Kilden satser på seniorsang
Anne Haugland Balsnes
Professor of Music, University of Agder/Ansgar University College.
Article from korbloggen.no/satser-pa-seniorsang/
”Sølvstrupene er den beste gaven livet har gitt meg etter at jeg ble pensjonist!”
We are living longer and enjoying better health. Many older adults want to fill their days with meaningful activities. One example can be found at Kilden theater and concert hall Kilden Kristiansand. Every Tuesday morning, 150 seniors gather to sing in the Sølvstrupene choir. They perform alongside the local symphony orchestra at the May 17th and Christmas concerts, in addition to holding their own concerts and going on tours.
Kilden a gathering place
It is not common, either nationally or internationally, for elite institutions where professional performers offer high-quality artistic experiences to a paying audience to also run senior choirs. In Kristiansand, this is entirely natural. Under the Kilden umbrella, in addition to the orchestra, theater, and opera, we also Kilden the Kilden (KD) initiative, which fulfills the institution’s social mission. KD’s projects are called dialogue projects, and their purpose is to enrich both people and society. The idea is that participation in artistic activities builds relationships and fosters cultural and relational skills that in turn contribute to understanding, responsibility, and participation in society. As a result of this approach, people of all ages and from diverse life situations come to Kilden week to participate in theater, music, and dance alongside professional instructors, performers, and technical staff. KD also collaborates with schools, institutions, and organizations. Here you will find, among other things, a theater group for former substance abusers, art projects for children and youth with immigrant backgrounds, concert performances for youth with and without special needs—and, of course, a senior choir.
The choir was founded in 2012. Two instructors with advanced degrees in music were hired. About fifty people showed up for the first rehearsal. Since then, membership has grown steadily. The choir now has 150 members, which has made a waiting list necessary. The minimum age limit is set at 62. Several choirs in the area operate with this as an upper age limit, and Sølvstrupene thus attracts many who have left other choirs. There is no upper age limit, but the average age is around 70. Social aspects are important. The doors open half an hour before rehearsal for coffee service. Many stay for lunch and attend Kilden’s senior program series, which is held on the same day, or take the opportunity to buy tickets for other events. There is always a line in front of the ticket window on Tuesdays.
The choir performs classical works with an orchestra, as well as a “lighter” repertoire. They go on an annual tour, often abroad, where they give concerts with local choirs. Rehearsals are “traditional,” using sheet music. A lot of time is set aside for warm-ups and vocal exercises. The instructors are committed to finding a repertoire that offers challenges while also being suitable for people without choir experience. All choir parts are recorded as audio files and distributed so that members can practice at home. The instructors work hard to make the choir sound as good as possible. They note that the choir has made noticeable progress since 2012 and say they hold the singers to the same high standards as they would in a choir with younger members.
– The choir has given me an extra leg to stand on
What does the choir mean to its members? While this generation is often considered “too old” in many contexts, one must be “old enough” to join the Sølvstrupene. Many emphasize that it is important to have a regular place to go, especially after retiring. One singer says: “In the choir, I have a role to fulfill; it feels good to matter again.” The choir members feel they belong at Kilden value being a piece of a larger puzzle, especially when they participate in major productions. The choir enriches everyday life by having members inform one another about other activities they can join. Several highlight the choir’s importance for health and quality of life. “Choir singing is the best medicine I’ve ever had. It’s a happy pill and a painkiller. You forget that you’re in pain,” says a singer who has suffered from serious health issues. Another says: “Sølvstrupene has enriched my life; it’s become much brighter since I started. The choir has given me an extra leg to stand on that I didn’t have before.” Singing in a choir develops the voice and provides knowledge of music. “It’s wonderful to realize that you can learn new things even at our age,” says one. Choir activities offer challenges and a sense of accomplishment, especially when you’ve worked for a long time on a difficult piece.
The Cultural Center Takes on an Active Role
As the population ages, there is a growing need for more activities tailored to seniors. There is a need for low-threshold programs where musical quality is less of a priority, such as singing in senior care facilities. However, many seniors are resourceful, in good health, and eager for challenges. Therefore, new types of choirs and new ways of organizing them are needed. Through KD, Kilden in opening the city’s theater and concert hall to all members of the community—not just as an audience, but as participants. The venue’s technical and human resources are utilized to develop new forms of activities where professionals and amateurs can come together for mutual enrichment. Thus, a new standard has been set for the role that arts institutions can play in our modern society. Sølvstrupene is run like any other choir; there is nothing unusual about the choir itself. What is unusual, however, is that an arts institution runs an amateur choir for seniors and in doing so takes on an expanded social mission, to the delight of the city’s residents.