KVAMusic Edition

Roar Kvam began studying music at a young age in his hometown in Norway. He later pursued postgraduate studies at the Music Conservatory in Oslo, where he specialized in choral conducting under Trygve Lindemann, orchestral conducting with Øyvin Fjeldstað, and music composition with Finn Mortensen. Additionally, he has attended numerous international courses in choral, orchestral, and wind band conducting.

Roar has led his ensembles to success in various music competitions, winning prestigious awards such as first prize at the World Music Contest in Kerkrade, Netherlands, and the International Youth Music Festival in Zurich, Switzerland.

He founded and directed the Wind Band at the Music School in Akureyri and later led the Youth Wind Band for 25 years. Roar also established the Akureyri Chamber Orchestra, which later evolved into the North Iceland Symphony Orchestra, and conducted it for its first five years. He served as conductor of the Akureyri Municipal Band for seven years and led the Akureyri-Geysir Men's Choir from its merger in 1990 until 2000. Additionally, he conducted the Lissý Women's Choir (1999–2001), the FHUE Accordion Orchestra (2012–present), and the Embla Women's Choir (2002–present).

In 1972, Roar founded the Passion Choir in Akureyri and conducted it until its dissolution in 1997. Under his leadership, the choir performed renowned works such as Handel’s Messiah, J.S. Bach’s Cantatas and Easter Oratorio, Beethoven’s and Anton Bruckner’s Masses, Mozart’s Requiem, Haydn’s The Creation and The Seasons, D. Fanshawe’s avant-garde African Sanctus, Orff’s Carmina Burana, and the oratorios Fate Mystery and Strings Play by Björgvin Guðmundsson. Notably, the Passion Choir was the only "rural choir" to perform at the Art Festival and the Nordic Music Days in Reykjavík.

Roar has also contributed extensively to theater music. As a music director, he has worked on productions at the Akureyri Theater, including My Fair Lady, Cabaret, Blood Brothers, and The Bath. In 1996, he co-founded the Akureyri Theater Choir with fellow theater music enthusiasts. Under his musical direction, the choir staged productions such as Johann Strauss’ The Gypsy Baron, J. Offenbach’s La Belle Hélène, and Franz Lehár’s The Merry Widow.