Conductor

Tore Aas – Founder, Conductor, Composer, Producer

Tore Aas and the Oslo Gospel Choir. It is impossible to imagine one without the other. Ever since the beginning of the 1980s, Tore had been strongly influenced by gospel music and was already working closely gospel artist Andraé Crouch, winner of seven Grammy awards. In the time before the OGC was established, Tore had the intention of gathering the best gospel voices to a workshop a few times a year. Instead, it was a chorus that was born; one that immediately sang its way into people's hearts and opened new musical vistas. Tore has composed everything from songs to major works, such as his masses Gloria and Credo. He has made radio hits, and some of his songs are even included in the Church of Norway’s new hymnal. In addition to producing all of OGC’s recordings, he has produced records for Andraé Crouch, Swedish star Carola and Greek legend (and former UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador) Nana Mouskouri.

Tore is frighteningly fearless and has an energy that sometimes puts the choir to the test – but which also constantly provides it with new goals. The OGC owes at least part of its success to Tore's unique ability to simultaneously foster strong individual voices as well as cohesive interaction. All of which helps to make the choir as a whole something truly special. And perhaps most important of all: The driving force that is Tore’s desire to bring gospel, praise and hymns out of the church and onto the streets and – in the process – into people's hearts, where the message can be recognized and experienced in people’s lives.