Queer choir from England visits Iceland

It’s not every day that we Icelanders get to hear choirs from foreign countries, let alone a queer men’s choir, but this week we´ll get one of those rare visits.

Michael Betteridge, the conductor of The Sunday Boys.

The Sunday Boys from Manchester are holding two concerts here, on Thursday 15th and Friday 16th of March. Their conductor, Michael Betteridge, has been working on a project in Iceland for two years and when the idea of the choir going on tour came up his first thought was: “We´ll go to Iceland!”

GayIceland got in touch with Michael and started by asking about the forthcoming gigs. “We are performing two gigs. The first is in Askirkja at 8pm on Thursday 15th March and the second is in Grindavik on Friday 16th March,” says Michael and adds that the choir sings all sorts of music. “We especially like to perform work that is slightly unusual. We sing a lot of contemporary classical music including early career composers – we also commission a lot of new music too. However we also do pop music and folk music, but we try to do it differently from what you may have heard before!”

“We are mainly gay men but we welcome anyone and everybody who’s voice can fit into one of our vocal parts … and we do have some straight people and trans members too!”

Michael says that he formed the choir in January 2016 in the basement of a bar in Manchester as an opportunity for men to meet each other and socialise in a different way. The choir has quickly grown to over 100 members – but only around 35 will be singing in Iceland though, which Michael says is amazing given the short space of time.
“We describe ourselves as a choir for “LGBT+ low voices and their friends and allies”,” he says when asked if the choir is an exclusively gay choir, or just a regular men’s choir. “We are mainly gay men but we welcome anyone and everybody who’s voice can fit into one of our vocal parts – high tenors through to low basses -, and we do have some straight people and trans members too! As long as our members are willing to work hard in rehearsal – that’s all we ask!”

Michael is not only the conductor of the Sunday Boys, he’s also an esteemed composer, who has written music for the London Symphony Orchestra, among many others. “I’m originally from a small village in the south of England, near Oxford, and came to Manchester for University and never left! I loved musical theater, but also composing my own music and did a lot of this at university, before studying composition and conducting at the Royal Northern College of Music.

Michael is not only the conductor of the Sunday Boys, he’s also an esteemed composer, who has written music for the London Symphony Orchestra.

Since then I have written music for the likes of the London Symphony Orchestra, violinist Nicola Benedetti, Salisbury Festival Chorus and many more.

I specialize in both creating music for the voice – choral, operas, musical theater – but also in working with nonprofessionals, so collaborating with young people to create their own music. This work has seen me collaborate with Opera North, Garsington Opera, Birmingham Contemporary Music Group, BBC Philharmonic and many more exciting projects.

I recently came back from Aarhus, Denmark working with young people from Den Jyske Opera in collaboration with young people from Opera North in Leeds. As a conductor I’ve worked with many choirs, but also conducted many of my own projects including big works with young people playing alongside the London Symphony Orchestra. My biggest performance to date was the world premiere of the community opera Get Weaving that was performed by over 400 singers and players at the Bridgewater Hall in Manchester in April last year.”

“I also LOVE the country so much despite it being expensive for Brits! – the people, the landscapes, the culture, the amazing fresh fish! Even more excuse to visit.”

That’s quite impressive, but what is your connection to Iceland? Why are you honouring us with your visit?
“I have been working in Iceland since April 2016 with Icelandic writer-director Ingunn Lara Kristjansdottir and soprano/producer Isabella Leifsdottir on a new opera project called ‘#echochamber’ that is opening at Tjarnarbio in Reykjavik in May this year. We’ve been exploring themes of shaming on social media through opera and, over a period of almost two years, we have created a 70 minute opera for 4 singers and piano. Through working in the country we’ve met lots of different people and when the production team for choir spoke about doing an international tour, I said: why not Iceland? I also LOVE the country so much despite it being expensive for Brits! – the people, the landscapes, the culture, the amazing fresh fish! Even more excuse to visit.”

Going back to The Sunday Boys, tell us more about your concerts here in Iceland.
“We will performing an eclectic range of English language music include world premieres by Anna Appleby and myself, alongside Icelandic premieres of other British composers such as Chris Hutchings and Howard Skempton. There’ll be some classic English folk music and traditional work by Benjamin Britten and Ralph Vaughan Williams alongside popular music as well,” he replies and points out that all info on the events is available on Facebook.

When asked what his plans are for the future of the choir, Michael says that next steps include getting into the recording studio, some more touring, but before that they have a big concert this summer alongside celebrated poet Andrew McMillan where they will premiere some new work that the two of them have collaborated on inspired by stories from members of the choir.

Á. Óskarsson
Á. Óskarsson

Á. Óskarsson offers a variety of products and services to sports centers, swimming pools, schools, kindergartens, and the general public. The company specializes in sport-related products, activity-focused games, and a wide range of solutions for sports facilities.

Á. Óskarsson has been involved in numerous big projects related to building sports facilities and has made it their benchmark to offer good quality products and equipment since the company was founded.

See links to social media in the upper left-hand corner

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Á. Óskarsson selur fjölbreytt vöruúrval fyrir íþróttahús, sundlaugar, skóla og leikskóla og einnig ýmsar vörur til einkaafnota. Fyrirtækið selur vörur til íþróttaiðkunnar og leikja ásamt því að bjóða upp á ýmsar lausnir fyrir íþróttamannvirki.

Á. Óskarsson hefur komið að fjölda stórra verkefna við byggingu íþróttamannvirkja og hefur frá stofnun kappkostað að bjóða vandaðar og endingargóðar vörur.

Tenglar á samfélagsmiðla eru í efra horninu vinstra megin.

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Blush

    Blush was founded in 2011 when it started selling high quality sex products. The goal from the beginning was to change the market and take the discussion about sex products to a higher level. Today Blush provides professional services in a pleasant environment that fulfills different needs, both for individuals and couples. Blush respects diversity and wants to set a good example in all of its messaging to target audiences. Sexual health and equality in sex is important and Blush wants to focus on those issues through education and open discussion. Blush works in a socially responsible manner for society, their customers and the environment.

    Check out Blush’s website: https://blush.is/

    Omnom Chocolate
    - award-winning chocolate maker

      Omnom Chocolate is an Icelandic craft chocolate company based in Reykjavík. We produce handcrafted chocolate from organic cacao beans sourced ethically and sustainably. We’ve developed direct relationships to create premium chocolate with fine flavor cacao beans.

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      In only a few short years, we’ve grown from our 50 sq. m. petrol station space and become an award-winning chocolate maker. Now, with our headquarters in 101 Reykjavík, our chocolate is sent out around Iceland and all over the world.

      At the end of the day, our goal is to make chocolate.

       

      Nasdaq

         

        Nasdaq (Nasdaq: NDAQ) is a global technology company serving the capital markets and other industries. Our diverse offering of data, analytics, software and services enables clients to optimize and execute their business vision with confidence.

        With over 4,300 employees in 39 offices around the world, at Nasdaq we all contribute to the success of the company and its culture, and each one of us has the ability to make a difference. When it comes to our core mission and values, we embrace the role of Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging (DIB) as a fundamental driver of our corporate growth, workplace culture and market development. We strive to create a culture that embraces the power of different perspectives—a culture where people’s unique backgrounds and different experiences helps us fuel innovation and support our clients around the world.

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        Blue Lagoon
        - One of the 25 Wonders of the World

        Named by National Geographic as one of the 25 Wonders of the World, the Blue Lagoon is a shimmering expanse of warmth, relaxation, and rejuvenation. Its unique geothermal seawater
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        From its humble beginnings in the shadows of a geothermal power plant, Blue Lagoon has evolved into a world of wonder, now encompassing two hotels, three restaurants, three
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        Achieving harmony with the volcanic landscape, the lagoon and its surrounding architecture embody the unification of the man-made and the natural, and adhere to the highest principles of sustainability.

        The Blue Lagoon. A wonder of the world. A world of wonder.

        Landsbankinn
        - leading financial institution
        Landsbankinn

        Landsbankinn is a leading Icelandic financial institution. It offers a full range of financial services and is the market leader in the Icelandic financial service sector with the largest branch network.

        The present bank was established on 7 October 2008 but the history of its predecessor dates back to 1886. The bank is owned by the National Treasury of Iceland, which holds 98.2% of its share capital, and other shareholders who own 1.8%.

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        Landsbankinn wishes to lead the development of a sustainable society in Iceland by integrating economic, social and environmental concerns in its operations. The Bank aims to ensure that both its owners and society at large benefit from its activities.

        It intends to achieve this aim by building solid infrastructure and a strong team of 1.100 employees, by listening to its customers and by respecting and encouraging its employees to actively participate in their community. Landsbankinn was a founding member of Festa, a Centre for Corporate Social Responsibility, and is a member of the UN Global Compact.

        Landsbankinn has been a proud sponsor of the Reykjavik Pride since it was first celebrated in Iceland.

        Dohop
        - get inspired
        Dohop

        Dohop allows people to find the cheapest flights available with just one click. Founded in Reykjavik in 2004, it is the only Icelandic company of its kind and quickly became the go-to tool for finding cheap flights among the locals. Dohop finds the best deals among hundreds of different airlines and online travel agencies, to make sure that the user is getting the cheapest price. Dohop also offers hotel and car rental search engines, so users can make all of their travel bookings from a single website.

        Dohop‘s specialty is finding so-called “self-connect” flight options, which can save travelers money by booking a ticket through two or more different airlines. The ability to look for these self-connect option is what sets Dohop apart from its competition, as it can save people hundreds of dollars on certain routes.

        More recently, Dohop has developed a unique product called Dohop Go!, which allows users to check for the cheapest available flights from their home airport. This tool is perfect for those who are looking for travel inspiration but are not willing to overpay for their flight ticket. Dohop Go! is now available in the Dohop Flights App, both for Android and iOS, along with its traditional flight, hotel, and car search engines. “

        VSÓ Ráðgjöf

           

          VSÓ Ráðgjöf er alhliða ráðgjafar- og verkfræðifyrirtæki sem leggur áherslu á trausta og faglega þjónustu sem tryggir viðskiptavinum hagkvæmustu lausnir hverju sinni, skilar raunverulegum árangri og stuðlar að samkeppnisforskoti.  Á skrifstofum VSÓ í Reykjavík og í Noregi starfar yfir 80 manna samhentur hópur verkfræðinga og annarra tæknimenntaðra starfsmanna.

          Macland
          - for all your Apple needs
          Macland

          From starting out as a proper startup with only a good idea and the need to change things, to becoming an established company with 6 employees. Starting from scratch and expanding organically has allowed us to love our expansion and take our customers on the ride with us.

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          Ísey skyr
          - once tasted never forgotten

          Our Story
          Once upon a time, 1,100 years ago in fact, Nordic settlers began arriving in Iceland. They brought with them the skills and knowledge for producing skyr. As time passed, the know-how and recipe for this nutritious food slowly faded out elsewhere in the Nordic region. Luckily, the Icelandic skyr-making tradition continued.

          For centuries, Icelandic skyr formed a cornerstone of the national diet, helping to keep people strong in living conditions that were often harsh. On family farms countrywide, it was the women who nurtured this dairy and passing on both the recipe and the original Icelandic skyr cultures from mother to daughter.

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          This is our secret and you are in on it

          You can read more about Ísey skyr on our website.

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