Youth orchestra from Norway in performance at Shoreline Center

Soloist Eldbjerg Hemsing in Norway

Ung Symfoni from Bergen, Norway will be touring Western Washington from March 30 to April 6, 2012, with a performance on Friday. April 6, 7pm at the Shoreline Conference Center.

The concert is free, but donations will be accepted to help with their expenses. Suggested donation is $10 adults and $5 students, but donations are certainly not required.

Ung Symfoni is one of Norway's largest symphony orchestras for youth and is considered the premier orchestra in Norway that is not project oriented.

The average age of musicians is about 20 years. The majority of members come from Bergen, but the orchestra has members from all over southern Norway. The orchestra is a melting pot of young musicians from school orchestras, bands, music schools, secondary schools and conservatories. 

Kjell Seim, Conductor

Founded in 1997, the orchestra is directed by Kjell Seim, one of the most sought-after conductors in Norway.

The orchestra has also done concerts in Belgium, Czech Republic, Russia, Italy and Japan. According to a spokesperson, the orchestra toured Western Washington in 2004 and and is very excited to be back.

Soloist Eldbjerg Hemsing is regarded as one of Norway's most promising young artists, captivating audiences and critics alike with her performances and prompting the Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra in Norway to describe her as being "a sensational newcomer in Norwegian music life!"

Eldbjerg is a versatile musician, equally at home performing folk music on the Hardanger Fiddle as classical music. She plays a GB Guadagnini violin from 17S4, kindly on loan from the Dextra Musica Foundation. She will also be playing Hardanger Fiddle on this tour.

For information contact Joanne Donnellan, 360-384-1394.