The Öldutúnsskóli Choir celebrated its sixtieth anniversary.

Öldutúnsskóli sixty years old

„Six decades of singing, friendship, rehearsals and travels. That is no small story we are honouring here today,“ said Valdimar Víðisson, the mayor, in a speech at the 60th anniversary of the Öldutúnsskóli choir, which was held at the weekend. The work over these six decades is unique. Only two choir conductors have served throughout this entire time. The choir is nationally renowned.

The choir of Öldutúnsskóli was founded in 1965 by the music teacher, Eggert Friðleifsson. „He saw an opportunity to give the school's pupils a vibrant choral life and to create a platform where children could experience joy and energy, a sense of unity through song,“ Valdimar said at the anniversary. Egill conducted the choir for around four decades as the school's music teacher and choirmaster. The choir became one of the country's most well-known children's choirs, recording albums and performing widely. After Agli, Brynhildur Auðbjargardóttir took over the conductorship and still leads the choir.

„Under her leadership, the choir's work has not just continued, it has grown, evolved and thrived,“ Valdimar described.

The choir of Öldutúnsskóli has travelled far and wide, travelling abroad, taking part in choral festivals, singing with children from other countries and experiencing new cultures. Valdimar said these trips have shaped the children, broadened their horizons, boosted their self-confidence and created memories that will stay with them for the rest of their lives.

„The greatest achievement of the choir directors cannot be measured in records or concerts. It is all the children they reached. All those who found self-confidence in their voices and their singing. Such a thing is priceless.“ The choir's work was an integral part of the identity of Öldutúnsskóli.

„Thank you, Egill, for your pioneering work, for the courage to found a choir in 1965 and to carry on undeterred for decades. You have left a profound mark on the lives of countless children and on the cultural history of Hafnarfjörður,“ said Valdimar. „Thank you, Brynhildur, for taking up the baton and carrying it forward with enthusiasm, professionalism and a sincere love for children and music. You have shown that the choir is a vibrant, modern and dynamic group that sings both at home and abroad.“

Valdimar also thanked teachers, staff and school leaders, having worked at Öldutúnsskóli himself for sixteen years. „It's not a given that choir work gets this kind of status. It requires organisation, flexibility and a belief in the importance of the arts in school life.“ He also thanked parents and guardians. „Without you, no one would have turned up for the first rehearsal, except perhaps the choirmaster. You support, you drive them around and you listen.“ Then he thanked the pupils.

„You who stand here in the choir today. You are the present and the future. You carry on a story that began long before smartphones and social media came along.“

• More about the Öldutúnsskóli choir here.