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Dr. Bragi Þór Valsson

Conductor - Arranger - Composer - Singer- Clarinettist - Music Teacher

Music Education

2022

Integrated PhD in Choral Conducting

Stellenbosch University

Academic supervisors Prof Winfried Lüdemann and Dr Martin Berger

2004

M.Mus in Choral Conducting

Florida State University, USA

Graduated Magna Cum Laude.

Professors included Dr. André Thomas, Dr. Kevin Fenton, Dr. Judy Bowers, Dr. Alex Jiménes, Prof. Rodney Eichenberger.

2002

Various instrumental studies (Clarinet, Voice, Piano)

Sigursveinn D. Kristinsson music school

Reykjavik, Iceland.

2000

Highest levels offered of...

... Music Theory, Aural Training, Harmony and Form & Analysis at Sigursveinn D. Kristinsson music school

Reykjavik, Iceland

Work experience - Music teaching

Music teaching and band directing at Grafarvogur School Band, Reykjavik, Iceland 2023-

Teaching the class "Singing and Conducting" at the University of Iceland

2023

Department Head at Hólmavík Music School, Iceland.

Teaching Voice, Saxophone, Flute, Drums, Ukulele, Guitar, Piano, Pop Piano, Bass Guitar, Band, Music Theory, Aural Training, Elementary Music Class (ages 5-8), and Children's Choir.

2020-2023

Music Teacher at Hólmavík Music School, Iceland.

2019

Title: Head of Choirs and Music Teacher. Responsibilities: coordinating choral activities, teaching Voice, Clarinet, Saxophone, Flute, Piano, Band, Music Theory and Class Music gr. 7‐12 at Lebone II College of the Royal Bafokeng, Phokeng, South Africa.

2012-2019

Teaching Voice, Aural Training, Music Appreciation and Music Tech at St. Alban’s College in Pretoria, South Africa.

2012

Teaching Aural Training, Music Theory and private Voice lessons at Drakensberg Boys’ Choir School in South Africa.

2011

Teaching Conducting at Iceland Teacher College (now part of University of Iceland).

2005-2006

Development and teaching of the course “Learn to read music – for adults”.

2005-2006

Teaching music to mentally disabled teenagers – Borgarholtsskóli in Reykjavík, Iceland.

2007-2009

Clarinet teaching – Reykjavík Music School, Iceland.

2006-2007

Teaching Recorder to 2nd graders at Lindaskóli elementary school in Kópavogur, Iceland.

2007-2008

Clarinet teaching – Kópavogur Music School, Iceland.

2005-2006

Clarinet teaching – Kópavogur School Band, Iceland

2005-2006

Work experience - Non-music teaching

Lebone II - College of the Royal Bafokeng - Gr 7 and Gr 9 IT classes.

2014-2018

Hraðbraut High School (16‐25 year olds) – Computer Science and Programming.

2007-2010

Borgarholtsskóli High School (16‐20 year olds) – Computer Science.

2007-2008

Reykjavik University – Guest teacher for two Computer Science groups

2003

Work experience - Choirs

20192023

Conductor

Barnakór Strandabyggðar (Children's Choir of Strandabyggð, Iceland).
20212022

Conductor

Himnasmiður choir, Reykjavík, Iceland
20192021

Conductor

Norðurljós Women's Choir, Hólmavík, Iceland.
20122015

Conductor

Lebone II Chamber Choir, South Africa

A small (14-18 member) high school choir which was sought-after for various functions and won several accolades, including being the highest-scoring non-Afrikaans mixed-voice high-school choir in the prestigious ATKV Applous choir competition in both 2014 and 2015.

20152019

Conductor

Lebone II College Choir, South Africa

The high-school choir at Lebone II College of the Royal Bafokeng. This group performed under my direction with major South African performers such as Johnny Clegg, The Parlotones, Lira, Amanda Black and Mi Casa.

20162018

Conductor

Rustenburg Community Chorus, South Africa

Founder and conductor

20152016

Conductor

Lebone II Glee Club, South Africa

The "poppy" choir of the high school section at Lebone II College of the Royal Bafokeng.

20122014

Conductor

Lebone II Intermediate Phase Choir, South Africa

A school choir for students in Grades 4 to 6

2013

Conductor

South African National Youth Choir
A several day long rehearsal period, concluded with a performance.  Other two conductors: Mia Makaroff and Walter Butt.
2012

Conductor

St. Alban's Chapel Choir and Barbershop Boys Choir

St. Alban's is an all-boys' high school in Pretoria, South Africa

2011

Conductor

Drakensberg Boys' Choir

I directed the choir in over 90 performances in 2011. Info on this prestigious choir here: www.dbchoir.co.za

2010

Conductor

Drengjakór Hafnarfjarðar men’s choir, Iceland

A small men's choir, specialising in light, humorous programming

20072010

Conductor

Borgarholtsskóli high school vocal group, Iceland

Training and directing of a small vocal group.

20072008

Founder and conductor

Con Spirito pop choir, Iceland

The choir sang my arrangements of known Icelandic pop music and performed with celebrity soloists.

20042008

Conductor

Lindaskóli elementary school choir, Iceland
20062007

Conductor

Mýrar Community Chorus (“Samkór Mýramanna”), Iceland
20052006

Conductor

Verzlunarskóli Íslands high school choir, Iceland
20042006

Conductor

Kópavogur Community Chorus (“Samkór Kópavogs”), Iceland
20032004

Conductor

Tallahassee Capital Chordsmen Barbershop Chorus, USA
2003

Music Director

Music Director – “The Snow Queen” at The Quincy Music Theatre, USA

Non-music higher education

B.Sc. degree in Computer Science from Reykjavik University.

2002

Diploma in Applied Computing from Reykjavik University.

1999

Choral Competitions

Rustenburg Eisteddfod, Lebone II Glee Club - awarded Gold. 2017

ATKV Applous choir competition, Lebone II Chamber Choir -

Selected for national finals in Port Elizabeth and then earned highest mark of all the choirs in the group "Non-Afrikaans speaking mixed-voice high school choirs".

2015

Klerksdorp Eisteddfod, Lebone II Chamber Choir - 90% mark (Platinum)

2015

ATKV Applous choir competition, Lebone II Chamber Choir -

Selected for national finals in Pretoria and then earned highest mark of all the choirs in the group "Non-Afrikaans speaking mixed-voice high school choirs". Also received the prize for “Best performance of a traditional African song”.

2014

Rustenburg Eisteddfod, Lebone II Chamber Choir - 94% mark (Platinum)

2013

Adjudication

ATKV Applous Choir Competition, national finals in Bloemfontein, South Africa July 2019
ATKV Applous Choir Competition, Western Cape (Cape Town) pre-lims (South Africa) 24-25 May 2018
Pretoria Choral Eisteddfod, Pretoria, South Africa 21-23 May 2018

ATKV Applous Choir Competition, Randburg pre-lims (South Africa)

18 May 2018

ATKV Applous Choir Competition, Port Elizabeth / Uitenhage  pre-lims (South Africa)

16 May 2018

ATKV Applous Choir Competition, Newcastle pre-lims (South Africa)

14 May 2018

ATKV Applous Choir Competition, Pretoria pre-lims (South Africa)

10-12 May 2018

ATKV Applous Choir Competition, Rustenburg pre-lims (South Africa)

9 May 2018

Vocal Eisteddfod, Newcastle, South Africa

28-30 August 2017

ATKV Applous Choir Competition, Springbok pre-lims (South Africa)

29 May 2017

ATKV Applous Choir Competition, Upington pre-lims (South Africa)

28 May 2017

ATKV Applous Choir Competition, Kimberley pre-lims (South Africa)

27 May 2017

Pretoria Choral Eisteddfod, Pretoria, South Africa

9-11May 2017
ATKV Cantando Choir Competition, Klerksdorp, South Africa 12 August 2016
ATKV Applous Choir Competition, Newcastle pre-lims (South Africa) 13 May 2016
ATKV Applous Choir Competition, Rustenburg pre-lims (South Africa) 11 May 2016
ATKV Applous Choir Competition, Potchefstroom pre-lims (South Africa) 10 May 2016
ATKV Applous Choir Competition, Polokwane pre-lims (South Africa) 9 May 2016
Talent competition to choose an item as main entertainment for the opening of SA Special Olympics, Phokeng 2013
Anglo-Platinum Choral Competition, Rustenburg, South Africa 2011
Newcastle music Eisteddfod (instrumental), South Africa 2011

Choral Workshops

 

Workshop for the Australian Southland Choir in Reykjavik, Iceland 21 Sept 2023
ATKV Applous choral workshop, Port Elizabeth, South Africa

17 May 2018

ATKV Applous choral workshop, Newcastle, South Africa 15 May 2018
ATKV Applous choral workshop, Rustenburg, South Africa 9 May 2018

Drakensberg Boys’ Choir, South Africa

2006

St. Conrad’s College choir, Klerksdorp, South Africa 2006
EKKO‐korinn (Choir of Retired Teachers), Iceland 2007, 2008, 2009
Húnakórinn, Iceland 2007, 2008, 2009

Works and musicals performed (as conductor)

Tosca by G. Puccini – conducting of the back-stage choir – Iceland National Opera          

        2006

The Snow Queen at Quincy Music Theatre, FL, USA (Music Director)

       2003

Misa Criolla by Ariel Ramírez – Tallahassee, USA

        2004 

Petite Messe Solenelle by G. Rossini ‐ Seltjarnarnes, Iceland

       2003

Arrangements

Several dozen choral arrangements, many of which were commissioned by various choirs in several countries. Also quite a few arrangements especially arranged for the Drakensberg Boys‘ Choir and for the Lebone II Chamber Choir.

See examples here: http://www.bragi.co.za/arranger.html

Instrumental arrangements for various instruments, all for sale on SheetMusicPlus and SheetMusic Direct. See the full selection here: https://www.sheetmusicplus.com/search?Ntt=bragi+thor+valsson

compositions

Missa Capella, a full latin mass for mixed (SATB) choir a cappella. Available here: https://www.sheetmusicplus.com/title/missa-capella-an-a-capella-mass-for-satb-choir-and-two-soloists-digital-sheet-music/20803716

Faðir vor, a composition to the Icelandic Lord's Prayer for mixed (SATB) choir a cappella. Available here: https://www.sheetmusicplus.com/title/fair-vor-original-composition-for-satb-choir-in-icelandic-digital-sheet-music/21394372

Several award-winning choral compositions set to Afrikaans text. Contact me for details.

Several short choral pieces set to Icelandic text. Contact me for details.

Published material

Recordings

32 Sacred Choral Compositions (live recordings from my doctoral concerts in May 2022)

Available on Spotify here: https://open.spotify.com/album/5aM23YTWkRn9OgtRn9XNgO?si=JtXmmkGPTHen5tLok21YzA

Available on Apple Music here: https://music.apple.com/za/album/32-sacred-choral-compositions-feat-bragi-thor-valsson/1685218915

2023
"Gleðileg jól, allir saman", music video with Barnakór Strandabyggðar & Eyfi: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DrdCsSTrHPs 2022
"Mig langar til að hætta", music video with Barnakór Strandabyggðar, Þorgeir Ástvaldsson & Ásgeir Páll Ágústsson: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d6DND5J92s4 2021
"Jólin eru að koma", recording with Barnakór Strandabyggðar. Music and lyrics by Bragi Þór Valsson: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FKLsiFKLYOA&list=OLAK5uy_ln9indjGmN9N-jAkhskAPu63w4UMQkptw 2020

Lebone II Chamber Choir – “Bad Day” CD – conducting, arranging, recording.

2015

Lebone II Chamber Choir – “Africa” CD – conducting, arranging, recording.

2014

Various choral recordings for radio, television and publishing, most notably with the World Youth Choir.

1999-2010
Semele by John Eccles (http://www.amazon.com/Eccles-Semele-John/dp/B0001W3068/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1439228270&sr=8-2) 2003

Smaladrengirnir vocal group – “Strákapör” CD. Arrangements, singing, clarinet playing, producing.

Available on Spotify here: https://open.spotify.com/album/07GF6aXLMSBpep1kEwBUl2?si=nvZSWLHmRjibYESDJnJxLg

Available on Apple Music here: https://music.apple.com/za/album/str%C3%A1kap%C3%B6r/1521383755

2001

Rokklingarnir albums. 8 different albums/cassettes, 4 of which fetched Gold or Platinum sales levels. Singing solos on all albums and performing in various music videos.

1989-1993

Singing - Chamber groups

Black Velvet Quartet (SATB) in South Africa 2012 - 2013
Smaladrengirnir male quartet in Iceland 1997‐2007
Krummi kvartett mixed quarted in Iceland 2007-2008

Choral Singing

World Youth Choir. 7 consecutive sessions, as choral singer and soloist. Toured in around 25 countries in Europe, Africa, South‐ and North‐America. Conductors Frieder Bernius, Gary Graden, Nobuaki Tanaka, André Thomas, Paul Smith, Peter Erdei, Steve Zegree, Anton Armstrong, Felipe Izcaray, Denis Menier, Jonathan Velasco, and Tonu Kaljuste.

1999-2002

World Voices, an international choir assembled to partake in the choral competition in Tolosa, Spain (the group took 2nd place in both categories). Conductor Michael Zaugg.

2001

Florida State University Cantores Musique Antique “Early Music” group. Various performances of early music around the state of Florida. Various solo work.

2002-2004

Tallahassee Community Choir, hired singer for their Carnegie Hall performance in New York City.

2003

Florida State University Chamber Choir. Various solos.

2002-2004

Grove Park Music Festival Chorus in London, UK. Hired singer.

2000

Solo and ensemble singerwell over 100 funerals

1999-2010

 Hamrahlid Choir in Iceland. Conductor Thorgerdur Ingolfsdottir

1994-1998

Singing - Shows, major choral works and operas

Mozart Requiem – bass solos. Drakensberg Boys’ Choir “Music in the Mountains” music festival.

2011

Singing/Acting – Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast” animated movie – Role of Gaston in the Icelandic dubbing. Clips available on my website.

2002

St. Matthew Passion by J.S. Bach – Seljakirkja Chamber Choir. Role of Jesus

2009

Tosca by G. Puccini. Iceland National Opera. Chorus singing and “back-stage chorus” conducting.

2006

Sweeney Todd by Stephen Sondheim. Iceland National Opera. Role of “First Storyteller” and chorus singing.

2005

Magnificat by J.S. Bach – baritone solos. Florida State Chamber Choir in Tallahassee, USA (2003) and Seltjarnarnes Church Choir, Iceland (2004)

2003, 2004
Semele by John Eccles. Florida State Opera. Role of Somnus.2003
Iceland Symphony Orchestra "Another Kind of Magic" concert. One of 3 hired singers for this "Music of Queen" concert.2002
Alexander's Feast by G.F. Händel. Grove Park Music Festival Chorus in London, England.2000

Organising

Lebone II Festival of Voices Choir Festival, with around 800 participants, organiser.

2017

Professional visits by Dr. Kevin Fenton from the USA to South Africa, organiser.

2016
Choral workshops by Dr. Alan Zabriskie from the USA, in Gauteng and NW provinces in South Africa, organiser.

2014

Assisting The Real Group from Sweden in organising their concert tours to South Africa

2012, 2013

Non-music work

Various software companies, including Þróun, Audioworks and Degasoft.

1998-2002

Freelance programming and website building, including

Tónfræði.is (www.tonfraedi.is)

Námskeiðaskólinn (www.namskeidaskolinn.is)
Tweetomizer (www.tweetomizer.com)
Matardagbókin (www.matardagbokin.is)
Tweetomizer (www.tweetomizer.com)
Join The Band (www.jointhebandbooks.com)
Tónskóli Sigursveins (www.tonskolisigursveins.is)
Bragi Thor Valsson personal site (www.bragi.co.za)
Christina van Deventer personal site (www.christinavandeventer.com)

Since 1998.