Norwegian Student Choral Society

The Norwegian Student Choral Society (Norwegian: Den norske Studentersangforening) is a Norwegian male voice choir, founded in 1845 by Johan Diederich Behrens. It is the second oldest choir in Norway and the official choir of the University of Oslo.

Premiering a number of well known pieces, including Norway's national anthem "Ja, vi elsker dette landet", the choir is most commonly known for their yearly outdoor concert at University Square on 17 May, the Norwegian Constitution Day. The concert is broadcast live on NRK Radio.

The choirs' first official performance was at Henrik Wergeland's funeral.

Commonly referred to as "DnS" by members and friends, the choir holds regular concerts, both independently and in collaboration with other artists, choirs and orchestras.

As of 2016, the choir has around 60 active singers, who are conducted by Marit Tøndel Bodsberg.

It consists of the so-called "Concert Choir", containing the most active members, and a number of older members, with their own conductor, who go by the name "DnX".

DnS have competed in a number of international competitions. In the World Choir Games of 2006, in Xiamen, China, it won first place in the male voice choir category and third place in sacred choral music

Founder of The Norwegian Student Choral Society was Johan Diederich Behrens; and the "Johan Behrens Quartet", a male voice ensemble founded in 1843, formed the core of the first choir. The initial reason for the formation of the choir was a wish, in the summer of 1845, to participate at the Nordic student meeting in Lund and Copenhagen. The students contacted Behrens a short time before their departure to Copenhagen. Behrens, at first, declined to assist in the formation of choir due to the limited amount of time they had left to rehearse. He was eventually persuaded and accepted on the condition that he had the final word on which songs were rehearsed well enough for performance. On July 10, 1845, the society's laws were signed. However, Behrens, wanting to focus on his studies, did not wish to continue as conductor; and passed on the job to Halfdan Kjerulf.

1845 "Studentertog" to Copenhagen results in formation of DnS. The society is founded on 10 July 1845. (21 November is later officiated as jubilee day)

1849 "Aftenunderholdning" in Christiania Theater. "Brudefærden i Hardanger" performed for the first time. Johan D. Behrens takes over from Halfdan Kjerulf as conductor

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