Two Beers with Bård
Two Beers with Bård
I meet Bård in Klubben one afternoon in August and quickly realize that it is not yet open for serving. As my former boss in the Sound Committee, he greeted me with a smile, thanked me for the last time, and apologized for still having to deal with him.
Journalist: Amalie Linnerud Garli
Photografer: Even Amandus Haslund
Translator: Rebekka Berg
Web distributor: Martha Ingeborg Evensen
The place you have driven past
Bård was born and lived in Sarpsborg during his first years of life. However, this could not be mentioned when he moved to Fredrikstad, where the rest of his upbringing took place. Most of his schooling also took place in Fredrikstad, but the journey went back to Sarpsborg when it was time to start high school. Unsure of what he wanted, he decided to specialize in science.
It wasn’t until a few years into high school that Bård heard about NMBU from a student ambassador who came to visit. He had not heard much about Ås before then, apart from the times he had driven past on his way north. Before that, the plan had been to study closer to Fredrikstad, however, after experiencing living alone at the folkehøyskole *, studying in his hometown was no longer an option. “It’s nice to have the freedom to do what you want!”, Bård explains.
During the conversation with the student ambassador, they discussed which subjects Bård took in high school. When he answered science, maths and IT, geomatics was brought up.
Like most others, Bård had heard little about geomatics. Nevertheless, after reading about it that evening, he found it very interesting and thought it was a great option.
Theatre, stage, and music had long been a part of Bård’s life, as he’d been doing theatre for 9 years back home in Fredrikstad. Thus, the journey did not lead straight to NMBU, but rather to a rewarding year filled with muscials and theatre at the folkehøyskole in Hønefoss first. It wasn’t until autumn 2019 that Bård took his stuff and moved to Ås to study geomatics.
Positions, committee, Buddy, and choir
With all his stuff in place and well underway with his studies, Bård, like all new students at NMBU, was introduced to Samfunnet. During his time at the folkehøyskole, Bård had gained experience as a sound technician, so the decision to join the Sound Committee came naturally - as this had been an incredibly educational experience.
At Samfunnet, he had the opportunity to work with sound at concerts for the first time, although managing sound at revues was his first choice. The advantage of revues is that he gets the chance to sit at the mixing table, in contrast to concerts, where the artists usually have their own sound technician. When he controls the sound, he has the opportunity to leave his mark on the performance; if a song needed more guitar, he could give it more guitar. Since then, it’s been revues that Bård has worked on the most here in Ås.
Since the end of September 2021, Bård has been the Head of the Sound Committee. The reason why Bård chose to go the extra mile was that he wanted to give more to Samfunnet, since it had given so much to him. He also worked as a NK (second in command) for revue sound during UKA2020, which, for obvious reasons, was not a completely normal experience. Nevertheless, with a lot of good work, it ended up being a good year for the culture festival after all. For Bård, there has always been a great motivation to get involved in many different things, instead of just sitting at home and doing nothing. Fittingly, the motto of the folkehøyskole in Hønefoss was “the school that never sleeps”.
Throughout his studies, Bård has been part of the choir Noe Ganske Annet. Having spent a large part of his life in a theatre group, Bård has sung a lot over the years. Therefore, it was an easy decision to join an association with song and unity. At the time, Bård lived with another NGA member who persuaded him to apply for this particular association. Bård has mostly sung tenor in his choral career, with a short period where he tried himself at bass, but quickly realized that he was much better suited in the higher voice range.
*Folkehøyskole explained: a folk high school is a oneyear education institution which offers a wide variety of courses. Nevertheless, they generally do not grant academic degrees. Folk high schools are, by some, seen as kindergartens for adults.
By the second year at Ås, the desire to get involved in the social side of his course of study was great. A period as a member of the board of the line association, several years as a Buddy for new students and one year as the Head of Buddy Week for his own study. Being able to introduce new students to Ås has been a great joy throughout his studies and, without a doubt, the best tip he gives to new students is to join Samfunnet. “My favorite part of Buddy Week is showing the new students around at Samfunnet!”
Tradition for life
From childhood, Bård has had a great fascination for the theatrical and exciting life of pirates. Captain Sabertooth was perhaps one of the biggest and most obvious influences to this hobby, which Bård says he has not yet “grown out of”. When a pirate association for students at NMBU then appeared, Bård was the first member to sign up after it was founded. Another thing that shows Bård’s lifelong dedication to this hobby is the tradition he shares with his sister.
Every year since Bård got his driver’s license, the two have travelled down to Kristiansand to see the Captain Sabertooth show. The last performances have been especially great, because Bård has previously shared the stage with the person who now holds the role of the Captain himself in the park during the day.
The road ahead
This autumn, Bård starts his fifth year at NMBU and, if all goes according to plan, he will complete his master’s in the spring. The study period has been a wonderful time that Bård will miss, while at the same time he is happy to get out into working life. His remaining time at Ås will certainly include pirate costumes, choir singing, sound and hopefully some writing of a master’s thesis.
Greetings
After living with you for 3 years, it can be concluded that you are one of the most committed contributors to the Ås bubble, and I have not seen anyone else who so easily pulls himself together to help or just be there.
You are a yes-person, especially (perhaps limited to) when it comes to parties. Here you do the very best. Stairs are no obstacle, the easiest thing is to roll down, don’t know if you remember this ;)
I will bring up a memory from oblivion of one of my earliest meetings with you. I moved into Krona 5 at the start of September 2020, together with many other first-year students. We were very green and new to the student life, and when the first Wednesday came there was a Bodega. You took on the role as “guide leader” and this role came very naturally to you, and over the years this is a hat you like to wear: welcoming, helpful and kind.
Now you will soon be finished, and Ås will not be the same without you! Good luck in your “adult” life.
Greetings from Friend, (former) roommate, and drunkard no. 2: Vetle
Bård!
Dear, dear, dear Bård!
From our first meeting in the spring to the internal party in autumn 2019 and until today, together we have persevered for over 4 years in the Sound Committee at Samfunnet. In the myriad of committee chief positions, I’ve been your boss, you’ve been my boss, and we’ve even been bosses together at some point. Our friendship is also much more than just the Sound Committee; the subjects we’ve had together, all the Christmas tables and rølp in the Bodega. Regardless, you always meet me with a smile, a joke, and preferably a suggestion about shots in Johannes.
Carry on, dearest Bård!
Regards, Julie Overrein
