The Nidaros Band, from Trondheim in Norway, is currently visiting England on its first-ever overseas tour.

Concerts

The tour has included evening concerts in Kettering, in West Byfleet (with the Cobham Band), and in Guildford (with the Friary Guildford Band), as well as a free lunchtime concert in the picturesque setting of the Village Green in Bourton on the Water, Gloucestershire.

Banding enthusiasts who were keen to play in a brass band, and whose activity level was compatible with a busy lifestyle, formed the Nidaros Band in 2003.

Entertainment

The band rehearses every other Sunday and does not take part in competitions, although most of the band’s players have previously competed at championship section level with other bands.

Instead, the band focuses on providing entertaining and challenging concerts, featuring its own soloists, and is committed to performing music from a variety of musical genres to a high standard.

the band focuses on providing entertaining and challenging concerts, featuring its own soloists, and is committed to performing music from a variety of musical genres to a high standard4BR

Original name

Trondheim is Norway’s third largest city and has a population of about 174,000. However, the Nidaros band is named for the original name of the city.

Trondheim was founded as Nidaros, by Olav Tryggvason in 997, and had this name until the 17th century, when the city became Trondhjem.

After briefly reverting to the name Nidaros, from 1930-1931, the city name officially became Trondheim.

Conductor

The band is conducted by Geir Ulseth, who is in charge of music for the Norwegian Band Federation (NMF), the main umbrella organisation for brass and wind bands in Norway that, among many other things, is responsible for organising the Norwegian Brass Band Championships.

Geir has also played tuba in the band, as well as playing tuba in Ila Brass Band, winning the Norwegian Championships with them in 1989. He has also played tuba professionally in both the Norwegian Air Force Band and the brass ensemble Quintus.

Originally, the Nidaros Band had hoped to visit the Enfield Citadel Band, who visited Trondheim in 2009, giving two concerts, and taking part in the National Day parade, as part of a Norwegian tour.

Concerts

Unfortunately this was not possible, but with help from euphonium legend Trevor Groom, a concert was set up, at the Salvation Army Hall in Kettering, on the evening of Thursday 2nd June.

The band has also given a lunchtime concert, in Bourton on the Water and joint concerts have been given with Friary Guildford Band, and the Cobham Band this weekend.

March

On tour the band has been playing a mixture of traditional brass band music, including items that showcase the band’s soloists, Norwegian music, and more upbeat and swing numbers.

The band has also performed its signature march, ‘Nidaros’, commissioned by the band from Paul Sharman.