Gro Schibsted Sandvik

Gro Sandvik has served as principal flute of the Bergen Philharmonic 1967- 2005. She held the position from 1964 with Stavanger Symphony orchestra. She is a member of Bergen Woodwind Quintet, one of Scandinavia's leading chamber music groups, performing to great acclaim the world over. The quintet has been named Visiting Guest Artists in residence at the University of Minnesota.

Her exceptional versatility is evidence of an intense interest in communication through music at all levels. She has an active career as soloist and chamber music performer, which includes premier performances of numerous works written especially for her, and the Scandinavian premier of John Corigliano's Concerto for Flute, bringing 100 flute-playing children on stage !

 Her philosophy of music and flute playing is derived from Mime and Acting Professor Emeritus Bud Beyer and her private studies with Marcel Moyse. 

Ms. Sandvik holds a professorship in music performance at the Grieg Academy, University of Bergen. Her articles on flute playing in wind bands are widely recognized and she is a sought-after guest lecturer and flute educator. She has been featured in Flute Talk Magazine Oct 2006 and was invited to perform at the National Flute Association Convention in Abuquerque 2007. She is Honorary Member of the Norwegian Flute Association. She has conducted Master Classes, given concerts and participated in the Pedagogic Panel at Honolulu University, Wichita State University, University of Minnesota, St. Olaf College, University of Wisconsin-Eau Clair, Concordia College, North Park College, Northwestern University, University of Northern Illinois, Ohio University, Peabody Conservatory, Wayne State University, Eastern Iowa flute Association,  Northern Iowa flute Association,Upper Midwest Flute Association, University of Belgium, Kuopio Conservatory, Royal Northern College of Music, Costa Rica Music Conservatory, Shepherd School of Music-Rice University, Paderewski Academy, Poznan, Polen.Iceland Academy of the Arts.

Gro Sandvik is often engaged as adjudicator and has held positions on several committees pertaining to Norwegian musical education and performance. For the Academic year 2006/07 she  was Visiting Professor of Flute at The University of Iowa. She is recently featured in the book by Ewa Murawaka : Gro Sandvik, my life with the Flute. She just finished  6 weeks of full time teaching at Western Michigan University

She has recorded extensively with the Bergen Woodwind Quintet, guitarist Stein-Erik Olsen and pianist Einar Röttingen.

She is an Honorary Member of the Norwegian Flute Society and the Bergen Chamber Music Society. November 2012 she was awarded the King´s Medal of Merit.

“Gro Sandvik has a wonderful “earthly” tone with numerous colours and ways of expression. It is emotional fluteplaying, which makes her able to communicate excellently. The Norwegian composers could not have found a better interpreter of their works ! “      .FLUIT, 2007 – 4

“ Her playing here is exquisite…….. this is a very interesting recording and recommended highly. “  FLUTE TALK    November 2007.