Summerconcerts
The Summerconcerts in the northern part of Iceland (previously Summerconcerts in Northern Iceland) operating from 1987 to 1998 and became an annual event in the musical calendar. After twelfth successive years, 176 concerts had been held in 13 churches with over 350 musicians from 15 countries.
Since the summer of 1999 the concerts are been held under the festival name Summerconcerts in Akureyri Church and the concerts only take place in Akureyri. Five concerts take place in July and the first weekend of August on Sundays at 17.00. Concerts last 60 minutes, no intermission and admission is free.
One of the basic thoughts of the festival when it was founded in 1987, was to plough the ground for musical exchanges between Iceland and foreign countries, e. g. a foreign musician plays in Akureyri Church and Icelandic musicians play concerts in his or her country. This is a very beneficial and rewarding system for all participants.
The financial background of the Summerconcerts festival is totally dependet on assistance from official and private funds, the goodwill of hotels, restaurants, travel agencies etc. and support from the audience.
The total budget is ca. 1.5 million IKR. (USD$ 21.000)
Musicians are chosen eigther by invitations or applications, (applications are to be sent no later than October the year before).
AKUREYRI CHURCH
was consecrated on the 17th of November 1940. The architect was Guðjón Samúelsson. Church services are held every Sunday at 11. am. and sometimes in the summer at 8. am.
Prayers og Intercession on Thursdays at 12.00.
ORGANS
The organ of Akureyri church was built by Steinmeyer & Co. Oettingen, Germany in 1961 and rebuilt by the Danish organbuilders P. Bruhn & Søn Orgelbyggeri in 1995. It has 49 stops, 3 manuals and pedal, 256 combinations (16 x 16). It has a mechanical action and electric registration. There is also a small choir organ, built in 1988 by the Icelandic organ builder Björgvin Tómasson which was his first pipe organ built for a church in Iceland. It has five stops and one manual.
For further informations, please contact :
Sigrún Magna Þórsteinsdóttir
Summerconcerts in Akureyri Church
P.O. box 442
IS-602 AKUREYRI
ICELAND
tel: 354 462 7700
email: organistar@akirkja.is