Avocale - Salmer og viser på vår måte (2020)

Singing in choir brings people together. Marie and Lars Christian Kvalbein-Olsen found the tone in an Acapella ensemble in Oslo - it ended with love and marriage. When their study time was over, they moved from Oslo to Arendal. There they missed singing in a vocal group. In the fall of 2010, therefore, they met some happy friends in Arendal Frikirke, and this was the start of Avocale. The group consists of Marie Kvalbein-Olsen and Margareth Tønnesen on soprano, Vigdis Guttormsen and Julie Munk Nissen (not included) on everything, Lars Christian Kvalbein-Olsen on tenor, Søren Nielsen and Erik Laukvik on bass.

 The name Avocale can be read as an abbreviation for the Arendal Vocal Ensemble. Also, "A vocale" means to vocalize in Italian - which fits well.

The group sings a mixed repertoire of rhythmic and exciting harmonized songs, with only the voices as an instrument. They have performed songs from eg. Real Group, Take 6, and Pentatonix. Lars Christian is the group's musical leader. He has written beautiful and unique arrangements for several famous hymns and shows. In the fall of 2019, the time was ripe for a studio, with 12 of his events. With the help of the music entrepreneurs, they recorded the album "Hymns and shows - our way". They hope the album can help discover old song treasures in a new way.

The album was recorded in Kongshavn Studio by Roald Råsberg. Jon Kleveland is the project's producer.

As several of the members are still busy toddler parents, the opportunities for frequent appearances are limited. Nevertheless, Avocale has sung on everything from worship services, concerts and birthday parties, to book launches, summer festivals and cafés. The exercises take place mostly at home with the Kvalbein-Olsen family after the children's bedtime.