Opus 82

From "Korpsgalla 2006". Click here for more pictures.

Opus 82 is a concert band based in Sandvika outside Oslo, Norway. The band was founded in 1982, as the name suggests. Opus 82 has been an elite band in the national championship for the last few years, and in 2005 it held the position of 5th best concert band in Norway.

Norway has a very strong symphonic band tradition, with hundreds of school bands and amateur concert bands. Opus 82 aims to be an alternative for the more ambitious young amateur musicians. It should be a bit challenging, but also musically inspiring, to play in the band. Opus 82 is a pure concert band—we have never marched and probably never will! This has been part of our statutes since the foundation, and is one thing that differentiates us from most other concert bands in Norway.

Opus 82 currently has about 40 players, most of them between 20 and 40 years old. The band consists of eager and skillful amateurs, music teachers, and students from the metropolitan area of Oslo and Akershus. Common for all members is that we seek the musical challenges found in elite concert band repertoire. Our repertoire spans from arranged classicals via light entertainment music to original wind band compositions.

The band always tries to find exciting new repertoire and concert ideas. We like to create concept concerts with a consistent theme and a form that is not necessarily traditional. To accomplish this we often cooperate with other cultural actors, both professionals and amateurs.

Opus 82 is conducted by Pål Wilhelm Magnussen. Magnussen is a musician and conductor from Sarpsborg in Østfold. He also works as a trombone instructor. Pål was educated at Østlandets Musikkonservatorium in Oslo and the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London.

He has been employed as a trombonist in the Staff Band of the Norwegian Armed Forces since 1994. He has also had engagements with the Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra, The Norwegian Opera Orchestra, Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra, Trondheim Symphonic Orchestra, and the Norwegian Radio Orchestra.

His previous conducting experience includes Oppegård skolemusikkorps, Eidsberg Brassband, Tempo Høybråten Janitsjar, Rygge Musikkorps, Greåker Musikkorps, and Tindlund Skolekorps. He has also had engagements as conductor and instructor for, amongst other, Vestre Aker Musikkorps, Sinsen Musikkorps, and Opus 82.

Opus 82 went to China in Easter 2007!