Swedish Vocal Folk Music Workshop in Bishop Hill!
- Ellie Sevigny
- 21 hours ago
- 2 min read
Renowned Swedish vocal ensemble, Kongero, will teach a variety of Swedish folk songs
and tunes in 2- to 4-part harmony – all by ear, from 1 to 2:30 p.m. at the Dairy Building
in historic Bishop Hill, IL on Saturday December 6, 2025. Kongero works and
experiments with genre specific sounds, grooves, articulation, improvisation, and
ornaments, in what they term folk'apella. The participants will get tips and feed-back on
vocal technique, intonation, tools for improving their singing together, basic arranging
ideas, and we always have a lovely and fun time singing. The four Kongero singers are
all skilled and experienced workshop leaders. Kongero has released two Song Books
with the songs and arrangements they teach in workshop settings. All levels and ages of
singers are welcome to this free workshop! Song books will be available for sale at the
workshop, but are not necessary for participation.
Kongero is a Swedish vocal group consisting of the four female folk singers Lotta
Andersson, Emma Björling, Sofia Hultqvist Kott and Anna Wikénius. Kongero was
formed in 2005 when the original members all attended a Nordic folk music
conference. By chance they started singing together and found that their voices and
harmonies blended perfectly. Since then they have performed at many of the major folk
music scenes and festivals and at several a cappella and chamber music festivals as well
as doing tours all over Europe, Asia and The Americas. They also do church concerts,
school concerts, tours, perform at business events, and conduct well-received workshops
in traditional Swedish vocal music and vocal harmonies. After the workshop at the Dairy
Building, Kongero will also be performing a concert later the night at the Bishop Hill
Creative Commons at 7 p.m.
Reservations are not required for the workshop. The Dairy Building is located at 410
North Erickson Street. For more information about this free workshop, please call 309-
927-3899 or email bhha@mymctc.net. Sponsored by the BHHA, Barbro Osher Pro
Suecia Foundation, and SWEA-Chicago.
