Former Brainerd High School (BHS) choir director Michael Smith recently received the F. Melius Christiansen Lifetime Achievement Award.
Smith, who was the choir director at BHS for 25 years who retired in 2006, is now the guest conductor of The Concordia Choir filling in for Dr. René Clausen during his sabbatical year.
The award is granted by the American Choral Directors Association of Minnesota and is presented to conductors who embody the accomplishments of F. Melius Christiansen, founder and director of the St. Olaf Choir, Northfield.
The award recognizes Smith's contributions and service to choral music through his lifelong conducting experiences.
Smith previously served as the conductor of the Concordia Chapel Choir, Männerchor and Cantabile from 2006 until his retirement in 2012. Before his arrival on Concordia's campus, he conducted choirs at BHS, Brainerd Community College, Willmar High School and Aitkin High School.
