Vivianne Sydnes

Photo: Charlotte Wiig

Vivianne Sydnes is Vice Rector for Education and Professor of Choral Conducting at the Norwegian Academy of Music (NMH).

The Rectorate is responsible for NMH’s academic and strategic leadership. As Vice Rector for Education, Vivianne has particular responsibility for leading and following up on all teaching-related activities.

Vivianne has worked at NMH since 2011, first as Associate Professor and later as Professor of Choral Conducting. She teaches in both the Master’s and Bachelor’s programmes in choral conducting and has also taught ensemble conducting in various contexts, including for church music students.

"I am committed to helping students find their own identity as conductors and to giving them tools to discover and develop gestures and musicality that suit their personality and ambitions."

Since 2015, Vivianne has also served as conductor and artistic director of Oslo Cathedral Choir through her position as Cathedral Choir Master at Oslo Cathedral. During her term as Vice Rector, she is on leave from this position. At Oslo Cathedral, Vivianne has a wide-ranging musical role that includes both liturgical music and concert activities. Her repertoire spans from Renaissance motets and major Baroque oratorios to mass settings and contemporary works. She has led numerous premieres by composers such as Ståle Kleiberg, Lasse Thoresen, Torbjørn Dyrud, Andrew Smith, Joanna Bailie, and Gisle Kverndokk, and collaborated with leading international soloists and many of Norway’s professional orchestras.

Vivianne has previously served as Cathedral Organist at Nidaros Cathedral and as conductor of the chamber choir NOVA and the Norwegian Youth Choir. She also undertakes conducting and teaching engagements in Norway and across Europe, including at choral festivals, music conservatories, and with the Norwegian Soloists’ Choir.

Vivianne has created her own website with instructional videos and teaching materials for beginner conductors (vivianne.no)

Education

• 2000–2002: Royal College of Music, Stockholm – Diploma in Choral Conducting (Prof. Anders Eby and Prof. Stefan Parkman)
• 1995–2000: Norwegian Academy of Music – Church Music, Candidate Programme
• 1996: University of Oslo – Ex. Phil and Intermediate Christianity

Courses

• 2026: Dean School, UHR
• 2011–2012: Norwegian Academy of Music – Basic Course in Higher Education Pedagogy

Awards

• 2024: Oslo City Cultural Award (with Oslo Cathedral Choir)
• 2014: Grammy nomination for Best Choral Recording (Out of Darkness, Torbjørn Dyrud)

Discography

• 2023: Klinge skal et jubelkor – Christmas music with all choirs and organists at Oslo Cathedral (LAWO)
• 2022: Salmenes bok by Nils Henrik Asheim – Oslo Cathedral Choir, Asheim, Kåre Nordstoga (LAWO)
• 2021: Markuspasjon by Trond Kverno – Video production (Oslo Cathedral Choir, Millimedia AS)
• 2018: Sæle – Hymn album with Oslo Cathedral Choir, Kåre Nordstoga, and Tord Gustavsen (KKV)
• 2017: Et nox in diem versa – Oslo Cathedral Choir featured on Kjell Habbestad’s choral work (LAWO)
• 2015: Witch Mass – Chamber Choir NOVA featured on Martin Romberg’s music (LAWO)
• 2013: Out of Darkness by Torbjørn Dyrud – Nidaros Cathedral Choir and others (2L, Morten Lindberg)
• 2010: Nidaros – Nidaros Cathedral Choir (2L, Morten Lindberg)
• 1999: Spor av himmel, smak av jord… – Nordstrand Church Choir (GRAPPA)

Links

• See publications in Cristin.
• See publications in Norsk Vitenarkiv.
• Vivianne Sydnes on Facebook.
• Vivianne Sydnes on Instagram.
• Vivianne Sydnes on LinkedIn.