Great Northern Union

The Great Northern Union is the performing chorus of the Hilltop, MN chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society. Formed in 1985, the chorus has won the BHS Land 'O Lakes District championship 17 times and qualified for BHS international competition an unprecedented 19 years in a row, earning 7 medals. In addition to providing top-notch entertainment to audiences all over the Upper Midwest, our mission includes charitable and educational components. Besides supporting the charitable activities of the Barbershop Harmony Society, the chapter has adopted Make-A-Wish of Minnesota as our local charity. The chapter also donates their services to schools in the Minneapolis/Saint Paul metropolitan area to help raise money for music education programs.

Peter Benson is in his fourth year as Music Director of the Great Northern Union. He received a master’s degree in choral conducting from Mankato State University in 1997. He served as Director of Choral Activities at North Dakota State College of Science in Wahpeton, ND from 1997 to 2005 and is currently the Choral Director at Lakeville South High School. A barbershopper since 1984, Peter has been active as a quartet member, singing bass with State of the Art (1995 LOL District Champs and International Competitors) and with BreakPoint (1998 LOL District Champs, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003 International Competitors). Previous conducting experience includes directing the Harmony Junction Barbershop Chorus from Albert Lea, MN (1987-1997). He led them to several divisional championships as well as a 2nd place finish in the LOL District. He also directed Acappella Xpress, a Sweet Adeline Chorus from Fargo, ND to a Regional championship in 2000 and International competition in 2001. Peter is also an active quartet and chorus coach and has been a clinician for several festivals and workshops throughout the Barbershop Harmony Society. He currently resides in Faribault, MN with his wife Rachelle and sons David, Aaron and Luke.

Discography

It's a Grand Night for Singing

It's a Grand Night for Singing Pure Imagination Happy Together My Funny Valentine (I've Got a Gal in) Kalamazoo Annie's Song That Lonesome Road Ob La Di Beautiful Savior Goodbye, World, Goodbye Young and Foolish When the Midnight Choo Choo Leaves for Alabam' e Loch Lomond Traditional Scottish What Shall We Do With the Drunken Sailor

Since their forming in 1985, Hilltop, MN's male performing chorus has qualified for the Barbershop Harmony Society Internationals 19 years in a row, earning 7 medals. The 14 cuts on "It's A Grand Night for Singing" show off the rich harmonies, innovative arrangements, and pure entertainment of the GNUC, one of the finest mens' choruses in the Midwest. Hard to pick favorites, but Oscar Hammerstein's title tune, Richard Rodgers' "My Funny Valentine," the upbeat Barbershop chestnut "I've Got a Gal in Kalamazoo," John Denver's "Annie's Song," James Taylor's "That Lonesome Road," Lennon/McCartney's "Ob La Di," the heart-tugging "Young and Foolish," Irving Berlin's "When the Midnight Choo Choo Leaves for Alabam'," the traditional Scottish "Loch Lomond" and the raucous English sea shanty "What Shall We Do With the Drunken Sailor" will suffice. A fourth powerful, winning collection from one of SPEBSQSA's best!

Listen to "Annie's Song" in Real Audio.

Bound For Glory

Great Day If Ye Love Me In This Very Room Run, Run, Run Swing Low / Swing Down Chariot Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence God Is My Rock Nearer My God To Thee / I Need Thee Every Hour When I Lift Up My Head This Train / When The Saints Go Marching In Ave Maria

Twin-Cities-based Great Northern Union, directed since 2002 by Peter Benson, is one of the midwest's most versatile choral groups. Surrounded by musical excellence, the group has a broad repertoire and a beautiful sound, and they add visual presentation to complete the package. "Bound for Glory" is "Gnu's" fourth recording, a special selection of sacred works. 11 songs, "Great Day," Thomas Tallis' "If Ye Love Me," "In This Very Room," "Swing Low/Swing Down Chariot," "God is My Rock," "Nearer My God to Thee/I Need Thee Every Hour," "When I Lift Up My Head," "This Train/When the Saints Go Marching In" and special bonus cut, Franz Biebl's "Ave Maria" are particularly nice. An inspirational, beautifully arranged and sung collection from the talented, dynamic Great Northern Union Chorus.

5683 CD $14.98

Evolution

Pal of My Cradle Days M-A-Double M-Y Alabamy Bound I Was Married Medley Forgive Me I'm Sorry I Made You Cry I'm Looking at the World Through Rose-Colored Glasses Broadway Star Medley The Masquerade Is Over Forgive Me Parody How Could You Believe Me When You Know I've Been A Lawyer All My Life? Politicians' Medley You Keep Coming Back Like A Song Paper Doll There Goes My Heart Changes Medley My Foolish Heart

For 15 years running, the pride of Hilltop, MN has taken the stage at the International Championships at the Barbershop Harmony Society, more appearances than any other chorus. "Evolution" is a live "best-of" CD of 17 songs that traces the group's progress through the years, beginning with brash enthusiasm and a clean, aggressive sound like 1989's "I Was Married Medley," 1991's "Rose Colored Glasses" and the wonderful ballad "Forgive Me" (1990). 1992-94 saw a new director and a bigger sound, highlighted by 1993's "Broadway Star Medley." Comedy was the focus from 1995-96, drawing standing ovations for "Forgive Me Parody," "How Could You Believe Me When You Know I've Been A Lawyer All My Life" (1995) and "Politicians Medley" (1996). 1997-2001 featured soulful ballads, "There Goes My Heart" (2000), driving uptunes, "Changes Medley" (2000), and swing numbers like "Paper Doll" (1999). Most of these favorite performances resulted in medals for the GNUC. A dynamic, powerful collection from one of America's best male chorus, recorded live in International competition!

5684 CD $14.98

Celebrate The Season

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year It's Beginning to Look Like Christmas / Pine Cones and Holly Berries Star of Bethlehem Coventry Carol Prepare Ye Lo, How A Rose E'er Blooming Gift of Alleluia Away in a Manger Advent Meditation Carol of the Bells Ave Maria Holiday Medley It Came Upon A Midnight Clear / Silent Night We Need A Little Christmas Jingle Bell Rock The Straw Carol Alleluia We Wish You A Merry Christmas Joy to the World

A pair of elite choruses, all-female City of Lakes Chorus, led for 35 years by honored director Mary Dick; and the Great Northern Union Chorus, directed by the widely respected Roger Williams bring us a fine live Christmas CD, recorded live at performances at Lutheran Churches in Golden Valley, MN and Apple Valley, MN. There are 19 Christmas standards here, with occasional light accompaniment by piano and flute. GNUC begins with "The Most Wonderful Time of the Year," and City of Lakes does a nice medley, "It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas/Pine Cones and Holly Berries" and "Star of Bethlehem." The groups alternate throughout, GNUC's "Coventry Carol," CLC's "Prepare Ye," "Lo How a Rose E'er Blooming," and they sometimes sing together, as on "Gift of Alleluia," "Away in a Manger" and the lovely "Advent Meditation." "Ave Maria," "Holiday Medley," "The Straw Carol" (featuring International Champion Quartet 4-Star Collection), "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" and "Joy to the World" are some favorites. "Celebrate" is a joyous,  beautifully-sung Christmas CD by two outstanding choruses!

To find a specific song on any recording (or to find recordings by group name or CD title),
pick the search method and type the item you are searching for here:

By Song Title

By Group Name

By Recording Title

By Music Category Any Category Contemporary Vocal Jazz Barbershop Doo-Wop Choral Collegiate Gospel World

    or use our for more search options