Founding Father Phelpsie making music
Bev Roers Korkowski sends along this article from the Anoka Union newspaper. Bruce Phelps is a 1966 graduate of Jefferson High.
Bruce Phelps will guest conduct Two Rivers Chorale
Two Rivers Chorale continues to celebrate its 10th anniversary with a free concert next weekend at Bethel University. This time the concert features guest conductor Bruce Phelps, founding director of the group.
The concert is a mix of music styles, including folk, gospel, art songs, both secular and sacred. It’s a glimpse into the group’s favorites in the last decade.“There’s something for everyone,” said Two Rivers Chorale Director Tim Sawyer. In a segment titled “To Honor,” Phelps will direct Stephen Paulus’ “Hymn for America;” “Shenandoah, arranged by Norman Luboff; “What a Wonderful World,” arranged by René Claussen; and Moses Hogan’s “I’m Gonna Sing ‘Til the Spirit Moves in My Heart.”
“It’s just a kick. I love those people a lot,” said Phelps about once again conducting the group he started.
He left four years ago to take a position in North Dakota. He is back in the area and now lives in Shoreview.
Phelps said the group started with about 55 singers and now has more than 80. Starting the choir was a “life-long dream. Just making music has been a passion all my life and making it with friends and folks who love to sing, makes it more special,” he said.
The concert honors Phelps for being its founder, Sawyer said. Last fall, 1,100 attended the group’s concert.
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The trailboss had a special musical relationship with Mr. Phelps. We stood side-by-side in the bass row of Murrae Freng's '64-65 High School Choir. I was an occasional solist with an unreliable ear. A wise Mr. Freng didn't want me to embarass the whole choir by taking off on the wrong note, so he tasked Mr. Phelps with discreetly humming my starting pitch directly into my left ear. 
This was easily accomplished, as we were the same height and he really leaned into it. (As in, "Here's your note, idiot. Now sing.") Old Reliable Bruce was truly a comfort in those moments of insecurity, but I doubt he was ever thanked for it.
