Sølvguttene is a boy choir founded by Torstein Grythe in June, 1940. He would hold the position as conductor until 2006, when Fredrik Otterstad took over. The choir had its first rehearsals in his apartment in Oslo, but were soon offered to rehearse in Norwegian Broadcasting’s (NRK) facilities. The thought was that the choir would be permanently linked to NRK, and the first radio performance was held in December 1940. Conditions during the German occupation soon made it impossible to continue the cooperation with NRK, and the choir was for the remainder of the war years managed by the founder/conductor. Sølvguttene got its name primarily because of the shiny, silvery uniforms that were acquired in the beginning (for lack of other, more subtle materials). Later the name has been attributed to the special sound and clarity of boys voices, voices of silver.

Overview

Sølvguttene – Norwegian Broadcasting Boys’ Choir – comprises 65 boys aged 7 to 15, and 25 adult male singers, all of whom have previously been boy singers. Additionally, 25 boys aged 7–9 are training to be qualified for the concert choir. The choir will normally comprise around 60 singers on international tours.
The Choir has become an extremely popular institution in Norway with its many performances on radio and television, in addition to concerts all over the country. Especially the program "Sølvguttene synger julen inn", which is sent every Christmas Eve has been a major success. In addition, the choir has toured all over Europe and also USA and former Soviet Union on several occasions. The choir is known internationally because of its emphasis on sound more than technical perfection.
The choir has often been engaged to perform at official events, such as the closing ceremony of the Lillehammer Olympic Games and in the baptism of the Norwegian Crown Prince Ingrid Aleksandra.

Sølvguttene has been invited to and performed in some of the most spectacular churches and concerts halls in Europe, among them Westminster Abbey in London, St. Peter Church in Rome and Berliner Dom. They have also performed with internationally recognized musicians such as Kiri Te Kanawa

Kiri Te Kanawa

Dame Kiri Jeanette Te Kanawa, ONZ, DBE, AC is a New Zealand / Māori soprano who has had a highly successful international opera career since 1968. Acclaimed as one of the most beloved sopranos in both the United States and Britain she possesses a warm full lyric soprano voice, singing a wide array...

, Andrea Bocelli

Andrea Bocelli

Andrea Bocelli, is an Italian tenor, multi-instrumentalist and classical crossover artist. Born with poor eyesight, he became blind at the age of twelve following a soccer accident....

 and Ole Edvard Antonsen

Ole Edvard Antonsen

Ole Edvard Antonsen is a Norwegian trumpeter, musician and conductor.Antonsen was born in Vang, Hedmark, now part of Hamar. He is best known as a solo trumpeter, active in different genres of music; classical music, chamber music, baroque, jazz and pop. Since the mid 2000s, he has also been...

.

Reportoire

The choir has a varied repertoire, although the focus has been on classical church coral music. They also focus on traditional Norwegian folk music.

Discography (a selection)

1987: Julenatt

1989: Norge, mitt Norge

1990: Sølvguttene: 50 år

1995: Sølvguttene in Boda Kyrkja (live)

1996: Sølvguttene in Westminster Abbey (live)

1997: Kormusikk fra Norge i middelalder og renessanse samt fra vår tid

2000: Sølvguttene 60 år

2001: Sølvguttene synger julen inn

2006: Julemesse - missa in nativitate domini

2009: Desember Stemninger (with Ole Edvard Antonsen

Ole Edvard Antonsen

Ole Edvard Antonsen is a Norwegian trumpeter, musician and conductor.Antonsen was born in Vang, Hedmark, now part of Hamar. He is best known as a solo trumpeter, active in different genres of music; classical music, chamber music, baroque, jazz and pop. Since the mid 2000s, he has also been...

)

2010: Sølvguttene Live - Charpentier: Te Deum (live)

Different parts of the choir

Song School: Among 25 boys from 7 to 9 years old are taught how to sing and to read their music. This is the cornerstone of the choir's success.

Concert Choir: Consists of approximately 70 boys between 8 years old and voicechange, and 25 men.

Men's choir: Consists of about 25 former choirboys. As well as they play a major role in the concert choir, they perform at their own.

Youthgroup: "VoiceOver": During and after the voice-change, boys get the opportunity to sing in this choir to maintain their voice. They sing all genres, and has become popular entertainers. VoiceOver also function as a recruitment chor for the men's choir.

Soloist Group: A group of boys who represent the choir in smaller occasions such as weddings and funerals.

Soloists: Boys from the choir is often invited to play in operas such as Mozart's Magic Flute.