St. Peter Choirs: A Theme of Excellence

Bri Bergstrom

In St. Peter I am the 7-12th grade choral director. We have 3 curricular choirs and 3 extra curricular choirs at the high school and both a 7th and 8th grade choir at the middle school. We do not audition our choirs, all are welcome. Our Concert Choir is made up of 110 Juniors and Seniors, our 10th grade Varsity Choir and 9th grade Saints Choir both have around 80 students. Our extra curricular groups include a 9-12 treble choir, 9-12 tenor/bass choir and a Chamber Singers. We have 165 students in 7/8th grade choirs as well.

Treble Choir, 2023

I have been fortunate to teach choir for 12 years now and throughout my career, my teaching philosophy and priorities have grown and changed, especially since 2020. Our choirs create beautiful music together but our priority is on community. Our main goal is to create a safe, inclusive space where students want to be. In our classroom student voice and choice matter and we focus a lot of our time on community building activities and discussions. For every concert cycle we choose a theme that represents the time of year or what students are feeling. With that theme, the director chooses half the repertoire and students work to choose the second half of the repertoire. We do intense journal activities and discussions about how our music and theme work together to make sure our performances and the music we are singing on a daily basis are meaningful to our students. For example, we had a December concert theme, “Finding Home.” Students have beautifully chosen pieces that reflect finding home in a person, finding home in a place and most importantly, finding home in yourself. Our next concert in March is “weathering the storm,” and I can’t wait to see what our singers come up with!!

One singer, junior Rebekah Roemhildt explained why choir is important to her. ”As a kid who always had a penchant for music, choir was and still is a savior for me. From Mrs. Bergstrom’s leadership, to the family that’s been created, and to the wide diversity of cultures we study. I’ve made some of my best friends through the choir program, and the memories that I’ve created will remain for a long time, no doubt. I’ve found solace in the safe space that Berg has created for all students in her class, and am immensely proud to be part of this program!”

Veterans Day 2023

Not only students, but parents and families see the growth in their students through choir. The Dixon family shares, “As a parent, it’s a rare joy to witness your child find a place where they not only belong  but also grow into themselves. For each of our three boys the SPHS choir program has been that place. Under Bri Bergstrom’s leadership, the program has become more than a musical endeavor—it’s a community where students are empowered to express themselves, collaborate meaningfully, and grow as individuals.

What sets this program apart is the way Mrs. Bergstrom nurtures student voices—both literally and figuratively. She not only develops their musical talents but also fosters an environment where their ideas, preferences, and contributions are genuinely valued. Watching our children navigate this space, where they are encouraged to take risks and trust their instincts, has been deeply inspiring.

For us, the most special part of this program is its heart. Whether it’s the small moments of gathering for morning coffee before school begins, the way she celebrates each student’s uniqueness, or the excitement of adding “sick” music to the repertoire, Mrs. Bergstrom has created a space where students feel included and supported.

We are deeply grateful for the impact this program has had on our kids—and on us as parents. It’s a privilege to witness their growth, and we credit Bri Bergstrom for crafting such a transformative program.”

Veterans Day 2024

I truly believe our program is special because of the community and bond we have created. Yes, we create beautiful music and they are challenged, but taking a step back as the director and letting the students choose what they need in terms of community and music has been life changing and I believe that’s why our program is continuing to grow. With everything happening in the world around us I just want as many kids in my room as possible singing together.

About Bri Bergstrom

Bri Bergstrom is in her 12th year of teaching. She proudly attended the University of St. Thomas for both her bachelor’s degree in vocal musical education in 2013 and her Master of Arts in the field of music education in 2022. Bergstrom’s teaching career has included both classroom and choral music education in Belle Plaine and St. Peter public school districts. She has also served as Adult and Youth worship director at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Belle Plaine and currently leads the contemporary worship team at Christ the King Lutheran Church in Mankato, MN. Along with the choral department, Bergstrom has directed 20 shows. In Belle Plaine, Mrs. Bergstrom directed the high school musicals, middle school musicals and created a student directed one act festival. In St. Peter Bergstrom serves as the vocal music director for the fall musicals and will be directing the competitive One Act Play.  Mrs. Bergstrom is an active member in MMEA, NAfME and ACDA, serving as co-chair for the MN ACDA 9/10 SATB Honor Choir. Bri, her husband Isaac, and their two children live in St. Peter.