07/09/2025
Singing. This was my childhood, my teenage and grown up life and is a huge part of my life even now. I got the chance to start with Schola Cantorum when I was around 6 years old. Here are memories maybe around 8? The conductor Margrethe Erikstad and I followed each other on tour with Rikskonsertene with my sister Helga and her son Arild Erikstad. She was my singingteacher when I studied music at Kristiansand Lærerhøgskole and I partisipated in Collegium Cantorum the female choir as a grown up. Margrethe was a dear friend and leader and I remember nice visits in her house from childhood till she became older. She loved flowers, a good talk at the kitchentable about good memories together and how life was, my singing etc. She was interested in my vocalcoachstudies of Complete Vocal Technique in Copenhagen with Cathrine Sadolin. I think she cared for us all even though she could be tough in her teaching. We learned respect for the music and how to present it. I have been singing different styles as a soloist for many years now. I know that what we learn singing together also in a choir brings culture, companionship and the chance to work together: Everyone is a part of the result and the process before. Thank you Margrethe Erikstad for being a huge part of my life. I think you were that for a lot of people. I got the chance to sing with pianist Asbjørn Arntsen in your funeral after being in the church. The memories and music is still alive. This program from NRK turned up on facebook today. I don’t think I have seen it before. I even had a little solo then and the music was Norsk Freske og Søk Herren, Norwegian churchmusic.
Kristiansandkoret Schola Cantorum med dirigent Margrethe Erikstad.