Musical Directors

Music Director - Peter Benson has been the Music Director of the GNU since 2002.. Under Peter's direction, the chorus has continued to improve in quality and performance. The Great Northern Union's reputation of a clean, full wall of sound is a result of his direction.

In 2009, the chorus placed third at the Barbershop Harmony Society's International Contest in Anaheim, CA. The third place finish is the highest for the chorus since a similar third place finish in Louisville in 1991. Peter has also led the chorus to numerous Land O'Lakes District Championships.

Peter received his master's degree in choral conducting from Mankato State University. He served as Director of Choral Activities at North Dakota State College of Science in Wahpeton, ND, Lakeville South High School, and is currently an adjunct professor at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls and Minnesota State University Mankato.

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 and four time International Competitors). He currently sings with his family in a quartet called The Benson Family. http://www.bensonfamilymusic.com

Peter travels the country coaching quartets and choruses. He has been a clinician for several festivals and workshops throughout the Barbershop Harmony Society as well as many secondary and post-secondary schools throughout the Midwest.

Peter and his wife Rachelle have 4 sons David, Aaron, Luke and Paul. They live in Faribault, MN.

Associate Music Director - Scott Kvigne is the GNU’s he is the associate director, choreographer and visual coach. He has competed at nine International chorus competitions and has earned four top-five medals. Scott's visual plan for the recent BHS international contest earned GNU a 99 percent presentation score!

Scott has been a member of the Barbershop Harmony Society (BHS) for 22 years.  Scott is also the musical director of the City of Lakes chorus of Sweet Adelines since 2009.

He has been a visual/choreography/performance coach since 1990, was the musical director of the Coulee Chordsmen in La Crosse, WI from 1993-1998, and also the musical director of a Sweet Adelines chorus in La Crosse, WI from 1996-1998.