Strunkeveko

For the past five days, we have been staying at Strunkeveko,a camp for ages 11-20, where kids can take classes in folk music and dance. It started with a teachers' concert, and during that we got to see all the different instruments available at camp.  These include hardingfele, regular fiddle, langeleik (an istrument in the zither family a little like a dulcimer), accordion, and torader (a small accordion with only two rows of buttons). After dinner, we all danced for a bit (as you saw in the last post) and eventually migrated back to our rooms. That was about it for Day 1.

The next morning we were loudly awakened by bagpipes on a very large speaker. We got up to try to find breakfast which was slightly hard because the whole schedule was in Norwegian. We asked the people at the front desk who was very sweet and translated the whole week's schedule for us. After a very tasty first breakfast, we went to our first group lessons. We had all signed up for hardingfele classes, so that’s the class we went to. Turns out that the two hardingfele classes were easy and hard, no intermediate. Sorry to say we don’t compare with 20-year-olds, so we were put in easy. The tunes were simple but sweet and there was a good variety of tunes. Then it was lunchtime, and more lessons after, including one on one lessons with our teacher, followed by dinner and lots of dancing. Most days followed this schedule.

In samspel class
(Maren's photo)

On Tuesday, when we walked into class, we had some interesting news: Maren had been moved to a different class! She had been moved to the ensemble class or samspel. We all thought we were going, but it was just Maren. Apparently, there was only one spot. She ended up loving the class, and it turned out to be the best difficulty and speed to challenge her, but not make her regret her decision to switch, yay! In the class, there was a mix of hardingfele and violin, plus a flute and accordion!

The soccer game
(Maren's photo)

The next day was pretty much the same, but there was a random soccer game that we attended for about 30 seconds. (Apparently, we could have won an award for cheering the loudest, oh well).

Maren gives Lilah a piggyback
(Itsani's photo)

This day lunch was outside, unfortunately, Lilah had forgotten her shoes, though we are not sure how, so when it started raining this was our solution.

On Wednesday we had a sjokolade kappleik. This was where we competed for chocolates. They told us when it was time to tune by pounding on our door with cowbells… that was fun! After that, there was dancing and snacks. We went to bed pretty early because we were tired after all that chocolate.

The next day was Thursday, our last full day at camp. Same basic schedule, but that day was lake day. After lessons and lunch, we got in our group and went on a short walk to the lake. Along the way, we had to find little notecards with trivia questions about folk culture in them. We ended up leaving early from the lake because we had to get ready to record for NRK, NATIONAL RADIO!!! We were all excited, but of course a little nervous. We met up with Sue and Martha and hopped on the Zoom call. We played a few tunes and answered questions about the trip and our playing. The broadcast will be on Folkemusikktimen, the longest-running show on the radio at 90 plus years! We don't know when yet, but stay tuned! (nice pun, don't you think?)

Martha and Sue left, and we went back to our daily activities. Because this was our last night there was a small party where some awards were given out, the prize being chocolate. We didn’t understand what they were saying because sadly none of us won anything. Then off to bed.

Maren's group playing Springar fra Bjerkreim etter Ivar Fuglestad
(Sue's photo)

Friday morning was a little hectic but we all made it on the bus and to the concert in Fagernes. Each class played a tune or did a dance they learned during the week of camp. Maren was in the purple group, they played last. The teacher for ensemble was Vegar Vårdal. 

Lilah and Itsani's group playing Springar fra Sollund
(Sue's photo)

Itsani and Lilah were in the green group, and played in the middle of the show. Our teacher was Johanne Loksengård Mjos. She is on the right. 

At the end of the concert, Maren competed in the Jørn Hilme Stemme kappleik, in the junior division. That means she had to play two tunes, solo, in front of a panel of five judges. Kids up to age 17 could compete, on any instrument or they could dance or sing. Martha was in the wings while Maren was playing and was shaking because she was nervous, but Maren was rock solid. She played really well (of course!) and got a short barbecue stick for participating.  We don't know yet how she placed because the results won't come out until tomorrow. 

Maren playing at kappleik
(Sue's photo)

After that we went to check into our hotel with slight difficulty… but all was figured out eventually we all slept hard. When we woke up we were off to Røros!

- Itsani, Lilah, Maren