Norwegian wind orchestra to perform in concert at MSU

The Suoni Wind Orchestra from Skien, Telemark, in Norway will be performing a concert in Ann Nicole Nelson Hall, Oct. 8, at 7:30 p.m. Sponsored by Minot State University and the Norsk Høstfest, the concert is free and open to the public.

The Suoni Wind Orchestra consists of 50 amateur musicians and, on this tour, two young, singing soloists. Suoni has for several years been a leading band in Telemark County. Its broad repertoire includes light classical music as well as popular and rhythmic programs of great entertainment. The conductor, Øyvind Strand, is well known in Norway for his compositions and arrangements for bands.

While Suoni has participated in several international tours, including Beijing, Berlin and Prague, this is its first visit to the United States. The orchestra enjoys a very good relationship with the U.S. Embassy in Oslo, where they have performed at the ambassador’s Independence Day garden party. On Sept. 11, 2003, Suoni played in a concert in Oslo in memory of the 2001 tragedy in the United States. The orchestra termed this performance "an honourable and solemn mission."

The Suoni Wind Orchestra considers its Midwest tour to be part of the important cultural exchange between the United States and Norway in the spirit of "hands across the sea" and to appropriately end in Skien’s sister city of Minot. Along with an Oct. 10 concert at Høstfest, other appearances included Minneapolis and Willmar, Minn.

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