For the past two years, during his junior and senior years at Furman University, Bergsvein Toverud served as the Herring Church Music Intern here at FBG. He also served as a Herring Choral Scholar here during his freshman and sophomore years in college. At Furman, he was the recipient of the DuPre Rhame Scholarship and the Hartness Scholarship.
At the Classical Singer Competition in the Advanced Classical Division in Chicago, Illinois, Bergsvein won first prize! In order to move to this national level of the competition, he prevailed through state competition, then through several rounds of national competition before being chosen as one of four nationally to make it to the finals where he was named the winner.
While at Furman, Bergsvein sang Ralph Rackstraw in “H.M.S. Pinafore” and the Witch in “Hansel and Gretel” with Furman Lyric Theatre, directed by Grant Knox, his voice teacher. He was also a featured soloist in numerous concerts with the Furman Symphony Orchestra and was a member of both the Furman Singers and Furman Chamber Choir.
In addition to his extraordinary vocal talent, Bergsvein was a tremendous asset in our Music Ministry during his time as intern. He is beloved in the Sanctuary Choir and Vocare as an assistant conductor, singer and soloist. He will continue his studies in vocal performance this fall at the Eastman School of Music, where he has received a substantial merit award and graduate teaching fellowship. We wish him all the best.
—Vivian