You and an ensemble from Musikhögskolan Ingesund traditionally played during the Polar Music Prize earlier this week.
Where and when did you play in connection to the award ceremony?
“We played at the beginning of the red carpet outside the Grand Hotel as all the guests arrived, from 4:00 PM and for a good hour until the royal family arrived.
How did it feel to play for all of Sweden’s music elite, as well as for the award winners and other musicians who flew in?
“It was an incredibly cool and fun experience. We were a bit nervous, as one can be when you’re about to play for so many really skilled musicians, but as soon as we started playing together, it felt great.”
What did you play?
“We played songs by previous laureates of the Polar Music Prize, including Patti Smith, Paul McCartney, Joni Mitchell, ABBA, and also a song by one of this year’s laureates, Nile Rodgers.
How was the response from the audience?
“Many of the guests sang along and danced while we played. We also received a big round of applause from the people who had gathered around the enclosure to watch those walking on the red carpet.”
Have you developed a taste for it; do you want to play again next year if you get asked?
“I would say that we definitely developed a taste for it; it was really an amazing experience and it would certainly be fun to do it again!
Participants in the Polar Music Prize ensemble:
Vocals - Fanny Andersson (Music teacher Programme, vocals jazz), Guitar - Simon Sidén (Music Teacher Programme, folk music/guitarr), Violin - Alma Strang Brydevall (College Music Programme/Ingesund Folk Music High School), Electric Bass - Maja Strömberg (Music Teacher Programme/jazz, electric bass, Drums - Christoffer Eriksson (Music Teacher Programme/jazz, drums).
The Polar Music Prize was founded in 1989 by the late Stig ‘Stikkan’ Anderson, one of the true greats in the history of popular music. As a publisher, lyricist, and manager for ABBA, he played a key role in their enormous success. The name of the prize originates from Anderson’s legendary record company, Polar Music.
The Polar Music Prize is one of the world’s most prestigious and unique music awards, transcending musical boundaries and awarded to individuals, groups, and institutions in recognition of exceptional achievements.
Stig ‘Stikkan’ Anderson has a connection to Ingesund as he began his career with studies in Arvika at Ingesunds folkhögskola, where he also met his future wife Gudrun Rydstedt, originally from Värmland. Marie Ledin, Stig ‘Stikkan’ Anderson’s daughter, who is now the CEO of the Polar Music Prize, has shown great commitment to Ingesund School of Music and has been an honorary doctor at Karlstad University since 2020. For some years now, students from Ingesund School of Music have been playing at the Polar Music Prize.
