The Sølvstupene are ready for their anniversary concerts

Not everyone knows that Kilden the largest senior choir in the Nordic region. On May 23, the cheerful members of Sølvstrupene are ready for their anniversary concerts.

The Sølvstrupene Senior Choir has been around for as long as Kilden. What makes this choir unique is that there is a MINIMUM age requirement for membership. The choir therefore consists of 150 singers aged 62 and older. This makes it the largest senior choir in the Nordic region. On May 23, Sølvstrupene will celebrate 10 years of joyful singing.

Important

Marie Teresie Sørensen is the director of Kilden . She believes that Sølvstrupene, Kilden the entire region should be proud of the choir.

“I think it’s wonderful that Sølvstrupene has become such an important activity for so many people. This is one of Kilden’s greatest success stories. Now, many of us are looking forward to celebrating together with the wonderful choir members,” she says.

And there will be not just one, but two anniversary concerts on May 23. The first at 12:00 p.m. and the second at 6:00 p.m.

Musical community

In connection with the concerts, we spoke with some of the singers. They are happy to be part of the musical community that the choir represents.

“Being part of Sølvstrupene means a lot to me. It gives me so much, both socially and musically. I’ve been with the group since the very beginning, and in the early days, I hadn’t yet retired. So I’d clock out of work to attend rehearsals and then clock back in afterward,” recalls Per Herman Zakariassen.

Had to wait

Chorus member Inger Johanne Stormo Våreid was one of those who was too young to join the choir when she first expressed interest.

“I had to wait patiently until I turned 62,” she laughs, “but I think it was worth the wait.”

“Sølvstrupene brings me so much joy. We have a fantastic conductor, a varied repertoire, and it’s great that there are so many of us in the choir. I’m involved in a few things in my free time, but singing is the most important thing,” says Inger Johanne.

– Addictive

Anne Haugland Balsnes has been the conductor of Sølvstrupene since its inception. She is a professor of music and has conducted extensive research on the link between choral singing and health. She is quite clear that choral singing, just like sports and other activities, has a positive effect on health, especially for people aged 62 and older.

“It’s an affordable activity that offers health benefits and has absolutely no side effects—except that it can be addictive,” she says, concluding:

– Choir singing brings joy, a sense of community, and a sense of accomplishment—all of which are important for quality of life and well-being!