ABSTRACT

In Sandane, a tiny town in rural Western Norway, a group of pensioners has created a choir in collaboration with one of the music therapists in town. The music therapist-cum-conductor, Solgunn Knardal, usually starts each rehearsal with a series of physical and vocal exercises. Solgunn Knardal, the music therapist conducting the choir, calls for attention. The singers gather together and sit down on their respective chairs. Solgunn talks about their previous concert and praises their performance more than just a little, before she informs the choir that they have received news about forthcoming financial support from a local bank as well as from the music council of the municipality. Solgunn tells the singers that after the previous concert she had spoken with a member of the audience; a local book seller and well-known man in town.