History
About the Orchestra From 1987 the North Iceland Symphony Orchestra's predecessor, The Akureyri Chamber Orchestra, was active in the field of music in much the same way as the SN is today. Some concerts were held each winter under the direction of various conductors, mostly Roar Kvam. The musicians were the teachers and students at the Akureyri Music School along with supporting members who were brought in when necessity demanded a larger orchestra. These musicians were mostly people born in Akureyri who had moved to other parts of the country, or individuals who had some other connection with Akureyri. The mainstay of the orchestra was the Society of Music Enthusiasts who formed the committee and helped out with the actual presentation of the concerts. This work was undertaken entirely voluntarily. The orchestra also received some financial support from the Akureyri Municipal Council.
When the chamber orchestra began to prove itself an important asset to the musical life of Akureyri, work began to find ways to lend it even more support, e.g. by applying for grants from the Icelandic State. The Society of Music Enthusiasts was disbanded and the Akureyri Music Society was called upon to nominate 3 members to sit on the orchestra's board of directors; two members were chosen from the resident musicians and one from the Akureyri Municipal Cultural Committee. In the autumn of 2002 the organisational register was amended so that now the Akureyri Municipal Cultural Committee chooses the representatives which the Akureyri Music Society chose before the new rules took effect. The name of the orchestra was changed to The North Iceland Symphony Orchestra and this was formally registered in the autumn of 1993. The orchestra held its first concert under this new title on 24 October that same year; the conductor was Guð;mundur Óli Gunnarsson who has been resident conductor from that time. Since then the orchestra has put on four to five concerts every year and has performed all kinds of classical music from baroque to contemporary works. Concerts have been held all over the North of Iceland although the orchestra's home ground and main venue is Akureyri.
Operational Capital
The orchestra receives financial support from Akureyri Municipality and from the Icelandic state according to a contract drawn up between these parties, and this has increased substantially over the past few years.
School Concerts
Regular school concerts have become a fixed point in the orchestra's schedule. These first came on the scene a few years ago when a small orchestra visited schools in Akureyri and the surrounding countryside with a special programme aimed at the young audience. The children were introduced to the music, the musicians and a variety of musical instruments, besides being allowed to take part in the performance. This was so popular that the concerts have continued to be an important item on the orchestra's annual programme.
Contract between the SN and FÍH(The Society of Icelandic Musicians) In the autumn of 2005 a contract was signed between the SN and FÍH regarding the rights and salaries of the SN musicians.
Joint Ventures The SN has throughout the years engaged in joint ventures with a variety of parties concerning the performance of classical music; The Mývatn Choral Festival and the participation of the orchestra in the Ecclesiastical Art Week in Akureyri Church.
Declaration of Intent In September 2005 a declaration of intent was signed by the SN and the Ecclesiastical and Cultural Centre in Eskifjörður. The document declared the intention of both parties to cooperate in the performance of music, thus providing the inhabitants of both east and north Iceland with an added opportunity to demonstrate and utilise their artistic and creative skills. One such cooperative effort a year is planned.