In Memoriam: 2024 Vocal Competition GiftPublished on 3/16/2024
The 2024 vocal competition is funded by a generous donation from Don and Beth Johnson of Bismarck, ND. The Bismarck couple made their gift to Bismarck-Mandan Civic Chorus in memory of Don's parents, Anne and Ken Johnson, also of Bismarck.
Ken and Anne Johnson were both well-known and active members of the community; Anne was a member and president of the state chapter of PEO, she was an active member of St. George's Episcopal Church in Bismarck where she also sang in the choir, and she was an accomplished pianist; while Ken was a member of the Northern Lights Chorus and the associate rector at St. George's for many years. Both were passionate supporters of the arts.
Of the many roles that Anne filled, none was dearer to her than the role of grandmother. Her passion for the arts, especially music, combined with her love for her grandchildren, led her to be the main driver of her grandchildren's music educations; she paid for private lessons and spent countless hours in the car waiting to ferry them to and from their after-school rehearsals. She was a constant source of encouragement as she supervised and coached their practicing day after day, offering compliments and criticisms. Her selfless generosity, gentle manner, and kind heart were blessings in the lives of all who met her and made lasting impressions on the young hearts of the grandchildren that she so loved. Neither Ken or Anne ever missed a performance.
Ken passed away in 2014 in Bismarck, and Anne in 2016. Their generous souls are lovingly remembered by their many family and friends who honor their memory by continuing to support the arts in the community that they both loved.
