Thursday May 29th 2025
Time: 20:00
Location:  Hallgrímskirkja Church

At the opening concert two of Iceland’s most prominent mixed choirs, the Choir of Hallgrímskirkja and the Choir of Langholtskirkja, will present a progam showcasing some of Icelands finest choral music

The Choir of Hallgrímskirkja was founded in the autumn of 2021. The choir consists of around 55 singers that sing both in services and concerts in Hallgrímskirkja. The choir has a wide range of repertoire and has put emphasis on promoting new Icelandic choir music. The Choir of Hallgrímskirkja has commisioned and premiered 11 new pieces by Icelandic composers since it’s foundation. The choir has performed with The Icelandic Symphony Orchestra and has a fruitful collaboration with Brák Baroque Ensemble as well as the Reykjavík Chamber Orchestra. Steinar Logi Helgason is the conductor of the Choir of Hallgrímskirkja.

Björn Steinar Sólbergsson, organist and music-director of Hallgrímskirkja – Reykjavík was born in Akranes, western Iceland in 1961. In 1981 he completed his studies at the National Church School of Music, majoring the organ, before studying for a year in
Rome with James E. Goëttsche. Björn Steinar then moved to France where he studied
with Susan Landale at the Conservatoire National de Musique de Rueil Malmaison and
received the Prix de Virtuosité in summer of 1986.
The same year he was appointeded organist in Akureyri Church, north Iceland, where he
became very active in the musiclife of Akureyri.

In atumn 2006 he was appointed organist in Hallgrímschurch in Reykjavík. He also teaches the organ at the National Church School of Music in Reykjavík and at the Iceland University of the Arts.
Björn Steinar plays organ-music from all periods as well as Icelandic organ- music and
arrangements of Scandinavican folk-songs and dances.
His recordings of organ and choirmusic have been released on several CD´s and
broadcasted on Icelandic State Radio and TV.
He received the DV- Cultural-prize for the year 1999, Icelandic Optimism-prize in 2001
and he is The Akureyri Artist of the year 2002. Artist honorar salary in 1999 and 2015.
Björn Steinar has given concerts all over Europe, in USA, Canada and all Scandinavian
countries and performed as a soloist with the Icelandic Symphony Orchestra, the
Akureyri Chamber Orchestra, Stavanger Symphony orchestra and the Cleveland Institute
of Music Orchestra.  

Friday May 30th 2025
Time:  8:30 
Location:  Hallgrímskirkja Church
«Laudes»Gregorian chant with Schola Solensis – Norway

Say a morning prayer to begin your day. The prayer on Friday morning will be led by participants from Norway and will be in the style of plainchant.

Friday May 30th 2025
Time: 20:00
Location: Hallgrímskirkja Church

In this concert participating choirs perform a diverse repertoire:

Sankta Helena kyrkokör
Slettebakken motettkor, Udlandskoret og Cantus Skjold
Sct. Severin kirkes kor
Helsinki Gospel

.

Saturday May 31th 2025
Time: 8:30
Location:  Hallgrímskirkja Church
Lead by the group Force Machaut from the Åland Islands

Saturday May 31th 2025
Time: 17:00
Location: Hallgrímskirkja Church

During this concert participants will present and perform music rehearsed during the workshops.

The concert will showcase a great variety in contemporary nordic church music.

Saturday May 31th 2025
Time: 20:00
Location: Nasa – sjálfstæðissalur

Come on, let’s get together, sing, and celebrate!

The Festival party will be held at Nasa:

Over the years, the hall has been known by various names – originally, the building was called the Independence House by Austurvöllur and the hall has a strong connection to Icelandic music history, where concerts and dances took place from the middle of the last century. Later, it became the entertainment venue Sigtún, and even later the Nasa entertainment venue operated there for a period. Today, the hall has been meticulously renovated, with efforts made to recreate its original appearance., a cultural center that was formerly home to the Icelandic Opera for many years. We’ll enjoy musical acts, and everyone attending the event is welcome to play and perform on stage.

Sunday June 1st 2025
Time: 11:00 
Location: Hallgrímskirkja Church

NKSF 2025 will end with a magnificent high mass were all the participants will join in music and worship

Bishop of Iceland, Guðrún Karls Helgudóttir
Rev. Irma Sjöfn Óskarsdóttir
Björn Steinar Sólbergsson, organist
Magnús Ragnarsson, conductor
Choir of Langholtskirkja
Workshop leaders and participants in NKSF 2025