Graduale Nobili was founded in the autumn of 2000. The choir comprises 24 girls aged 17 to 24, who have been selected from among those who have sung with the Langholtskirkja Graduale Choir. All the members of the choir have pursued musical studies, and many aim for a career in music.
The choir was immediately well received, and after its first independent concert, critics heaped praise upon the new choir.
The choir participated in the European Youth Choirs Competition at Kalundborg, Denmark, in April 2001, where it was placed second.
The choir’s first CD was issued 2001, presenting lesser-known 20th-century choral works from Iceland and abroad. Second CD was issued 2008 presenting Icelandic choir music, most of it composed for the choir.
In 2003 the choir won two gold medals at the Vocal Festival in Tampere, Finland.
In summer 2009 it took apart in the Llangollen festivali in Wales and received silver in Chamber Choir category and bronze ina Female category. In same competition in year 2010 they received silver in Barbershop/Close Harmony and bronze in Chamber.
From September 2010 to January 2011 the choir has been working with Bjork Gudmundsdottir on her next CD Biophilia and will be singing some concerts with her at the Manchester International Festival in summer 2011.
The choir's conductor from its foundation has been Jón Stefánsson.
Jón Stefánsson qualified as a cantor in Iceland, then pursued further studies at the Munich Academy of Music with Professor Karl Richter, and subsequently at the Academy of Music in Vienna with Professor Michael Radulescu. Jón has been organist and choirmaster of the Langholtskirkja Church in Reykjavík almost continuously since 1964.
The Langholtskirkja Choir has developed and flourished under his leadership. The choir has performed all Bach's major works. The choir's staging of Bach's St. John Passion in 1995 was well received. In 1989 the choir performed Messiah in Israel and 1994 the Mass in B-Minor at the Barbican Centre in London, with the English Chamber Orchestra.
Jón is the founder of the Langholtskirkja Graduale Choir, which has established itself under his leadership as one of Iceland's best youth choirs.
In 2000 he founded Graduale Nobili.
Jón also conducts Langholtskirkja Chamber Choir who has received many awards in choir copetition´s including 1st price in the international competition in Denmark 2002.
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