ELWYN B. ROBINSON DEPARTMENT OF SPECIAL COLLECTIONS
CHESTER FRITZ LIBRARY
UNIVERSITY OF NORTH DAKOTA
GRAND FORKS, NORTH DAKOTA 58202

BJARNE MALE CHORUS RECORDS

COLLECTION: OGL #605

DATES: 1904-1977

SIZE: 2.25 linear feet

INTRODUCTION

ACQUISITION: The Bjarne Male Chorus Records were deposited in the Orin G. Libby Manuscript Collection by Elaine McLaughlin, Grand Forks, North Dakota, on January 12, 1981 (Acc. #81-701).

ACCESS: Available for inspection under the rules and regulations of the Department of Special Collections.

HISTORICAL SKETCH

The Bjarne Male Chorus was established in Grand Forks on July 3, 1881. The choir was founded by H. Fremstad, a native of Norway who migrated to the United States in the late 1870s. Fremstad was a talented musician and was instrumental in organizing male singing societies in Norway. He continued this work after his arrival in America.

The purpose of the organization was "to become as proficient as possible in the rendition of good musical compositions for male voices, to create a deeper appreciation of good music in general and to obtain pleasure and social enjoyment from intercourse with one another." The first meetings were held at the home of L. K. Hassell and later at the Synod Church on Cottonwood Street.

The early members included O. A. Moe, J. D. Wurschmidt, H. A. Moe, L. K. Hassell, Bersvend Johnson, P. J. Bye, O. C. Langseth, Gulick Pederson, S. O. Leen, O. Brodtkrob, O. Hexom, O. L. Sahesen (?), and Anton Pederson.

SCOPE AND CONTENT NOTE

The Bjarne Male Chorus Records consist of programs, dating 1904, 1916, 1951, and 1961. Also included are newspaper clippings from 1948 and 1977, and two photographs. One photograph dates from 1915, while the other is undated.

BOX AND FOLDER INVENTORY

Box 1
Folder

1. Programs, June 12, 1951 and June 17, 1961
2. Newspaper clippings October 31, 1948 and November 26, 1977
3. Souvenir Programs of the Seventh Biennial and Thirteenth Biennial Singing Festival Given by the Northwestern Scandinavian Singers' Association (1904) and by the Norwegian Singers' Association of America (1916): Both under the Auspices of "Bjarne", Grand Forks, North Dakota

Box 2

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