The Icelandic Canadian - 01.09.1977, Qupperneq 37

THE ICELANDIC CANADIAN
35
New Iceland soon became a part
Of Manitoba on the chart.
The settlers spread throughout the west,
But Iceland’s lore was not suppressed.
Thus we can hear the sagas sung
Today with modern sing-along,
See glima wrestling in the park
And chew the hardfish for a lark.
In memory of immigrants
From Hekla's lava-covered slants,
Friends celebrate with Iceland's kin
A t Islendingadagurinn.
—Edward R. Brandt
THE ICELANDIC WOMEN'S CHOIR
By Ingibjorg S. Goodridge
In 1968 a choir came into being. That
statement in itself is not particularly ex-
citing. However, the circumstances
surrounding the event are both interest-
ing and praiseworthy. In fact, it is quite
an achievement.
A small group of women in Iceland
who loved to sing, decided to launch out
on an ambitious enterprize, that of
organizing a choir. These women were
mostly housewives and business girls
who shared common interests. They all
lived in the southern part of Iceland;
they all loved music. None of them were
trained singers nor accomplished musi-
cians.
The founders were forty women from
the immediate district, many of whom
are still members of the choir. The group
became known as “Kvennakor Sudur-
nesja” (The Women’s Choir from the
Southern Headlands). At the inaugural
meeting on February 22nd, 1968, an
executive was elected under the leader-
ship of Johanna Kristinsdottir, the first
chairwoman. Herbert H. Agustsson, the
first and only Choral Director and Con-
ductor, still leads the Choir. Ragn-
heidur Skuladottir has held the posi-
tion of accompanist from the beginning
to the present.
The initial performance of the Choir
took place on April 1st, 1969, in Kef-
lavik Church. Since then it has held
concerts annually throughout Iceland.
In addition, the Choir toured Ireland
in 1974 and took part in the Cork Inter-
national Music Festival, placing fifth
in competition, a singular achieve-
ment for the only truly amateur group
in the choral event.
This summer, the choir under the
able leadership of Margret Fridriks-
dottir, the chairwoman, realized its
dream of coming to America to sing
for its western friends and relatives.
The Choir arrived in Winnipeg, on
July 17th, 1977. The following morning
they proceeded to Seattle, Washington,
where they performed at Calvary
Lutheran Church as well as at Stafholt
Senior Citizens Home. Their program
was well received and enjoyed by all.
After a short but pleasant stay in the
U.S.A. they travelled to Vancouver,
B.C. Here too, they sang to the delight
of the audience gathered in Redeemer
Lutheran Church and at Hofn Senior
Citizens Home.