2 weeks Ago By Kathy Steiner
JAMESTOWN — In 1955, four men decided there was a need for a male choral group in Jamestown. They recruited about 40 local men for the Jamestown Choralaires. Now, 70 years later, the Jamestown Choralaires are still singing and preparing for the group’s 70th Anniversary Concert next week.
ADVERTISEMENT Ron Hildahl, president of the group, said the group is looking forward to the event, which will be held at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, April 25-26, at St.
James Basilica in Jamestown. “It is a joy to share the concert with other male voices from the University of Jamestown's Cantus and the men from the Jamestown High School Choir,” he said. The anniversary concert will feature songs that were performed at the first concert held in 1955, Hildahl said.
According to the Choralaires’ written history, when the group formed in 1955, most of the men loved to sing but few had any technical knowledge of music. The members took up a collection among themselves to raise the money to purchase their first set of music. Since then, the Choralaires have presented a variety of concerts.
They have performed on television, radio, at conventions and county fairs, bringing musical entertainment to thousands around the state. In 1983, the Choralaires joined the Associated Male Choruses of America and hosted Big Sings in 1990, 1997, 2004, 2016 and 2023. The Big Sing is an annual collaborative concert with all of the men's choirs in the Associated Male Choruses of America district that includes the Jamestown Choralaires, Hildahl said.
That includes men’s choirs in Minnesota, Wisconsin and North Dakota, which is represented by the Choralaires. The next scheduled Big Sing is in 2026 in Appleton, Wisconsin. In 1995, the Jamestown Choralaires were honored as the North Dakota Governor's Chorus and on Jan.
29, 1996, they performed at the Theodore Roosevelt Roughrider Award ceremony for Admiral William A. Owens. ADVERTISEMENT The Choralaires debuted dinner concerts in 1992.
In 2005 as a part of the 50th anniversary year, the Choralaires recorded a CD, "50 Years of Song." The Jamestown Choralaires’ membership ranges from farmers to auto mechanics, lawyers, salesmen, teachers, doctors, ministers and college students, Hildahl said. He said they do it for the enjoyment of singing, as suggested in their theme song, "Brothers, Sing On.
" The Jamestown Choralaires have not only performed concerts but can be heard at other events as well. They have sung the national anthem at University of Jamestown basketball games and at the 2024 Patriot Day remembrance ceremony, Hildahl said. “One of the highlights for the chorus is our annual church sing where one Sunday is designated to singing songs at local churches,” he said.
“And depending upon the year and schedules, that includes singing at care facilities and the James River Correctional Center. At our 2024 summer picnic, we sang in a grain bin near Medina which was a first for most members!” Hildahl became a member of the group in recent years after moving to Jamestown in 2019 to be the chaplain at the Anne Carlsen Center. “Before entering seminary, I was a music teacher and I've conducted and sung in church choirs,” he said.
“But since my time in college, I hadn't sung in a community choir. Upon moving to Jamestown, I heard about the Jamestown Choralaires and the timing was right in my life to begin my journey with the choir.” A nonprofit organization, the Choralaires, which once collected money from its own members to purchase their first set of music, now owns its own library of over 450 selections, a Steinway grand piano, a spotlight, risers, sound shell, trailer and the tuxedos that are worn by the members, Hildahl said.
The Choralaires have also provided music scholarships to students of the University of Jamestown and Jamestown High School and served as supporters and mentors of the Jamestown Elementary Boys' Choir, he said. ADVERTISEMENT “During this season, we had two high school students sing with us for our Christmas concert,” Hildahl added. He noted that Jamestown Choralaires member Larry Hoffman has been with the Choralaires for 66 years and Roger Caine for 52 years.
“That is a living testament to the gift and impact of music and one's commitment to participate,” Hildahl said. The Jamestown Choralaires have been directed by Pam Burkhardt since 1997. “The Choralaires have been blessed with her expertise, energy and passion for leading us in making music,” he said.
“We appreciate her dedication to the choir and her support of local arts in Jamestown.” Rick Walentine has been the group’s accompanist for eight years, Hildahl added. “We appreciate his experience on the keyboard, as well as his wit, as he helps at our rehearsals and does a stellar job at our performances,” he said.
ADVERTISEMENT The Jamestown Choralaires hold 90-minute rehearsals on Wednesday evenings from September through April. “We pride ourselves in memorizing our music for our performances,” Hildahl said. He said being able to memorize the music enhances their performances and allows them to focus on the director to lead and guide their performance.
—-—————————————————————— If you go What: Jamestown Choralaires 70th Anniversary Concert When: 7:30 p.m. April 25 and April 26 Where: St.
James Basilica, 622 1st Ave. S. ADVERTISEMENT Tickets: $12 adults, $5 students, available from Choralaires members, at Looysen I Care or at the door.
Tickets may be used for either event.
