The Gold Thieves

Gullstrupene is a program for people with dementia who live at home. Here, participants can be themselves and share the joy of singing and a sense of accomplishment with others in the same situation. Family members are encouraged to join so they can meet others in similar circumstances and share the experience and joy together.

There is a strong sense of community among the volunteers and family members, who, through conversation and close cooperation during both concerts and rehearsals, help ensure that the experience is safe and enjoyable.

The Dementia Choir is a program for people with dementia who still live at home. We want participants to enjoy a rewarding hour with others in the same situation, and for the choir to help enhance their joy of life and singing. The concept was launched after NRK aired “The Dementia Choir” on TV, which touched everyone’s hearts. We saw that there was a need for this in Kristiansand, as we do not have any choir programs specifically for this group. We also know that there is a lot of loneliness among the elderly, and thus wanted to create a space where people can meet and talk with others in the same situation.

Solveig Waage is the choir’s conductor. She gets the choir members to do all sorts of unusual things and has the choir sing in many different genres. It often turns out really well in the end!
Solveig usually works as an activities coordinator for Aktiv senior in the municipality of Kristiansand, and she spends a lot of her free time doing music.

Torstein Andersen is the choir’s rehearsal pianist, and he keeps our spirits up by playing fantastic rhythms on the piano. With an ear for music that’s truly incredible to witness, he’s happy to improvise any song we’d like to hear, so just call out the songs you want to sing.

Maria Elise Thorkildsen is the producer for Gullstrupene. She pulls all the strings that need to be pulled and is responsible for ensuring that all communications and plans are followed up on and carried out. She usually works as a producer for KulturRullatoren in the municipality of Kristiansand, and loves to sing along at every single rehearsal.

The Gullstrupen group practices on Mondays from 10:30 to 11:15 a.m., followed by coffee and a snack.