Blandin Male Chorus
Inducted in 1994
After a modest beginning in 1953, the Blandin Male Chorus was officially organized in 1955 in Grand Rapids, Minnesota. With the vision, drive, and direction of its first director Betty Kauppi, practice began with 13 original members. In 1956, officers were elected and a name was chosen. They named the group the Grand Rapids Male Chorus, but unofficially called themselves “Betty’s Boys”. By 1957 there were thirty members. At about that time, the chorus changed its name to the Arion Male Chorus, named after a mythological Greek poet and musician. In 1959, the group joined the Associated Male Choruses of America and performed a solo at the organization’s Big Sing at Port William, Ontario in 1960. In 1962, there was another significant addition when Allan Fritz joined the chorus as their accompanist. Blandin Paper Company offered their support to the chorus in 1966. Because of this generous backing, the group was able to share their music with a wider audience. In 2009 support from Blandin was discontinued, and the chorus changed their name to the Grand Rapids Area Male Chorus (GRAMC). Presently the chorus consists of 40 members from Grand Rapids and the surrounding area. The men practice weekly and perform approximately 20 concerts annually. A home concert is performed every spring to culminate the year’s work.
