一本道

On a Thursday evening at Campus Valla, as the last lights are switched off in the lecture halls, Musicum fills with voices. For 27-year-old Anton, a student in the Chemical Biology programme, and 27-year-old Elisa Hedin, a research engineer at FOI, Thursdays offer a striking contrast to everyday life. Here, source code, laboratory work, and logical reasoning give way to musical expression, artistic interpretation, and high-level choral singing.

Amid studies, work, and other commitments, they have found a shared sanctuary where a different part of the brain is allowed to take centre stage.

The Perfect Counterbalance 鈥� Where Logic Meets Sound

In their daily lives, both Anton and Elisa operate in the worlds of technology and science. Anton is in his fourth year of the Chemical Biology programme and will begin a master鈥檚 programme in Industrial Bioprocesses this autumn. Elisa works as a research engineer at FOI after studying Computer Science and Engineering at 尝颈苍办枚辫颈苍驳 University. These are environments characterised by structure, logic, and clear answers. That is precisely why choral singing has become such an important counterbalance.

鈥淚t provides a wonderful sense of community and a welcome break from my studies. Music is much more subjective and open to interpretation. It allows a different part of the brain to work. It is relaxing while also helping you develop and challenge yourself in completely different ways,鈥� says Anton.

Elisa recognises the feeling.

鈥湷⒕辈园烀侗杈辈圆� University Chamber Choir is the closest I have come to singing in a professional choir as an amateur. The musicians here are incredibly skilled. It almost feels as though you get to be a professional musician for one evening every other week.鈥�

The Journey to the Next Musical Challenge

Both Elisa and Anton have roots in the university鈥檚 musical life. For each of them, a desire eventually grew to seek new challenges.

Anton began singing with 尝颈苍办枚辫颈苍驳 University Male Voice Choir. After some time, he wanted to continue developing and sought an ensemble with greater emphasis on individual responsibility and a more advanced repertoire. In spring 2026, he became a member of 尝颈苍办枚辫颈苍驳 University Chamber Choir.

Elisa followed a similar path. When she moved to 尝颈苍办枚辫颈苍驳, she joined 尝颈苍办枚辫颈苍驳 University Women鈥檚 Choir, partly to meet new people and find a musical community in her new city. After a little more than six months, she wanted to challenge herself further and continue developing as a singer.

鈥淚 really wanted to test my limits and sing more advanced choral music. That is why I applied to 尝颈苍办枚辫颈苍驳 University Chamber Choir. At the same time, I still sing with 尝颈苍办枚辫颈苍驳 University Women鈥檚 Choir, which means I get the best of two very different choirs.鈥�

Behind Every Concert Lies Personal Responsibility

Singing in an ensemble at this level requires both musical ability and discipline. The audition includes ear-training tests and sight-reading. However, the work continues long after the audition if you are accepted. Because the choir rehearses every other week, each singer is expected to prepare independently.

鈥淚t places quite high demands on each individual to take responsibility and learn the material on their own,鈥� says Anton.

At the same time, Elisa believes it is entirely possible to combine with studies or full-time work.

鈥淚t actually does not require as much time as people might think. If you spend ten minutes a day practising at home, you can get a very long way.鈥�

For her, the transition from student life to full-time employment has required some adjustment.

鈥淚t was easier when I was studying and had greater control over my schedule. Now the days become quite long when rehearsals continue late into the evening, but it is absolutely worth it.鈥�

When Music Becomes Greater Than Words

As the conversation turns to memorable choir experiences, it becomes clear how important music is to both of them.

For Elisa, her first concert with the chamber choir remains the strongest memory. The programme featured music by Alfred Schnittke, performed in a packed Vreta Kloster Church.

鈥淚 joined the choir in the middle of the rehearsal period, and the music was incredibly difficult, sometimes with as many as 25 parts coming together to create extraordinary soundscapes. The acoustics in the church are fantastic. That was when I truly became hooked. It almost felt like watching a Gripen fighter aircraft take off 鈥� the ground seemed to vibrate, and you could feel the music throughout your entire body.鈥�

She also highlights the collaboration with Stockholm Chamber Choir in 尝颈苍办枚辫颈苍驳 Cathedral.

鈥淭o sing in the cathedral and hear the reverberation lingering for several seconds is a kind of euphoria that is almost impossible to describe.鈥�

For Anton, who is newer to the ensemble, the Academic Gala Concert at Katedralskolan remains the most memorable experience so far.

鈥淲hen we performed our encore, I truly felt that this had gone well and that it was something I was proud of. Being able to perform for the university and feel that what we do really matters made a strong impression on me.鈥�

The sense of community is also an important part of the experience. Dinners, social activities, and concert tours to destinations including Germany and Scotland create strong bonds that further strengthen the choir鈥檚 musical work.

鈥淕o for It鈥�

Looking ahead, both Elisa and Anton hope the choir will continue to develop while maintaining its high artistic standards. They emphasise that choral singing is not only about technical skill but also about conveying something meaningful together. For anyone considering applying to 尝颈苍办枚辫颈苍驳 University Chamber Choir, they have a clear message:

鈥淕o for it. Don鈥檛 be afraid to apply.鈥�

鈥淵ou have nothing to lose by trying. If nothing else, you will gain a clear understanding of where you stand musically,鈥� says Elisa.

鈥淧repare for the audition, attend it, and do your best. And show commitment 鈥� that is just as important as singing in tune. Be brave and apply,鈥� says Anton.