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We asked President of ECWO, Berit Handegard:

“How has lockdown been for you in Norway?”

Here’s her response; thank you Berit!

When the message reached the public March 12th that the country
was facing a shutdown, most of the bands stopped their activities.

However, after a short while they started to play music again, in
small groups of max 5 with social distance, or they organised
digital rehearsals to play and stay in contact.

Berit Handegard
A main task for the Norwegian Band Federation (NMF) was
to start the work together with other music organisations to
make protocols for the bands who needed guidelines.
The challenge was rehearsal rooms. The schools and cultural
centres were all closed. Some managed to keep their
activities going one way or another.

NMF started a channel for online workshops for conductors
and band secretaries. 300 conductors joined in for inspiration,
new knowledge, discuss music and how to organise rehearsals
during corona times. The main task was to keep up the spirit
and create activity.

The restrictions were fewer during the springtime and within summer time most of the bands could meet and play together
in smaller or larger groups, depending on location available. The creativity was overwhelming when it came to streaming
projects, a lot of films popped up on the internet.

17th of May is Norway’s constitution day and the day when the bands are the main attraction
in the celebration. In parades, concerts and local events. This year it was different, all public
events and parades were cancelled, first time since 1945. But the bands got permission to
parade and have smaller events in their local communities. As long as they did not announce
this in public. The goal was to not gather an audience. Strange situation.

NMF have cancelled all events in 2020 and the spring 2021. No championships and the summer schools
were replaced by day courses. No accommodations or joint meals where allowed. Social distancing was the
main rule. It worked, a lot of young people met and played together. In August the conductors week in
Stavanger went ahead, but on a smaller scale than previously.
NMF invited member bands to a video contest called VIVO! More than 100 bands produced all kind of entertaining films for the
Internet. We could spot a good spirit. They also produced these films to attract new members.

By August 2020 most of the bands were back to normal as long as they have rehearsal facilities allowing social distancing. Also
concerts are allowed with a limited audience of 200. Streaming is still a popular way of meeting the audience and some of the
concerts reach many more people than the ever thought was possible.

NMF developed a pedagogic project called ImPulse to keep activities going. This can be used both online and in real life.
Norway is not hit as hard as many other countries, but there are still outbreaks, keeping everyone on their toes.

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