin Cities, MN. The Bemidji Alumni Choir (BAC) singers are virtually all former members of Dr. Paul Brandvik’s and Dr. P. Most of the singers sang with the choir on regional and national concert tours, including two performances in Carnegie Hall, as well as one or more of the choir’s 12 European or Is
rael tours. The choir practices the a ca****la choral tradition which emphasizes accurate intonation, unity of tone within each section, and phrasing that captures the deeper meaning of the text. The Artistic Director and Conductor Emeritus of the Bemidji Alumni Choir, Dr. Paul Brandvik, was director of Choral Activities at Bemidji State University (BSU) from 1967 to 1998. Among the honors awarded to Brandvik are the Burlington Northern Foundation Distinguished Teaching Award and the F. Melius Christianson Award for lifetime achievement in choral music. In addition to his conducting activities, Brandvik has composed, edited, or arranged over sixty published works for choirs. The Musical Director and Conductor of the choir is Mark Carlson. Mark received his Bachelors degree in music education and studied choral conducting with Dr. Paul Brandvik. He sang in both the Bemidji Concert Choir and Chamber Singers. His teaching career began at Crosby-Ironton, Minnesota, directing Crosby’s junior and senior high choirs. Mark was at Crosby-Ironton for six years. He also directed the St. Francis Catholic Church Choir in Brainerd for three years.
