Bærumkoret

Bærumkoret is a mixed choir from Bærum, Norway, just outside of the capital city of Oslo. In May and June of 2011, after years of anticipation, the choir will be touring and performing in the Norwegian-American midwest. Bærumkoret aims to follow in the footsteps of the Norwegian immigrants and get to know Norwegian-American culture first hand. With concerts presenting a broad cross-section of new and traditional Norwegian and Scandinavian choral music, Bærumkoret will give American audiences an entertaining and warm glimpse into Scandinavian choral heritage and contemporary profiles.

Bærumkoret’s US-tour starts in Chicago, the home town of its conductor, Scott Campbell. Here, Bærumkoret will perfom at a gospel church on the south side of Chicago and at the Norwegian Memorial Church. The choir then heads for the “Norwegian” states of Wisconsin, Iowa and Minnesota.  Bærumkoret will perform in Coon Valley, WI and  in Decorah, IA, and anticipates dedicated audiences in both of these Norwegian-American communities. Bærumkoret’s tour ends in Minneapolis, where the choir will give a concert at The Norwegian Memorial Church.

Bærumkoret was founded in 1951. The choir’s repertoire spans a broad range of traditional and modern choral music. Norwegian and Scandinavian pieces are well represented, as are American musicals, contemporary ballads, along with a selection of pop, rock and lighter classical works.  The singers in Bærumkoret are between 20 and 65 years old, and at the present the choir has 50 active members.

Bærumkoret continuously seeks new musical challenges and often performs with other choirs, artists and musicians. The choir’s annual Christmas concert in Høvik Church in Bærum is an important tradition for the local community, while Bærumkoret’s other concerts throughout the year provide diverse cultural offerings drawn from its large and varied repertoire. Bærumkoret has participated in numerous choir festivals and held concerts both in Norway and abroad. The choir has previously toured Estonia and Italy, performing both alone and with local choirs.