December in Oslo

As it is for most Salvation Army bands, December was a busy month for the Oslo Temple Band (Bandmaster Yngve Slettholm). The band had several engagements, including playing at the Norwegian Folk Museum and a concert with the Advent Singers.

On the first Sunday of Advent, the band played at several places in the Norwegian Folk Museum in the afternoon. This event has a long tradition. Unfortunately, another performance with a long tradition, at the Tønsberg Cathedral, did not occur this year, but it is hoped that it will again be scheduled in the future.

The Oslo Temple Band had a great concert on 13 December 2009 with the Advent Singers under their conductor, Sverre Valen. This concert was the subject of long planning and a large audience was present. Items from the Advent Singers included the Hallelujah Chorus, The Holy City and Silent Night. The band contributed items including Joyous Carillon (Norman Bearcroft), the euphonium solo Ding Dong Merrily on High (Douglas Court) and Feliz Navidad (José Feliciano, arr. Dorothy Gates).

Other December engagements for the band included participating in a government Christmas devotional and playing at the Olso prison on Christmas Eve.