Celebrating 200 years of song at Värmlands Nation
The choir has a classical choir repertoire and are good at German and Austrian romantic pieces from the 19th and 20th centuries. Photo: Mikael Wallerstedt
The Wermlands Nation Choral Society, the predecessor of the Värmlands Nation Choir, was founded in 1825. It is time to celebrate the 200th anniversary with three days of festivities from 28 to 30 March. 120 choir members from the past 50 years are joining in the celebrations.
Choir conductor Hanna Ohlson Nordh. Photo: Mikael Wallerstedt
Every Wednesday evening, the choir meets to rehearse at Värmlands Nation. The choir has around 47 members and a broad repertoire, according to choir conductor Hanna Ohlson Nordh.
“We have a classical choir repertoire and are good at German and Austrian romantic pieces from the 19th and 20th centuries. We have won prizes for our interpretations of Bruckner and Brahms, for example. But we also sing Swedish national romanticism and new works. Everything from Fröding poems that have been set to music to lively pieces and drinking songs.”
In addition to participating in international choir competitions, the choir usually makes an annual tour of Värmland, giving concerts in churches. But just as important are performances at all the Nation’s festivities, such as the Spring Ball and the Moose Gask.
“It's a core part of the choir’s activities and sense of community that we always have our own seating upstairs in the library, in parallel with the big seating at the Nation’s festivities,” says Leon Hejdenberg Philip.
Tracking down former members
Together with Sofia Ränk, he serves as the Anniversary General and has put a lot of effort into finding “alumni”, i.e. former members, for the anniversary celebration.
“We advertised in Nya Wermlands-Tidningen and found six former conductors from the 1980s and onwards who will be taking part in the concert.”
It took time to find former members. Photo: Mikael Wallerstedt
The work has paid off, and as many as 120 alumni from the past 50 years will be taking part in the 3 days of anniversary celebrations. On Friday, there will be a mingle event with an historical focus for current and former choir members. On Saturday, there will be an anniversary concert in the Missionskyrka church, followed by an anniversary gala dinner in the main hall of the Nation.
“Something particularly special is that almost all 180 festivity participants are choir singers, so many multi-part songs will be heard during the evening,” says Jakob Jonsson, who is the choir’s chair.
On Sunday, the celebration ends with brunch plus coffee and other light refreshments at the Nation.
March by Geijer
Leading up to the anniversary, a deep dive into the history of the Värmlands Nation Choir was performed. The Wermlands Nation Choral Society was founded by a medical student and managed to capture the interest of the poet Erik Gustaf Geijer, according to Jakob Jonsson.
Every Wednesday evening, the choir meets to rehearse. Photo: Mikael Wallerstedt
Geijer was an inspector at Värmlands Nation in 1825, when the choir was formed.
“According to legend, he composed a march called ‘Att älska Gud, Konung, Fädernesland’ [To Love God, King, Fatherland], which we have found. It was written the same night that the choral society came to his doorstep and sang its first pieces.”
This song will not be performed now, but may become part of the repertoire in the future.
Annica Hulth
Värmlands Nations Kör
- Organising singing within Värmlands Nation dates back to the 1820s, when the medical student P A Edgren formed Wermlands Nations Sångförening. Over time, this developed into the Värmlands Nation Choir.
- As part of this 200th anniversary, the choir invites to a jubilee concert on Saturday 29 March at 14.00 in Missionskyrkan.