Rudsambee reviewed in Norway

Agderposten

Generous Scots at the choir festival.

TRAVELLERS FROM AFAR: Rudsambee Choir from Scotland were among the 20 choirs who entertained at Arendal Choir Festival this weekend.

ARENDAL: The Scots are known as a stingy race. This was disproved by Rudsambee Choir from Edinburgh during Arendal Choir Festival this weekend. There they gave generously of their musical horn of plenty. "That the Scots are a bunch of tightwads is something which remains from the old days when the people of the northern British Isles had little. Today the Scots are generous with everything. I know all about it because I studied engineering in Scotland in the 60's," says Arne Hamre from Arendal.

He is also taking part in Arendal Choir Festival. He sings in 'Liga af Sang og Munterhed' [League of Song and Merriment]. This year's festival comprises over 500 singers divided between 20 choirs from large parts of Southern Norway - and one from Scotland. Rudsambee Choir come from Edinburgh and are performing at the festival with 11 of their 18 regular singers.

On Saturday afternoon, they sang at Canal Square in Arendal. Together with all the other singers, Rudsambee Choir stayed at Hove Camp. The social side of things is what is most important at Arendal Choir Festival. It is just about song and fun. No-one is to achieve anything other than to sing with and for each other.

"We have come to Arendal on a return visit to 'Liga af Sang og Munterhed' and are therefore taking part in the festival. They visited us in Scotland two years ago and ties were made," says Susan Wexler.

"Earlier this year we were at a festival in Ireland. That was much more serious. Here in Arendal, we are just having a great time," Susan continues.

Both in Canal Square and during the barbecue, together with the 500 other singers at Hove, they give of their versatile and quite special repertoire. In Rudsambee Choir they sing many songs from all around the world.

"Also in languages we don't understand," Susan adds.

Much of the music is composed by the choir's own members and most of it they have arranged themselves. The choir's name, Rudsambee, is also a Gaelic word which means "Anything at all" and this is reflected in what they sing.

They also sang a great deal on their way from Edinburgh to Arendal. They came by boat via Stavanger and on a sightseeing trip on Lysefjord they sang so it resounded on the Pulpit Rock - even though it was raining. And they sang in the ancient, venerable Utstein Cloister.

Arendal Choir Festival was running for its fifth time this year. The festival has become an institution. Many choirs come back year after year. 'Birkenes Bygdekor' are the only choir to have taken part all five times. You need to enrol early. There is a limit of around 500 singers. Then Hove has reached its capacity. Interest indicates that they need to extend it to 1,500.