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The Saga Singers of Edmonton

by June A. Parker and Gloria Krenbrenk

The Saga Singers is a group of non-professional, multi-generational (ages 8-80+!) singers who are interested in learning about, and the preservation of Icelandic culture and traditions. They do this through English explanations of their choral singing. The ladies' costumes are the authentic or faithful copies of the 18^th century costume known as the upphlutur, now the most common of the three Icelandic costumes.  

The Saga Singers got their start at a Christmas party in 1964 when Lillian Sumarlidason gathered a group around the piano to sing Icelandic carols. Their first public performance was at Scandapades, a variety show produced by the Scandinavian Centre and held annually at the Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium. In 1968 the choir formally organized and affiliated with Norðurljós (Northern Lights), the Icelandic Society of Edmonton, under the directorship of Lil Sumarlidason and adopted the name Saga Singers. Choir Directors: 1969-1979 Della Roland; 1979-1989 Guðbjorg (Burky) Letourneau; 1989-2002 Gloria Krenbrenk; 2002-2005 Calvin Krenbrenk; 2005-to present Daria Parada.

Did You Know ...

The Saga Singers have entertained at many of the official functions of the Norðurljós Club, including Þorrablót, the Christmas party, Edmonton Heritage Days, the crowning of the fjallkona at Íslendingamót in Markerville (the weekend closest to June 17), the Markerville centennial, the centennial of Vonin (Icelandic Ladies Aid of Markerville), for visiting dignitaries, including Iceland's President: Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson, former President: Vigdís Finnbogadóttir, and Pope John Paul II. They also entertained at the Provincial Museum, for Stephansson House Senior Lodges, Nursing Homes, multicultural programs at St. Albert and Stony Plain, and have participated in Celebrations of Life and at a marriage.

The Saga Singers have been great ambassadors for Edmonton. Their participation and presentations in all these activities were applauded when they presented concerts in Ottawa, Gimli (twice); Lundar, Wynyard and more recently in Alberta: The Icelandic Connection Conference in Red Deer, the INL Conference in Calgary, the S & O Stefansson Traveling Exhibit in Calgary, and the Viking Night at Viking.