The Conductor
Erland Dalen is the founder and conductor of Damenes Aften. He has had an active and well-known figure in the music and choir scene all his life. His commitment to choirs and singers in eastern Norway is huge, which among other things can be seen through his work as Choir Consultant for the Norwegian Choir Union. For many years, Erland has conducted choir singers, from young children to seniors, as well as composing and arranging music. In 2005 he released his book “It starts here at the top”, a practical book for choir singers and conductors. He has also released several CDs during the years, with (e.g.) Damenes Aften and the children’s choir Filiokus. Damenes Aften share Erland with Filiokus and Hedmarken Youth Choir, as well as Kongsvinger Mixed Choir.
Erland “makes things happen”, and is a big fan of working together with others. That’s why he started the Korvake (“choir wake”) in the Hamar Dome, which brings inspiration and joy to choir singers from the area for 24 hours every other year.
Erland has lead several choirs to victories in choir competitions all over Europe. On the shelves of his living room are honorary ornaments and memories from many trips, as well as glimmerings from gold, silver and bronze, won by Damenes Aften. Erland is married and has four children, and his family have all gotten to know this man’s commitment and energy. It’s good, then, that all the members of his family love music and culture, so that they can share Erland’s enthusiasm and be a resource for him in his work.
The ladies of Damenes Aften do not have voices that are alike. The choir consists of a mixture of different, exciting and strong voice qualities, with backgrounds from all kinds of different genres. Erland’s task is to “tame” the girls and their voices, and make them all fit perfectly together! Erland is an enormous source of good arrangements that suit us Ladies perfectly, which through his conducting and instructing contributes to high levels of diversity and musical quality. This is also beneficial for our audiences!
