Skålmusik

Founded in 1990, Skålmusik (pronounced Skoalmusik) of Brainerd, Minnesota is a five piece ensemble that performs traditional Scandinavian and Scandinavian/American dance and vocal music. Native midwesterners often remark that Skålmusik really knows how to "put the 'yump'" in their tunes! They have toured widely in the midwest and beyond, playing at a wide variety of events including ethnic festivals, community celebrations, state fairs, historical societies and, of course, old time dances. Descendants of immigrant Swedes and Norwegians to Minnesota, they play the music of their heritage on fiddles, accordions, pump organ, guitar and string bass, to songs both poignant and humorous. They especially like to play music for old time dancing. In fact, it's been said by more than one local fan that "there should be a law against any festival that hires you guys and doesn't provide a dance floor!" Skålmusik specializes in tailoring their performances to each individual situation, from elementary school programs to elderhostels. Their aim is always the same: to have a great time and to make sure that everyone else does too! Skålmusik is listed in the Minnesota Folk Artists Directory, a compendium of the best of Minnesota's tradition bearers. They have performed for the King and Queen of Sweden, appeared on Garrison Keillor's "A Prairie Home Companion," and toured in Sweden and Norway. Members of Skålmusik have made a name for themselves not only as musicians and entertainers, but as bearers of a long tradition that they cherish and are working tirelessly to keep alive. They have three recordings to their credit, "Gammaldans i Skogen", 1997, "The Barnburner", 1999, and "Skålmusik: Scandinavian Potluck", 2003, on the Timmerhus label.

SKÅLMUSIK is:

Paul Wilson - fiddle, button accordion, vocals
Mary Abendroth - vocals, pump organ, guitar,
Arne Anderson - fiddle, piano accordion
Bob Anderson - string bass
Harold Herboldt - piano accordion

Here is a small sampling of places where they have performed:

Nisswa, Mn - Nisswa-stämman Scandinavian folkmusic festival
Decorah, Ia -- Nordic Fest
Minneapolis, Mn. Finn Fest USA
Pipestone, Mn - Concert series, Performing Arts Center
Wisconsin Dells, Wi Thunder Valley Inn performance
St. Paul, Mn - Minnesota State Fair Heritage Square stage, Ramberg stage
Rapid City, S.D. - Mount Rushmore National Monument, Seven Lag Stevne
Minot, N.D. - Norsk Hostfest - the largest Scandinavian festival in North America
Gibbon, Mn - Garrison Keillor's "A Prairie Home Companion" National Public Radio
Ashland, Wi - school residency - Scandinavian week and festival
Red Lodge, Mt - Festival of Nations
Sioux City, Ia - Scandinavian Festival
Spokane, Wa - Concert series
Junction City, Or - Scandinavian Festival
Sioux Falls, S.D - Music in the Parks
Minneapolis, Mn. American Swedish Institute, crayfish dinner fundraiser
Minneapolis, Mn. Orchestra Hall, Marshall Fields Day of Music
Ishpeming, Mi. Vasa Lodge concert in the U.P.!
E. Lansing, Mi - Great Lakes Folk Festival, a major festival with 80,000 in attendance
Jamestown, NY Scandinavian festival
Marquette, Mi - Grand Finn Fest

Contact:
Paul Wilson
16586 Nokay Lake Rd.
Brainerd, Mn . 56401 USA
218-764-2994
pwilson@brainerd.net
http://www.brainerd.net/~pwilson/skalmusik