Welcome to Ingesund School of Music

Pursuing doctoral studies is often described as climbing Mount Parnassus, the divine mountain where the well‑educated were allowed to gather according to Greek mythology. Earning a doctorate is hard work and at times quite a solitary existence, often an uphill climb that stretches over several years. But what is it like to pursue a doctorate in music? Two teachers at Ingesund School of Music are doctoral candidates at the School of Music in Piteå, which belongs to Luleå University of Technology, and they have now reached the halfway point in their studies.

What made you decide to begin doctoral studies?

“Much of it was due to the pandemic,” says Ann Elkjär, flute teacher. “Before that, I had taught half‑time for many years at Ingesund and freelanced as a musician the rest of the time. During the pandemic, all concerts were cancelled, but then the opportunity arose to pursue a PhD half‑time at the School of Music in Piteå at Luleå University of Technology. Also, there aren’t that many teachers with a PhD at Ingesund, and that competence is needed for teaching in our music programmes.”

Playing an instrument has always been a given for Jakob Rolandsson, as he comes from a musical family. The realization that he wanted to work professionally with music came after music high school and graduation. After many years of studying at a folk high school, Ingesund School of Music, and the Royal Danish Academy of Music, he is now a freelance musician in classical music, folk music, and jazz.

At home in Kungsbacka, where Jakob Rolandsson grew up, music was always present. With a father who was a cantor and singer, and a mother and siblings who were very interested in music, social life often revolved around making music.

Do you want to study voice with a focus on contemporary vocal expression and digital interactive musical instruments? This is possible if you pursue a master’s degree in classical singing at Ingesund School of Music.

Carl Unander-Scharin, Professor of Musical Performance with a specialization in classical singing at Ingesund School of Music, has developed instruments such as The Vocal Chorder, The Throat, and The Charged Room in collaboration with Åsa Unander-Scharin. Under Carl’s guidance, you will conduct your own explorations and experiments with digital interactive musical instruments, thereby developing as an artist and singer. You will also receive voice lessons within the main instrument courses as well as ensemble instruction.

Kauresearch is the university’s Instagram account dedicated to research information. For the third year in a row, the themed week Kau Science Week is held at the same time as the Nobel Week.

Kau Science Week is mainly featured on the Kauresearch account. Posts will be published every day throughout the week, drawing attention to researchers and research at Karlstad University. The posts will be accompanied by stories and hashtags for further reading or listening. In addition, the university’s main accounts on Facebook, Instagram och LinkedIn will highlight parts of the content.

Even though the snow is still missing, Christmas is approaching, and at Ingesund School of Music preparations are underway for the school’s traditional Christmas concert at Arvika Sports Hall. A festive atmosphere framed by a charitable cause, inspired by the prominent visit of Musikhjälpen at Stora Torget in Karlstad, is promised.

Is there a special theme for Ingesund’s Christmas concert this year?

…you are enrolled in the Master’s Programme in Music and the Bachelor’s Programme in Music at Ingesund School of Music. This past weekend, you took home first and second prize in the prestigious Anders Wall Music Prize 2025. Congratulations! What do these achievements mean for your future careers?

"Winning Anders Wall’s Music Prize feels both fantastic and almost unreal, says Sebastian Iivonen, student in the Artistic Master’s Programme in Music. I am deeply honored to receive such a significant and prestigious award and scholarship, and to stand alongside the other inspiring Anders Wall scholarship recipients. This distinction means an incredible amount for my future career as a concert pianist – not only because the prize carries such impressive weight and tradition, but also because it brings recognition to young musicians in a way that truly makes a difference.