Launching two dementia choirs

Thanks to strong support from many quarters, no fewer than two dementia choirs are now being launched in Kristiansand. Registration for the Gullstrupene Dementia Choir opens on Thursday, March 23.  

“A lot has fallen into place in a short amount of time, and it’s incredibly rewarding to see the goodwill from everyone we’ve reached out to in order to make this happen. So we’re looking forward to accepting registrations starting tomorrow,” says producer Maria Elise Thorkildsen.  

Thorkildsen works as the director of KulturRullator in the municipality of Kristiansand, and has now been brought on board by Kilden to lead the initiative for a dementia choir at Kilden.

Extensive experience 

The choirs currently being established will be called the Gullstrupene Dementia Choir, organized by Kilden , and the Strømmestrupene Dementia Choir, organized by Strømmehaven. The former is aimed at people with dementia who live at home and will hold rehearsals at Knuden, while the Strømmestrupene Dementia Choir will begin rehearsals in April for residents and users of the day center.

Kilden already runs Sølvstrupene, Scandinavia’s largest senior choir, with 150 members and a long waiting list. Being able to expand our offerings to people with dementia feels very meaningful,” says Elisabeth Lindland, project manager for Kilden .  

Those interested can read more about the dementia initiative and sign up here starting Thursday, March 23: kilden

Broad collaboration 

The establishment of the two dementia choirs in Kristiansand has been made possible through a broad collaboration between Kilden performing arts centre, Knuden – Kristiansand Culture School, KulturRullator, Strømmehaven, the University of Agder, Blåkors, the Development Center for Nursing Homes and Home Care Services, as well as financial support from Sparebanken Sør and the Municipality of Kristiansand.  

Photo: Lars Gunnar Liestøl. From left: Dagfinn Haarr, Elisabeth Lindland, Marie Teresie Sørensen, Harald Furre, Eva Kvelland, Marie Elise Thorkildsen, and Mette Mo Olsen.