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Great Northern Union

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Great Northern Union Chorus
Choir
Casual photo of members of the Great Northern Union Chorus, 2024
OriginHilltop, Minnesota, United States
Founded1986; 40 years ago (1986)
GenreBarbershop music
MembersAll-gender membership since 2020
Websitewww.greatnorthernunion.org

The Great Northern Union Chorus (GNU) is an all-gender chorus based in the Minneapolis–Saint Paul area of Minnesota. Founded in 1986 as a men's chorus, the group continues to perform mainly four-part harmony in the barbershop style. Since 2020, GNU has welcomed members of all genders. Officially, they are the Hilltop, Minnesota chapter in the Land o' Lakes District[1] of the Barbershop Harmony Society (BHS) and remain active in competitions.

The chorus has placed in the top five at BHS International Chorus competitions 11 times,[2] including consecutive second-place silver medals in 2011[3] and 2012.[4]

Following the Barbershop Harmony Society's 2018 decision to admit everyone regardless of gender as full members,[5] GNU became an all-voice chorus in 2020[6] and continues to participate in the society’s annual competitions.[1]

References

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  1. 1 2 "Regions and Chapters, West Region Chapters, Land o' Lakes". Retrieved 13 September 2025.
  2. "Chorus Champions 1954-2014" (PDF). Retrieved 13 September 2025.
  3. "BHS International Chorus Contest Summary, 2011". Retrieved 13 September 2025.
  4. "BHS International Chorus Contest Results" (PDF). Retrieved 13 September 2025.
  5. "BHS Opens Membership to everyone regardless of gender". Retrieved 13 September 2025.
  6. "Our History". Retrieved 13 September 2025.
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