GOSPEL AND NATIONAL ROMANTICISM ON HOVEN
CD-ACTUAL RESPONS ON SUMMER TOUR 2019
On the afternoon of Wednesday, June 26, the youth choir Respons from Emblem outside Ålesund will make the trip up to Hoven. At the top, there will be a concert with gospel and national romance on the program. The choir is releasing a new CD album these days. Now it's time for the annual summer tour.
The concert is open to all guests at Hoven.
About Respons Youth Choir - an important youth work
The choir has members aged 13-20, and has had a stable membership for many years. Today, between 50 and 70 young people gather for rehearsals every Monday. One goal is to give young people the opportunity to develop musically, creatively, socially and personally. Activities include choir singing, a soloist panel, a five-piece band, six young people working with sound and lighting technology, and multimedia. The musical style and arrangements are largely shaped by the young people themselves. Much of the choir's repertoire is written by choir member and musical director Arild Berstad, who two years ago was awarded the King's Silver Medal of Merit for his work with the Respons youth choir.
In terms of style, this ranges from youthful hymns to gospel, pop and jazz rock and some more experimental music with a mix of different styles. A team of 5 volunteers has the main responsibility for the choir. Respons is an important leisure activity for young people in Ålesund and the surrounding area. The choir performs and gives concerts in Norway and abroad, and Respons is an important part of the members' leisure time. A few years ago, the choir participated in Kjempesjansen on NRK together with former choir member and conductor Birgitte Velsvik. During AaFK's home games, you can hear the choir when the AaFK anthem is played.
Respons has a number of performances throughout the year. In November 2014, they had a concert for a packed Parken Kulturhus, when they warmed up for one of the world's most famous Christian bands, Leeland. In the fall of 2016, the choir supported none other than Samuel Ljungblahd in Ålesund, known for his fantastic interpretation of "Joyful, Joyful" during the prince's wedding in Sweden in 2016. Respons also has this song in its repertoire. In the fall of 2017, the choir warmed up for Kevin Max, renowned vocalist in DC Talk.
