About life

Almost everyday, during the past month, I have had conversations about the big things in life, related to music and faith in most cases. The students at the college are preparing themselves for their place in life after school. America's place in world politics affects everybody in different ways. European and american worship music is building bridges between cultures, but for some reason sometimes building walls instead. So many topics have been discussed the past weeks and I have met so many wise people who make me grow as a person.

The 55 swedes who visited from Stockholm Gospelchoir festival turned out to be a very mixed group and I found myself discussing everything from holy spirit quickstep to communion-to-go. Very refreshing. New York is always full of surprises and it is both fun and educating to experience them with friends.

The students at the college have showed me that the young american generation have a lot more interest in what's going on in the rest of the world, than I thought before coming here. I will blog separately about that.

Find music

I have noticed in the last weeks emails that there are some who have been reading my blog, but not knowing so much about the music I do. It is encouraging for me, of course, to communicate with so many different kinds of people! But I am sorry that I don't take time to describe everything about Praise Unit and other things I do in every email response.

So today I just want to inform (for new listeners) that Praise Units music, and some music I have done with other artists, is available in all your usual places -Spotify, iTunes, Amazon and so on. Sheets can be ordered from my website, and some other places.

We are also on Youtube and here is a little sample:

Home nr 1

I think home is where my family is. Before we had children Thorine and I lived in New York, and that became our second home. Then I have have spent so much time with people in Germany, made many close friends and now my wife and daughters have many friends there too. So Germany is also a second home. Then we lived in Spain two years ago, and that became our second home. What will be the next second home? Norway? Russia? Pennsylvania? Somewhere in Asia?

Maybe from now on we will just stay in Örebro forever? I don't know what will happen. For me traveling or not traveling is not the most important. The important thing is go where God wants me, and to be convinced that Thorine agrees. I hope that we all will go back to Lancaster, PA, as a family. So that I can introduce my girls to all my new friends over there. We will have so much fun together, and I am so inspired to be more involved in the college. I want my daughters to see a place like LBC, and how they can grow there. And I want to be part of making the current LBC students grow as musicians and leaders.

But right now I am going to give in to jet lag and just enjoy being in home nr 1. Here!

More

I have so many little stories that I started writing for this blog, but never finished. So I will continue blogging about my month in the US, even though I write from Sweden.

Praise Unit music

I was of course curious about if and how the Praise Unit music would be received amongst the people I have met the past month in America. When I do my choir workshops in Europe I usually do a simpler style of gospel. The more different(?) style that Praise Unit performs is maybe more difficult to understand.

But the Praise Unit songs have actually given me many new friends. Jon from Washington D.C. drove up to have a chat with me, which I loved of course, and I know I will see him again. Artists from the conference weekend in Philly stay in touch with me and I am inspired to learn about new possibilities through working with people who are already in this music industry. Some of the students at the college seemed into the PU groove too, and that lead to some interesting conversations.

So I hope the next Praise Unit US tour is not far away. :) 

Kyle's corner

Soon I am heading for the airport and the plane that takes me back to my family! I can't wait to see them!!!

One of my last missions here was a radio interview I did in Philadelphia yesterday. The radio station found Praise Unit's music and want to spread it on the US east coast.

If the interview becomes available online I will try to remember to post it on my Facebook page and my website. It is part of a series of interviews called Kyle's corner.

Go west

Today I was reunited with Mia, who took over the choir in Salem after I left New York in 2001. She moved with her husband to western Pennsylvania and is now doing a great job with the music in her church. Last time we met Stella was ten months old, which means it's been eleven years. But we were catching up fast.

I did a workshop in her church, where I taught some of my songs and shared my european way of doing things. The room was full of singers and we had a lot of fun. Of course I work in different ways with things in the US, compared to the european countries. For example, I don't have to teach them how to annunciate the english words.

Today grandmothers were singing with their granddaughters and every generation in between. The variety of age groups also added to the nice atmosphere in the choir.

Going places

Yesterday I heard a great sermon from pastor Cole in Salem, my american church, where I was challenged to add my own life´s story as another chapter in the story of Christ. Big words, but that's a challenge that Jesus gave us.

This morning I celebrated the resurrection of Christ with Hezekiah Walker and his church in New York. Now I am back in Lancaster, and tomorrow I go to Pittsburgh to work with singers that are invited by Mia, a friend from my old Salem days. Lots of traveling, and it's quality time. But first some sleep...

Stupid

I don't use a lot of bible quotes or typical christian language when I talk to people, or write messages, like this blog. For me that is a way of respecting those who have a different faith than myself. But on resurrection day, the day when christians celebrate that Jesus rose from the dead, I feel like going hallelujah over so many things. I am just so happy on this day!

To believe that Jesus rose from the dead is absolutely the most stupid thing you can believe, if you consider logic and science. But that's the whole point. You have to believe, you can not try to understand. And if you consider all the millions of lives that have gone from darkness to light, just by believing this, I wonder why don't everybody give Jesus a chance? Well, I know I simplify things now. Life is harder than that. But I am so glad that I feel in my heart that Jesus is alive!!!

Spring is maybe finally here or hopefully close

Today it was actually warm outside, very warm. But I spent the whole day inside emailing or in my car driving. It was great though. I met Joel from Yonkers for the first time. That is somebody I expect to be a dear friend and who will be involved in the music mission trips that Hanne, Monica, Marlo, Cynthia and others have done such a great job with.

I went to service at Salem (more about that later) had a great dinner with my first ever New York hosts, Larry and Sheryl, and finished the day with speaking about life from small and large perspective's with the friends I'm around right now.

Now I am just a few more hours from celebrating the resurrection together with Hezekiah and the people he invited for his resurrection services.

Can you spare a quarter?

Before I forget must share one of those experiences you only get in New York. You know every bigger city has its share of beggars. Most of us are used to seeing them sitting on a street corner. Some of them walk around with a cup and ask everybody they meet to spare a quarter. They can wait at a bust stop or walk through a subway train or walk up to the cars in an intersection, or be more creative than that. Yesterday I saw something new. The beggar himself was just sitting on the sidewalk with a cup in his hand saying nothing. But there was a woman next to him, dressed in a pretty classy dress, who walked up to every passing pedestrian asking if anybody could break down a five dollar bill so that she could give money to the beggar.

I'm like... ????

Swedish blessing

Some swedish friends are in Brooklyn for six months, and that's where I am staying now. Jakob, who some of you know from Praise Unit and his wife Anna, who some of you have seen direct Joybells, and Edward and Klara from my church in Örebro. Right now Edward and Klara (and their little baby) is not here so there's room for two other visiting swedish friend, myself, plus Karina from Russia, who lives in San Diego with her American husband now. Again it is a blessing to be reminded of the global family in Christ!

Last night I was almost part of a choir rehearsal where Anna was going to teach an american choir a version of the Lord's blessing in swedish. Unfortunately it was cancelled. Instead me, Jakob and Karin went to a club in Manhattan where a 75 yo lady and the gospel queens of Brooklyn where singing gospel songs backed up by a 60's rhythm and blues band. Nice!!! 

Melting pot

They call New York a "melting pot" of cultures, ideas, opinions, traditions, and so on, and that's very true! A melting pot is usually hot though, and New York is anything but hot right now. I wonder if that white witch from the C.S. Lewis book about Narnia is driving around the streets of Manhattan in a yellow cab and turning everything into winter?

Amish break

I pause from life in the Amish Lancaster area to celebrate Easter in New York. It started with nostalgia last night. I met the choir from my old church, and was part of the choir practice. It was so awesome to see so many of my old friends still in the choir. Many things sounded and looked new to me when they rehearsed their songs. That's because I refer to when I was the choir director. But the changes were good though, really amazing actually.

Brooke, who could barely speak when I worked at the church, was now one of the leading soloists. And in front of everybody with the guitar and a great voice was Jonathan, who (back in the day) was the little kid talented enough to hang with us older cats in the Coffee House band. Him, Jessica and Kirsten have found brilliant ways to work with the worship music, and I think the journey this church has made over the years should influence many of us.

I spent the night in my friend Crescendo's house. He just came in the room and he says hello to all blog readers. Hopefully I will be with him in Spain soon. He's a great soul singer that speaks perfect spanish and knows how to teach.

Late night jam

When school was over yesterday I went to "The Trust", the concert hall that is a part of campus. I listened to some ensemble recitals, which I really enjoyed. One group played a song we only play for Christmas in Sweden, which was appropriate since winter never wants to give up here. After that Dan and Lynn took some of us to dinner, and after that we ended up jamming in the chapel. Karina from Russia, who lives in California, but know some students from the spanish gospel camp in Toral is here to visit. Her and I and Sissy and Jamie from the college took the opportunity last night to get lost in some new versions of songs we did in Toral. I should have been packing for my next New York trip, but when music calls you gotta go! Earth without art is just eh...

Surrounded by God

I am right now at Bennee's, the college cafeteria. They always play Christian worship music here. Often you see students doing their homework on for example Psalms or Christian music history and such things. Teachers sometimes meet here with their students to discuss a class, or talk about life or pray together. For me it's so different to be in an environment where everything is so focused on God and the gospel. I love it! There is just nothing not to love about that! I guess the things you can argue about and question is what happens if this becomes the only world you know. Because most places in the world are not like this. But right now I enjoy being in this.

My daughters in their church group

This is one of the things I watch when I long for my family. All the kids are great!

Some pictures

The great singer and songwriter Joy Ike!

My friends from Salem, Staten Island, NY.

A sign at the exit of a supermarket in Ephrata. Not many places in this world 

where you can express your message like this in public.

The Good Shepherd Chapel minutes before Lancaster Worships begins.

The swedish gospel choir under direction of Anki Spångberg, with Anaysha Figueroa on lead.

Philly conference

That is Israel Houghton video recording me with his phone, while I record him and we are listening to his song. Next to Israel is Donald Lawrence, Erica Campbell, Warryn Campbell and Isaac Carree.  

Some funny american things

Things that I never stop smiling at when I come to the US:

- Toilet paper smells like soap.
- Slow drivers drive in the left lane.
- Employees must wash hands. What if you're an intern? What if you're a volunteer worker? I just need to know who has to wash their hands and who does not.

To be continued...

Connecting with New York

Some friends from my old church, Salem, in New York came to visit the other day. They visited the world famous Sight & Sound theatre (where my little sister once were part of the ensemble) and took me out to lunch the day after. We were remembering the good old days, which in this case means when I was part of the UTOPIA team that pastor Overgaard founded about 15 years ago in Salem. Later this week I will go there to celebrate Easter.

I keep saying that it is such a blessing to have friends in many places, and I think I will never stop saying that. 

Recording inspiration

Today I lead a masterclass in composing with Logic on Mac computers from 10-16 (that's 4PM for my american friends). This is an area where this college still has a lot to learn. Not that they can not do it now, but it seems like there is still some time before it dawns on the college as a whole what an incredible tool this is to record ideas, get new inspiration, find other musical solutions and so on. yesterday evening I was so impressed about how advanced everything was at the concert. I hope and pray that they will continue to develop the computer lab with the same enthusiasm as they do the other classes.

But I had a great time with the students today. In a short time some brilliant ideas came about and of course started a process of creativity in the minds of these gifted students. I was glad to see how they had fun with the software and plug-ins, but also how they dug deeper into their own musicality.

 

How did it go?

The only thing missing right now is the midnight meal. A big steak with a spicy sauce and all the sides you can eat after a concert in the middle of night is the best! But this time it will be leftovers at the house as I prepare for tomorrow's composition class.

Anyway, the important thing to share now is that the event I have been writing about is now over, and it went as well as I could possibly imagine. I have seen bits and pieces during the week when the students have rehearsed and rearranged the stage. But to see it all come together was amazing! First I enjoyed three different bands leading us in songs they had selected for the evening, and at the end we did our four songs. My new song, that was presented for the first time ever tonight, was performed very well by the singers and musicians and I loved listening to them.

There was a sand artist there too, which was something I did not know existed. But if you ever get the chance, check it out. This girl in particular was awesome!

A funny thing was to hear a worship song written by Jonas Myrin, who grew up in the same church as myself in Sweden. It's a small world. 

All the blessings

Four teams from the college work together to present the life of Christ from birth to resurrection. This is Lancaster Worships, that I mentioned earlier. I have the privilege of being with the Chapel choir, and we do the last part of the story. The students work hard to put everything together, not only musically, but in every other aspect. There are video presentations, stage props, light and sound that is far more advanced than what we are used to at similar european events. It is really a blessing for a country to have so many people who want to do good things to spread the good news. For me it's a blessing to learn about all the things you can do with resources like these. I try to often talk about that the american youth need to remember to be grateful for what they have and use it wisely. Lancaster Worships will be an evening where the resources of this school and the gifts of the students are used wisely!

Lancaster worships

Tomorrow is "Lancaster Worships"! The Chapel choir I have been working with here will do the premiere performance of a song I just wrote. I wrote it for a special person, but he/she does not know it yet. It sounds great and I am excited that they wanted to do my song at this special event.

Last night we had band rehearsal. Billy, who coordinates things together with Alicia, has a great way of leading the band, and I learned a lot about how they do things here at the college when they practice. I was also working with the musicians, and it felt like we made great music together, which is good for the event tomorrow.

More New York and Germany

I've been back in Lancaster for a couple of days, but there is more to say about last weekend in New York. I think it was the first time I was with a european group in New York, without being one of the leaders. Technically I did take some responsibility, but everything was already well organized from my friends at the Stockholm Gospel festival.

At one time I was talking to the swedes about when I visited a catholic church in the south of Germany. I remember that at that church I had to accept that God presented himself in a way I could not understand. Because I did not understand the language, the format of the service was unusual for me and it was difficult for me to understand why we did certain things in the service. But I noticed that many people were blessed by it.

In Brooklyn last weekend we were also at a service where I had to accept that God presented himself in a way that was too different for me. The swedish group sang two songs in the service, right after the local worship team had done a few songs with us. The worship team sounded great and they were very good at leading us in music before Christ. Then the swedish singers did one of their best performances on the trip, under direction of Magnus and Anki. After that I did not understand what happened in the service. But I am still glad that I did not let that confuse me too much.

We have different ways of expressing what we believe in. Atheists like to say that religion causes war, conflicts, division and so on. But that's not true. Some people, usually men with lust for power, use religion as an excuse to manipulate, argue, fight and destroy. But that's done by people, not God. It will always be like that. Therefore it is good to be remembered that those of us who believe that there is a God also need to be aware that we have different ways of understanding God's presence in the world and in our hearts. 

I wish I had somebody to...

...give Him some praise in this room right now!!!

A lot of phrases like this were shared with us today as we had gospel Sunday in New York. Me and the other 55 swedes visited some of my "usual" churches. That means churches I love to visit on a Sunday and where I have celebrated worship services with many groups from Europe.

We went to three churches in one day, which can be a shock if your not familiar with this culture. What I am talking about is the style of worship in the african american churches we visited. The swedish people were on this trip to learn more about this, and they seemed inspired, more than shocked. But of course there were the usual doubts, for example with the loud volume on the sound system, and the length of the worship songs. I know many of you who read this know very well what I mean.

Personally I enjoy the differences in our cultures. It means that diversity is a part of the plan for the creation. I don't think we can or are supposed to understand each other always, but we are supposed to enjoy each others differences and learn about the different ways that God can be manifested through His people.

Tomorrow I get up early to go to my other home in Lancaster and have early choir practice. As I lay down to sleep tonight, I feel blessed. God never stops putting me in situations where there are wonderful people and great music. I wish I could have somebody who would just...

Home

There are many places I call home, and New York is one of them. Since thursday I am back in the city where once was music minister for a year. This time I am here with 50 swedes who learn about gospel music. I know many of my german friends know exactly what I am talking about.

This trip is organized by Svenska Gospelverkstaden, former Stockholm Gospelchoir festival, and this means of course that some dear homies are here. We have visited Greater Allen (I never miss a chance to go there) and today we had a great rehearsal in Harlem. I know Magnus and Anki want to bring that choir director to Sweden. She was great in many ways, and I do hope she also goes to other european countries.

Unfortunately the internet is not so good at this hotel (either) so I am still slow in communicating with the rest of the world. Sorry about that.

April 1st

In Sweden and the USA (and probably more countries) yesterday was April fool's day. I did not post anything here, in case you would not know if it was a joke or not. But I had a lot of good jokes that I would have liked to try on you. :)

My friend Dan, from the college, has his birthday on April fool's day. I had a lot of jokes for him too, but since he invited me for dinner and I was served such a great meal from his wife Lynn, I kept the jokes to myself. Don't mess with the host. There were more people at the birthday party. Marine, a girl from one of "my" cities in Spain, among others. That added to a great evening.

What I really should have written about monday was my experience with the choir at the college. I was lucky, because there was an extra three hour rehearsal in the evening, on top of what we did in the morning. Maybe the students did not think this was luck, but for me it was great, because during three hours it was possible for me to learn a few things about their voices and personalities which helps me a lot in preparation for the big concert next week.

The choir was "bribed" with pizza and soda. Such an american experience, if you ask me, to stuff yourself with pizza and soda before a three hour choir practice. :) It worked out fine, in spite of the pizza, and in my opinion it was an evening of both great fellowship and great music. Many really good singers in the choir, which makes me curious about challenging them with some difficult stuff.