In Iceland you can find a group of adults, that meet once a week, with their cellos. The main purpose is to meet and play together. But what is also equally important is to meet up with friends and enjoy the world of music, together.

To learn more about this fascinating cello chamber orchestra I met up with the conductor, Kristín Lárusdóttir. Kristín is born and raised up in Iceland, at a very young age Kristín attended a local music school and the cello became her partner in music from day one. Kristín has now travelled together with her cello for more than 40 years. Kristin was educated as a cellist, musical teacher, conductor, and a composer. She has participated in numerous concerts, from baroque to jazz, improvision to electronic music, old Icelandic music to different forms of classical music. 

For some years Kristín has been one of the teachers at the Music school of Sigursveinn (Tónskóli Sigursveins), that is one of the bigger Music schools in Reykjavík, Iceland. When I asked Kristín how it all started with the Cello chamber orchestra RÚNA, she said: Since the Music school was founded, we have had a chamber orchestra for students. Some years ago, we were privileged with numerous very good cello students, in a way they were too many for the chamber orchestra since the balance was not right between instruments. At that point we decided to start a new chamber orchestra at the school, but only with cello students. As the years passed and our students graduated, and new enrolled, we got the feeling that our former students did want to keep a connection with us, the school, and the music. Not all music students have the aim to become a soloist or have their main carrier as a musician. One thing led to another and with great support from the schools’ directors we established the cello chamber orchestra RÚNA with former cello students as well as students that are in there final years at the Music school. 

I then asked Kristín about the name, RÚNA, where does that come from and Kristín replied: we are a cello chamber orchestra, but all orchestras need a double bass. Our double bass player’s name is Rúna, and since she is the only double bass player in the group, we of course named the orchestra after her.

The cello chamber orchestra has no special admission requirements, just that you have an access to a cello. However, it is recommended that you have a couple of years of training in your backpack, and to give some guidelines it is ideal if you have finished 4th grade out of the eight that are offered at Music schools in Iceland. All the music that the group play has different scores, so if someone does not feel up to play the first cello, it is easy to get a simpler score or adjusted as needed. 

Today the age gap in the group is from 15 years to 60 years old. Members of RÚNA come from all social levels with very different educational and careers background. It´s the music and cellos that combine them together where the main goal is to play together in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere and maintain the previous skills that each and one of the members has gained through the years, says Kristín. 

This school year has been extra busy at the Music school, since the school is celebrating it´s 60 years anniversary. The cello chamber orchestra RÚNA took an active part in the celebration. The school had a big concert at Harpa music hall in Reykjavik last April 14th, where about 600 students performed. And on next 5th of May RÚNA will have a solo concert at church Skálholt in South Iceland.

At the end I asked Kristín what it is that people are looking for by participating in the cello chamber orchestra RÚNA? Kristín was quick in answering the question. Music is everything! It is beneficial, rewarding, soothing, socially important, better quality of life, it is meaningful and empowering, unifying and the best mindfulness that you can get. Music unites.

Further information: 
Kristín would be very interested in getting in touch with other similar music groups in Europe, so if you are interested in getting more information or exchanging best practices, feel free to contact Kristín.

Program director: Kristín Lárusdóttir cellist and a composer, e-mail: sellostina@gmail.com, web-page: www.sellostina.com

Web-page of the Music school Sigursveinn: https://www.tonskolisigursveins.is/

Concert at church Skálholt, 5th of May!