The Bemidji Chorale is a mixed chorus that welcomes singers of all voice types. The choir rehearses from 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. on Monday evenings from September to April, with public concerts in Fall and Spring. Contact James Bowyer for more information via email: james.bowyer@bemidjistate.edu or call: 206-551-6147.
Join Friends of the Bemidji Chorale
Bring choral music to Minnesota’s north country by joining Friends of Bemidji Chorale. Your gift will sustain Bemidji Chorale’s 40 years of musical excellence by covering the costs of rehearsal spaces, concert venues, equipment maintenance, musical scores, printing, and guest instrumentalists. Bemidji Chorale is a 501(c)3 tax-exempt public charity, and your contribution is tax deductible.
Bemidji Chorale Upcoming Events
Sunday, April 28, 2024
3:00 p.m.
More information to come

DR. JAMES BOWYER is an Associate Professor of Music at Bemidji State University where he teaches courses in music education, choral studies, and ear training. His textbook, Creative Sightsinging (Santa Barbara Music Publishing), has been adopted by high schools and colleges across the United States and Canada. An active choral composer and arranger, Dr. Bowyer’s works are published through Santa Barbara Music Publishing, Lorenz, and Colla Voce. He recently made his Carnegie Hall debut as conductor of the Indiana University South Bend choirs on their New York City choir tour.
A Kodály and Orff specialist, Dr. Bowyer’s research agenda focuses on music literacy, movement, and music education pedagogy. He has written articles for Choral Journal, Orff Echo, and Music Educators Journal in addition to contributing to Teaching Music Through Performance in Choir II and III (GIA Publications) and The Strength of Story in Early Childhood: Diverse Contexts for Development Across Domains (Springer International).
He presently serves on the editorial advisory board of the Music Educators Journal. Prior to his position at Bemidji State University, he taught on the faculties of McPherson College, Loyola University Maryland, Indiana University South Bend, Brooklyn College, the University of Wyoming, the University of Puget Sound, and Gonzaga University.
He earned the Doctor of Musical Arts in Choral Conducting from the University of Washington and the Master of Music in Choral Conducting, Voice Performance & Pedagogy, and Music Education from Westminster Choir College. Dr. Bowyer has taught music for nine years in public, private, and charter school settings in Indiana, Missouri, Massachusetts, and Washington. He frequently adjudicates at regional contests and competitions and serves as guest conductor at clinics and choral festivals.
As a lyric tenor, he has presented numerous recitals and has appeared as a soloist with a range of orchestras, most recently Bach’s B Minor Mass, Mozart’s Requiem, and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9.
Officers
President: Steve Reznicek
Secretary: Janet Hunt
Treasurer: Suzanne Dicks
Librarian: Gail Sterr
Historian: Becky Lueben
Publicist: Kathy Shea
FORMER CONDUCTORS – Lyle Jewell, Founding Conductor, Paul Brandvik, Chris Fettig, Sarah Aamot-Lundin, Rhonda Fisher, Patricia Mason.