Based in Hamar, 120 km from Oslo, Toneheim Folkehøgskole is a leading destination in Norway for international students who wants to study music at a Folk High School.
Students are enrolled based on their main instrument. We offer individual lessons on all orchestral and jazz instruments, singing, piano, organ, accordion, guitar, and percussion. We also have teachers in all instruments used in Norwegian folk music, instrumental and vocal. Additionally, we offer individual courses in musical composition, and both choral and instrumental conducting.
The school has 170 students, all in a one-year course starting in August and ending in the middle of May. We have dormitory facilities with a combination of single and double rooms, and all students live in the dormitory. Age limit for application is minimum 18.
Most classes at Toneheim are about music, such as:
- Music theory
- harmony
- aural training
- music history
- interpretation
- music therapy
- jazz improvisation
- conducting
There is a strong emphasis on active musicianship. All students participate in ensembles such as:
- Choir
- wind band
- brass band
- big band
- string orchestra
- chamber music groups
- jazz bands
Our students have a background in western classical music or jazz. We recommend students with their primary interest in rock music to apply to other schools. All classes are in Norwegian. We have a basic Norwegian course for beginners.
The liberal folk high schools are built on values that are not based on one particular belief. They encourage students with different interests and beliefs to apply.