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

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BJARNE MALE CHORUS RECORDS

COLLECTION: OGL #605

DATES: 1890-1977

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). Additional material was received from Jay Hillier of the Myra Museum, Grand Forks, North Dakota in 1985 (Acc. #85-1410) 1987 (Acc. #87-1513), as well as from the Honve House (Acc.#2006-2847).

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 the group's constitution, by-laws, minutes, concert programs, photographs, other historical materials.

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
  4. Constitution, By-laws, Minutes: possibly 1890-1892
  5. "Bjarne History:" undated
  6. Programs: 1961 and 1964
  7. Norwegian Singers' Association of America 11th Biennial Sangerfest: July 12-13-14 , Fargo N.D.

Box 2

Photograph
OGL #605-1

Picture of the chorus
First Row: Briedenbach - third from end, Hassle - third man
Second Row: Odegard - second from end
Back Row: Rasmus Lunseth - first man

Photograph
OGL #605-2

Picture of the chorus, 1915
Front Row: unidentified, unidentified, Oscar Lunoth, W.P. Rognlie, Emil Odegard, Fred Hanson, unidentified
Second Row: Ole Paulson, Simon Paulson, George Spanberg, Sisurd Bye, Harold Hanson, Larson, unidentified
Third Row: Al Hohnson, unidentified, unidentified, C.A. Heen, Tom Locken, Haaleen Johnson, Ernast Johnson
Back Row: Ole Christianson, Alfred Odegard, unidentified, Iven Jeglum, unidentified

Return to: Music

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