You and an ensemble from Musikh枚gskolan Ingesund traditionally played during the Polar Music Prize earlier this week.
Where and when did you play in connection to the award ceremony?
鈥淲e 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鈥檚 music elite, as well as for the award winners and other musicians who flew in?
鈥淚t was an incredibly cool and fun experience. We were a bit nervous, as one can be when you鈥檙e about to play for so many really skilled musicians, but as soon as we started playing together, it felt great.鈥
What did you play?
鈥淲e 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鈥檚 laureates, Nile Rodgers.
How was the response from the audience?
鈥淢any 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.鈥
Have you developed a taste for it; do you want to play again next year if you get asked?
鈥淚 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 Sid茅n (Music Teacher Programme, folk music/guitarr), Violin - Alma Strang Brydevall (College Music Programme/Ingesund Folk Music High School), Electric Bass - Maja Str枚mberg (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 鈥楽tikkan鈥 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鈥檚 legendary record company, Polar Music.
The Polar Music Prize is one of the world鈥檚 most prestigious and unique music awards, transcending musical boundaries and awarded to individuals, groups, and institutions in recognition of exceptional achievements.
Stig 鈥楽tikkan鈥 Anderson has a connection to Ingesund as he began his career with studies in Arvika at Ingesunds folkh枚gskola, where he also met his future wife Gudrun Rydstedt, originally from V盲rmland. Marie Ledin, Stig 鈥楽tikkan鈥 Anderson鈥檚 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 果冻传媒 since 2020. For some years now, students from Ingesund School of Music have been playing at the Polar Music Prize.
