Founder and Conductor: Bengt Ollén

Sofia Vokalensemble was formed in 1995 by Bengt Ollén. The choir’s performances are characterized by a warm, lyrical Swedish choral sound and a stage presence that has gone a long way in international competitions. Home ground is Sofia Church in Stockholm where the choir rehearses and performs several concerts each year. Many of which are recorded by Swedish Radio. Productions include everything from premiering contemporary music to larger orchestral productions and traditional Christmas concerts. Swedish choral music and music by Sven-David Sandström, Francis Poulenc, Arvo Pärt and Alfred Schnittke often appear in the repertoire. In addition to the choir’s concerts at home, album recordings and trips are recurring activities. Both within Sweden and internationally. The choir enjoy spreading the Swedish choral tradition and taking part in the musical heritage of other cultures. Some milestones for the choir recently have been touring Japan (2019), participation in Swedish Music Year (festival for Swedish art music in 2018) and the WSCM in South Korea (2014). The choir was also the winner of the European Grand Prix for Choral Singing (2012). The choir displays a great love for the music it performs, and the work is not only characteri- sed by a high musical ambition and an intense interaction with the conductor: the heart is always there, regardless be it at rehearsals, at airports, at parties or behind the scenes before a competition. The love for conveying music is always at the heart of every performance.