MSU Choir - Norway Tour Day 1: Syttende Mai in Skien
- emersoneads
- Feb 4
- 2 min read
May 18, 2025
May 17th – Syttende Mai in Skien
The day began early—5:45 a.m., to be exact—likely thanks to a combination of excitement and jet lag. After a much-needed espresso (or five), I set off for a peaceful morning walk along the Skien waterfront. As I walked I thought about how fortunate Minot is to have Rolf Haugen and Jan Terje and Margrethe Olsen as its friends and supporters! They absolutely outdid themselves making us comfortable, making connections possible in the town, and just rolling out the red carpet for us!
What followed was a truly joyful celebration of Norway’s Constitution Day alongside our Norwegian friends. The warmth and pride of Skien, and the joy of every generation celebrating together, made the day unforgettable.
One of the most meaningful moments for me was hearing the world premiere of my piece, CROSSINGS, conducted beautifully by Kristoffer Wøien. This work was composed in honor of the deep and enduring partnership between Skien and Minot, and to commemorate 200 years of Scandinavian migration to the United States. It is dedicated to our sister city, Skien, and to Rolf Haugen, whose efforts have long strengthened the ties between our communities.
I was also deeply grateful to Acting Mayor Mark Jantzer for writing a thoughtful and affirming proclamation, reaffirming Minot’s steadfast support for our sister city agreement with Skien. At a time when this long-standing partnership has faced challenges amid recent political turbulence, his leadership and commitment to international friendship have been both timely and inspiring. We are fortunate to have such steady guidance in moments like these.
One of the true highlights of the day was marching in the parade and singing alongside more than 200 incredible voices—a moment of unity and celebration that was so very moving.
Later, thanks to the generosity of Skien’s Mayor Marius Roheim Aarvold, Cultural Minister Guro, and the support of Rune and Line, we had the unforgettable opportunity to take a dinner cruise along the Skien Canal, passing through its historic locks. As we floated through the waterway, we sang Peter Lutkin’s The Lord Bless You and Keep You and the fourth movement of Damien Geter’s A Cantata for a More Hopeful Tomorrow, with my wife Abbie performing the cello obbligato.
It was a beautiful and moving way to bring the day to a close—filled with music, gratitude, and connection.
Thanks to my wife, Abbie for these pictures and videos!
Comments