THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, March 28, 1996 TAG: 9603260136
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: 10 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JOAN C. STANUS, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 51 lines
They've sung at the White House.
Now, they're off to give the people of Norway a sample of their vocal prowess.
The Old Dominion University Children's Choir and an entourage of 23 adults and siblings will leave today for a 10-day concert tour in Oslo and Moss, Norway. While there, the 18 choristers will present one public concert and an array of private performances at nursing homes, churches, art galleries and museums.
The choir had an invitation to perform for the Norwegian king and queen but couldn't fit it into their schedule. It would have been the choir's second performance for the royal pair.
``It just didn't work out,'' lamented Brenda Woods, a parent who is organizing the trip. ``The only time we could go was during spring break, and the king and queen were already going skiing.''
The choir, composed of singers aged 8 to 16 from throughout Hampton Roads, sang for the Norwegian king and queen last October during the couple's visit to Virginia Beach, the sister city to Moss, Norway. Afterward, Norwegian officials with the sister city association invited the choir to visit Norway.
``They were so impressed with us, they invited us to come to their country and perform there,'' said Woods, whose 12-year-old daughter is a chorister.
Although the choir had only a few months to plan and ``virtually no funds,'' the members and their families decided to go. The sister city association arranged for the children and their families to stay in the homes of Norwegian residents and agreed to pay for transportation within the country. The choristers raised some money from a yard sale and by gift wrapping at a book store during Christmas. A few donors contributed some funds. And the parents wrangled ``terrific air fares.''
Choristers, however, are paying their own air fares to and from Norway.
``We didn't have the time or the wherewithal to raise all the money,'' Woods explained. ``It all happened so fast. But it was such a great opportunity for the children, we couldn't turn it down. It really is an honor.''
The three-year-old choir, under the direction of Linda Vastardis, operates under the auspices of the ODU Community Music Academy. Last June, the choir sang at the White House.
The Norwegian trip, however, will mark the group's first experience performing outside the United States. by CNB