CURRICULUM VITAE
Kristin Skaare
Composer/Musician/Arranger/Producer/Artist
Piano, Accordion, Various Keyboards, Zither, Mandolinette, Indian harmonium, Vocals, Guitar etc.
Positions of trust and honorary activities
Head of the Expert Council, NOPA 2006 - 2008 (Sakkyndig Råd)
Head of the Scholarship Committee, NOPA 2014 - 2017 (Kardemommestipendkomiteen)
Board member of the Artists' Association Scholarship Committee 2016 - 2022 (Kunstnerforeningens Stipendkomite)
Deputy member of the Artists' Association Board 2020 - 2022 (Kunstnerforeningen)
Board member of the Nomination Committee, NOPA 2020 - 2022
Subject Committee, Fund for Sound and Vision 2001 - 2006 (Fond for Lyd og Bilde)
Board member, Expert Council 2004 - 2006 (Sakkyndig Råd)
Board member, Norwegian Composers' Fund 2002 - 2006 (Norsk Komponistfond)
Expert committee, Government Scholarship for musicians 2002 - 2004 (Statens stipend)
Deputy member, Nomination Committee, NOPA 2018 - 2020
Deputy Representative, The Composers´ fund 2001- 2002 (Komponistenes Vederlagsfond)
Deputy Representative, Expert Council, NOPA 2002 - 2004 (Sakkyndig råd)
Deputy Representativ The Composers´ fund 2002 - 2004 (Komponistenes Vederlagsfond)
Awards
Norwegian newspaper VG´s Musician´s Prize (VG's Musikerpris)
Fund for Performing Artists´ Prize for Studio musician (Fond for Utøvende Kunstneres Rolf Gammleng-pris)
Award from The Norwegian Society of Composers and Lyricists (Kardemommestipendet, NOPA)
Stipend from the Artists' Association (Blomstipend, Kunstnerforeningen)
Awards (with Skaare's compositions part of multimedia projects):
2016
Bronze in BELMA (Best European Learning Material Awards) for Sirkushagen
2013
Innovation of the Year in Gullboken, Norwegian Publishers´ Association
2011
Gold in BELMA (Best European School Book Awards) for «Salaby 1-4»
2010
Gold in BELMA (Best European School Book Awards) for «Musikkskogen»
Short film awards (with Skaare as film composer):
Best Documentary 2022 ARFF Amsterdam International Awards
Best Short Documentary FILMHAUS Berlin 2021
Winner of Globe Awards 2022 ARFF Amsterdam International Awards
Audience Award London International Short Film Festival 2021
Scholarships/Grants
The Norwegian State´s artists´ grant (Statens Kunstnerstipend)
Norwegian Composers' Fund (Komponistenes Vederlagsfondet)
Fund for Sound and Vision (Fond for lyd og bilde)
Oslo Municipality (Oslo kommune)
Current Projects
New album under development. TBA
Co producer recording: Eline Monrad Vistven
Participating musicians:
Nils Økland - fiddle
Mats Eilertsen - double bass
Rune Arnesen - drums
Own compositions
Recording in Rainbow Studios, Oslo.
Sound engineer: Martin Abrahamsen
Project: KILDE - music meditation
Skaare is the creator and manager of the project which she started in Oslo Cathedral in 2016; receives funding from the Cultural Council, the Fund for Performing Artists, and the City of Oslo.
There is no spoken guidance, and separate compositions have been written especially for the project. The project is free and open to everyone. The audience may bring a mat and blanket and lie down, - rest, meditate and experience the church room and the music.
The project is well attended by many ethnicities and different age groups. A Quest Back survey arranged by Kirkerådet (The church of Norway National Council) showed overwhelmingly positive response.
Commissioned work LYSNE - work in progress
Spring concert in Asker church.
Supported by the Norwegian Composers' Fund (Norsk Komponistfond).
Participating musicians:
Ingvild Køhn Malmbekk
Kristin Skaare
Composer for award-winning short film: «Do you remember your mothers hands»
Barbra Laurré
Director, script, idea
Eline Monrad Vistven
Bass clarinet, vocals, glass
Kristin Skaare
Grand Piano, vocals
Vidar Lunden, Musikkloftet A/S
Sound music
Sound design
Liana Degtiar
Sound design
Selected Projects
2013 - 2020
Received the award "Kardemommestipendet 2013 " from NOPA (Norwegian Society of Composers and Lyricists) as a composer.
Jury statement:
“Half of this year's grant* goes to a composer who since 1987 has shown herself primarily as a brilliant musical arranger and performer, and who progressively stands out as a notable composer as well. Among her 265 works registered in TONO there are thoroughly composed works in large format - such as the commissioned work for Vossajazz 2013; several solo albums with her own compositions; music for a number of theater performances; and a significant number of pieces and songs for Salaby.no - Gyldendal's award-winning web portal for children.
This year's “Kardemomme” composer writes in a low voice, but directly. Heartfelt, but quite cheeky. Beautiful - but never pretty.”
*The award is divided between music and lyrics: - in 2013 awarded Don Martin for lyrics.
Commissioned work: Desert Songs for Javid Afsari Rad Ensemble
(Duration 40 min) Premiere September 25, 2019 at the Nordic Black Theatre & Cafeteatret, Oslo. New concert during the NonStop Festival in Moss.
Film production by Odd Geir Sæther and Sarah Thus. Watch the video here.
Participating musicians:
Santur
Violin
Sara Övinge
Violin
Bendik Foss
Viola
Tove Margrethe Erikstad
Cello
Adrian Fiskum Myhr
Double bass
Kristin Skaare
Grand piano
Commissioned work "SEVJE" – electroacoustic work (duration 40 min)
Premiere at Østre Aker church 30. May 2018 during festival “Kultur i katedralen”.
Participants:
double bass, electric bass, fender six, ac / electric guitar, pedal bass, vocals
drums/perk, saw, vocals etc.
Kristin Skaare
grand piano, Indian harmonium, accordion, mandolinette / zither, vocals
Kai Løland
programming
Festival artist during Hardanger Music Festival
5-10 June 2019, with her own works, including the music premiere written for the portrait of author Maria Tryti Vennerød; musical collaboration with Eir Inderhaug, Tora Augestad, Mats Eilertsen, Nils Økland, Håkon Stene and others.
Gull og gråstein
Performance with Øystein Røger, Andreas Amundsen, Fristedet, April 3, 2019
Concerts with Kristin Skaare Trio
Tour in Troms in the spring of 2019.
Kristin Skaare Trio is a continuation of Kristin Skaare Ensemble (commissioned work during Vossajazz 2013).
Meditation concerts with Kristin Skaare Trio
The audience may bring a mat and blanket and experience the concert lying down; Son Church, May 5, 2019, in collaboration with a yoga event. The music is composed especially for the meditation concert.
Extensive touring activities with Kristin Skaare Trio, Ola Bremnes, Knut Erik Sundquist, Ensemble Noor, Vokal Nord, Lars Bremnes, among others.
"Kirker i kriker og kroker" - duo concerts in rural areas with Knut Erik Sundquist (double bass). 2014 - 2019
Old melodies, folk tunes and lullabies retrieved from the archives and performed in their place of origin. Concerts held in assembly houses and small churches by the sea.
Commissioned work: «ER» at Vossajazz 2013 Kristin Skaare Ensemble, matinee concert on Sunday in a sold-out cultural center.
Crew:
Vocals
Guitar
Drums / Percussion
Viola
Violin
Double bass
Kristin Skaare
Grand piano, etc.
Einar Ytrelid
Sound
Album: "ER" (Kirkelig Kulturverksted)
Medvirkende:
Commissioned work for a multimedia performance (music/text/photo/video) at a Gala performance in Harstad Kulturhus
«De tusen gleders by»
Duration 20 min. September 2014.
Additional participant:
Trym Ivar Bergsmo (bilder/film)
Commissioned works for Koster Skulpturpark the project "Jorden vi ärvde".
Musicians: Torbjørn Økland, Birger Mistereggen, Benedicte Elisabeth Torget and Kristin Skaare.
Performance in the summer of 2017. Duration 20 min.
Composed all music for several Christmas calendars for Salaby.no (Gyldendal´s web portal for children) which is followed by more than 300,000 children. For example, 75 minutes of music for «Reisen til Amerika»
In addition several short commissioned works for Salaby.no: animated films, songs (music and lyrics) - resulting in several awards: Bronze in BELMA 2016 (Best European School Book Awards) for Sirkushagen; “Innovation of the Year 2013” in “Gullboken” Norwegian Publishers´ Association.
Contributed in establishing the website “Skolen fra Cappelen Damm” (more than 300,000 regulars users) delivering new songs (music and lyrics) for school-age children addressing sustainability, falling in love, curiosity and play; as well as arrangements of well-known oldies.
Selected Projects
2006 - 2012
Extensive touring activities and studio recordings with own projects and collaborative projects. New composition - both commissioned works and own projects.
Instrumental album: "VAR"
Skaare´s own compositions in encounters with well-known hymns.
Created one summer, while Skaare was seeking silence in “Jakob cultural church” in Oslo.
Produced by Kristin Skaare and Jan Erik Kongshaug † (deceased).
Participating musicians:
Jon Christensen † (deceased)
Duo with Kari Bremnes in Slottskapellet (the Norwegian Palace Chapel) during the baptism of H.R.H. Prince Sverre Magnus - March 4, 2006, live TV broadcast.
Several short commissioned works for Salaby.no (Gyldendal Publishing house´s website for children, used in elementary schools), including short films, animated films, songs (music and lyrics), resulting in various awards: go to awards.
Musical director of the theatre concert "KOM" - based on the songs and plays by Swedish actor Allan Edwall – under the direction of Nationaltheatret (the National Theater in Oslo) and POS Company.
The performance received excellent reviews and was sold out for months, home and abroad.
Review in “Aftenposten” by Mona Levin: “Phenomenal arrangements… exquisitely thought out and performed”.
Cast:
Øystein Røger (actor)
Per Olav Sørensen (director)
Geir Sundstøl (musician)
Erland Dahlen (musician)
Arranger and musician for Anne Grete Preus band, on a record release in November 2007. Extensive tour: Molde jazz festival, Stavern, Rosendal, Oslo concert hall, various television appearances on NRK, TV2 etc.
“Kirker i kriker og kroker” - duo concerts in rural areas with Knut Erik Sundquist (double bass). Old melodies, folk tunes and lullabies performed in their place of origin, in small churches by the sea.
Musical director and composer for the performance "NÅ" with poems by Hans Børli,
with actor Anne Marit Jacobsen and folk singer Åsne Valland Nordli. Premiere at the festival “Stiklestad dagene” summer 2007; festival “Hans Børli dagene” 2007, and at Nationaltheatret (the National Theater in Oslo) spring 2008.
Arranger and musician in Lisa Dillan Quite Quiet Project (Elvis songs in new arrangements) with legends James Burton (Elvis Presley´s regular conductor and leader of TCB band), TCB band members Paul Leim and Norbert Putnam and Asbjørn Lerheim (Norge)
Composer, actor and musician at the multimedia performance "Spegling" - commissioned work celebrating the 100th anniversary of Norwegian poet Halldis Moren Vesaas.
The performance is based on Moren Vesaas' lesser-known love poems. “Telemark Arbeiderblad“ gave it 5 out of 6, calling it a "terrific performance".
Participants:
Marius Kleppe Kolstad
Actor
Gunleik Groven
Sound and image producer
Director
Teater Ibsens
Technical staff
Church concerts in collaboration with Jorunn Torsheim, Annbjørg Lien, Sondre Bratland, Pål Bråtelund.
Producer for Geirr Tveitt project, recording and release of album “Fodne ho svara stilt” under the direction of music label Grappa Musikkforlag, spring 2008.
Participants:
Kristin Skaare
Sound: Audun Strype
Tour - performance "Sidespranget” - with Marit Adeleide Andreassen and Lars Bremnes - jan-mars 2006.
Commissioned work for “Josefine song club” - performance with her own band, music and lyrics, November 2006.
Musician in the performance "Jeg hater måker" by Odd Børresen, under the direction of Teater Ibsen in the autumn of 2006.
Participated in the musical “Saltholmen” by Odd Børresen and Margaret Skjelbred, during the Vestfold Festival.
Music by Olaf Kamfjord and Jon Røssland.
Cast: Tora Augestad, Terje Johannessen, Thomas Bye.
Director: Inger Buresund
Selected Projects
1996 - 2005
Since 1996 Kristin Skaare has worked with performances, putting music alongside text; as a script write, producer and composer, as well as establishing several of her own projects:
Composer, artist, musician and producer of album: AMORAROMA (Kirkelig kulturverksted 1999), based on love poems by the Norwegian poet Inger Hagerup.
Contributors:
Michael Blair (known from collaboration with Tom Waits)
Anders Engen
Abdul Rahman Surizehi
Composer, creator and actor: ”Mellom dynetrekk og lakenskrekk – om en skummel drøm.”
A multimedia musical performance for children. Commissioned work for Rikskonsertene. Rikskonsertene generously funded this costly and very popular production which sold out all through 1998-2000, and was seen by 80,000 children.
Kristin Skaare and her two co-technicians created a combined concert/theater/performance through improvisation using technical equipment, surround PA-system, lighting and scenography. The performance tells the story of 9-year-old Else, who is afraid of going to sleep. Drawn into a nightmare, she must confront her biggest fear in order to find herself. Her emotional journey, moving through fun, scary, weird, surreal and everyday moods, made the audience of kids howl with joy and tremble with excitement and horror.
Director: Ingrid Forthun og Ole-Kristian Thomassen
Script/idea/music/leading actor: K. Skaare
Recording/pre-production: I samarbeid med Reidar Skår
Creative technicians: Rasmus Eide/Henrikke Helland og Ole-Kristian Thomassen
In addition to her own projects, Skaare continues to collaborate with various artists and partners: Ola Bremnes has been a key partner for many years; Skaare and Bremnes have long celebrated their "silver anniversary" as colleagues and has recorded a number of full-length albums, several shorter recordings, radio programs, a bunch of concerts in churches and cultural centers, theatre projects, duo-, trio concerts and with a full band. Several TV programs; collaboration with Knut Erik Sundquist, Karl Erik Harr and many others.
Participated, among other soloists, in the opening concert of the music festival "Verden i Norden" Oslo Konserthus, 1997; commissioned work by Indian composer Dr. L. Subramaniam - with Arve Tellefsen, Kringkastingsorkesteret, Madras Percussion Ensemble.
Conductor: Christian Eggen.
Tour and concert during Olavsfestdagene in Trondheim 1998.
Additional participants: Javid Afsari Rad, Abdul Rahman Surizehi, Solo Gissoko, Sinikka Langeland.
Part of the commissioned work: ”TYA – frå bor til bytes” - Kjartan Fløgstad.
Music and lyrics by Reidar Skår and Karl Seglem. Concerts, CD-recording and performance in Grieghallen during the Edvardprisen awards in 1998, where it was awarded best in category.
Participants: Audun Erlien, Anders Engen, Terje Isungset, Elin Rosseland, Nils Einar Vinjor, Per Hillestad, Reidar Skår, Karl Seglem.
Collaboration with guitarist Tom Steinar Lund for the anniversary of songwriter Vidar Sandbeck. Participated in various festivals in the summers of 2003/04: Festspillene in Elverum, Visefestival på Skåtøy, Josefine Viseklubb.
Participants: Jørn Simen Øverli, Kaja Huse, Geir Lystrup, Anne Marie Giørtz, Camilla Susann Haug among others.
Contributed in the movie "Himmelfall” playing various instruments, premiere October 2002.
Composer: Reidar Skår.
Other contributors: Kristoffer Joner, Maria Bonnevie et.al.
Conductor of the performance "Hildegunn - my story". Dizzie Showteater, summer 2000 and subsq. years.
Participants: Fredrik Steen, Ørjan Liavåg, Ragnvald Åheim and Erland Dahlen.
Director: Yngve Sundvor
Participated in the multicultural concert series "KangDingSangKlang" - with Chinese musicians Zhulian Zhang – pipa, and Huilin Zhou - violin and arho. Under the auspices of Rikskonsertene.
Guest musician with Young Neils at Rockefeller, December 2003. Young Neils are: Lars Lillo Stenberg, Jørn Christensen, Palle Krüger, Per Vestaby, Live Maria Roggen, Line Rockert, Geir Sundstøl.
Conductor – Christmas tour with Herborg Kråkevik.
Other participants: Helen Davies – harp, Gjermund Silseth – double base.
Collaboration and tour with Maj Britt Andersen, in connection with the CD "Dørstokken heme", Rikskonsertene, spring 2005.
Other contributors: Gjermund Larsen - fiddle.
Composed music for performance with saxophonist Eline Monrad Vistven and Mats Rehmann - one of Scandinavia's most prominent storytellers - at Det Åpne Teater, during the storytelling festival 2005.
Church concerts with saxophonist Eline Monrad Vistven.
Participated in a music performance-project for primary school with Camilla Susann Haug, with contemporary music written for Alf Prøysen's lyrics. (Under Rikskonsertene).
Participated in concerts - poet Rolf Jacobsen-tribute: "En dag skal komme som en rose” with Bjørn Floberg and Geir Løvold.
Duo project with concerts: “Meditaroma” - in collaboration with tuba player Geir Løvold.
Soloist, and conductor of a major band during Festival Performance in Harstad Kulturhus, April 18, 2005. Works by Ola Bremnes performed by: Halvdan Sivertsen, Tove Karoline Knutsen, Karl Erik Harr, Knut Erik Sundquist, Sudanese Safia, the choir Vox Arctica, the soprano Marianne B Kielland, Kari and Lars Bremnes, in a sold out culture house.
Selected Projects
1990 - 1995
Permanent arranger and conductor for Kari Bremnes, in duo, trio and band format.
Additional crew: Børge Petersen-Øverleir, Nils Einar Vinjor, Finn Sletten, Bjørn Jenssen, Stan Poplin, (Asle Karstad, Sven Persson, sound)
Extensive tour with concerts domestically and internationally; participated in numerous festivals: Moldejazz, Kongsbergjazz, Nattjazz, Mai-jazz, Vossajazz.
Musical leader for multicultural projects including Ecuadorian artist Susana Pena. Indigenous musicians from the Andes joined Norwegian and American musicians for a CD recording in Quito, 1994 (Kirkelig Kulturverksted)
Musically in charge of the performance “ Er du til eller fra?” under “Intimteatret”, based on material by Danish author Benny Andersson.
Other contributors:
Arne Thomas Olsen
Astrid Follestad
Morten Røhrt
Director: Gerhard Knoop
Participated in the performance "Bak hundrede mile" based on the poems by Knut Hamsun by Ole H. Bremnes (script), Kari, Ola and Lars Bremnes (music). Performed at the festivals Festspillene I Nord Norge in 1993, Mai-jazz and in Rosendal 1994.
Other contributors include:
Kari, Ola og Lars Bremnes
Reidar Sørensen
Marit Andreassen
Olaf Kamfjord
Finn Sletten
Terje Johannesen
Director: Catrine Telle
Participated in "Messe for en såret jord" by Ketil Bjørnstad and Erik Hillestad.
Other contributors:
Randi Stene
Lars Anders Tomter
Paolo Vinaccia
Nils Einar Vinjor
Stan Poplin
Conductor: Grete (Helgerød) Pedersen
Arranger/musician on the recording of the album "Ord fra en fjord" released in 1992.
Lars Bremnes, Ola Bremnes (music), Kari Bremnes.
Lyrics by Ole H Bremnes.
Other contributors:
Georg Buljo
Finn Sletten
Tov Ramstad
Part of forming Kari Bremnes´ band, establishing the "sound", and recording of the album "Spor".
(Conductor, arranger).
Other contributors:
Nils Einar Vinjor
Finn Sletten
Miki n´Doye
Stan Poplin
Jon Eeg-Henriksen
Producer: Erik Hillestad
Participated in the band of Rick Danko / Jonas Fjeld / Eric Andersen:
Other contributors: Knut Reiersrud, Hallvard T. Bjørgum, Rune Andersen, Asle Karstad.
Recording of several albums, and various concerts, including: Nattkonsert, Idrettens hus, Moldejazz -91 and NRK TV. Several album releases with the same band.
Created a program series: "Kjerringrock" for Rikskonsertene in collaboration with Kristin Berglund - about women on the "production side" of the music industry: composers, instrumentalists, producers, arrangers - from classical composers to artists such as Susanne Vega, Bonnie Raitt, Joni Mitchell, Memphis Minnie et.al. The program was a great success seen by nearly 40,000 schoolchildren during 1990-93, - well assisted by the revival of roots music during the same period.
Selected Projects
1987 - 1991
Permanent musician at the hub "Smuget" in Oslo; incl. collaboration with Elisabeth Moberg, Tine Asmundsen and Audun Erlien.
Worked for the Department of Musicology teaching playing by ear, University of Oslo, 1988-91
Education
Department of Musicology, University of Oslo: Norway's first female instrumentalist to study jazz / improv. Graduated 1987 majoring in Musicology. Had started a post graduate degree when the career as a performer took over.