Nearly a hundred young musicians in Hafnarfjörður this summer

Young string players in Hafnarfjörður this summer

Melodious tones from the violin, viola, and cello will be heard from Lækjarskóli, Hásölum and the Hafnarfjörður Music School from 14th-23rd June. Nearly one hundred young string players will then take part in the HIMA International Music Academy, which will be held in Hafnarfjörður. The City of Hafnarfjörður and HIMA have joined forces, and the city will be the sponsor of this international music course.

Sigurgeir Agnarsson, Chairman HIMA, says the partnership agreement with the City of Hafnarfjörður is of great importance. „The partnership provides us with the stability and peace we have been seeking for many years, and for which we are extremely grateful to the City of Hafnarfjörður. The location is good, and it's a short walk for students to stroll into the town centre and enjoy being in the town.“

Enhances the cultural life in Hafnarfjörður

Mayor Rósa Guðbjartsdóttir welcomes the young people these days. „Hafnarfjörður is Culturally significant and we see this collaboration as an excellent way to empower the young people in their field, while also ensuring that residents get to hear these beautiful tunes. They are brightening up the town these days and we are enjoying it.“

The young musicians will take part in the town's 17th June celebrations by playing at „pop-up“ coffee concerts at the town's care homes, Sóltún and Hrafnista. HIMA's final concert will then take place at Norðurljós in the Harpa concert hall on 23 June.

Strengthening relationships and friendship on the course

Sigurgeir says the basic idea is to create a framework for Icelandic string students so they don't have to reinvent the wheel. „The aim is to give young string players the opportunity to attend a very ambitious course without having to leave the country. HIMA's reputation has since spread far and wide, attracting international students as well. This is of great value, as it creates connections and friendships beyond the daily routine. Icelandic music students thus get to meet others with similar aspirations without having to fly abroad.“

Foreign participants are mainly from the United States, where, for example, the violinist Sigurbjörn Bernharðsson lives; he is the artistic director of HIMA. Students also come from Europe, particularly from the Nordic countries. There are also always a few from Asia.

The first HIMA course was held at the Harpa concert hall in 2013. It is now being held for the second time in Hafnarfjörður, but for the first time in collaboration with the town.

We, the residents of Hafnarfjörður, can therefore expect to see the students – in three divisions: junior, middle and senior – strolling about with their instrument cases on these June days.