The Academic Choir Association (AKF) is the University of Oslo's official mixed choir, founded on September 10, 1930. Since 2004, the choir has been conducted by Gjermund Bjørklund. The members are primarily students, former students, and staff at the University of Oslo, but also singers without direct ties to the university. The choir currently has around 60 active members, aged 20 and above.
Our repertoire is diverse and ranges from large works for choir and orchestra to a cappella, folk music, songs, and madrigals. Among the major works we have performed are Bach's Magnificat, Mendelssohn's Elijah, Dvořák's Stabat Mater, and the Requiems of Mozart, Brahms, and Verdi.
The Academic Choir Association is an ambitious choir with a long history. We have performed across much of Norway and in several European countries, and have also participated in radio and TV productions. Our community is defined by musical passion and diversity, which makes being part of the choir a particularly rewarding experience.
Gjermund Bjørklund became the conductor of AKF in the spring of 2004. He is trained in choral conducting at the Norwegian Academy of Music, where he studied under Stefan Sköld and Grete Pedersen, as well as Simon Streatfield and Per Sigmund Thorp in orchestral conducting. With over 20 years of experience as a choir conductor, he has led several choirs and conducted a number of major works for choir and orchestra. Since 1985, Gjermund has been the organist at Skedsmo Church. He has served as a judge in national choral competitions, held seminars, and taught at the Norwegian Academy of Music. Additionally, he is a lecturer at Lillestrøm Secondary School.
Vaiva Mažulytė is a professional pianist with a master’s degree in solo performance from the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theater and a master’s degree in chamber music and accompaniment from the Norwegian Academy of Music. She has won several national and international competitions and continues to participate in various masterclasses. As an active member of the Norwegian music scene, she performs concerts and supports projects and competitions for singers and other musicians.
As the University of Oslo's official mixed choir, we have a close partnership with the university, participating in a variety of ceremonial events. These engagements are an important part of our identity and tradition, while also providing us with financial support that enables us to undertake our own major concert projects throughout the year.
