About Torekällberget, May 10, 2023
On May 10, 2023, when the open-air museum Torekällberget in Södertälje was transformed into a musical time machine, preschool children got to discover the fascinating psalmodikon. Despite a shy start, their faces soon lit up with joy as they themselves created music with this historical instrument.
On May 10, Rolf Siwertz and I were invited to play for the children at Torekällberget, the open-air museum in Södertälje. There were two groups of preschool children who got to learn a little about the psalmodikon but above all to hear how it sounds. Initially, the children were shy, and Rolf and I decided to play something we thought they would surely recognize, "Gubben Noak." But none of the children showed that they had heard that song before. However, when we realized that it is the same melody as "Björnen sover," everyone knew what song it was. We asked if anyone wanted to try playing, but initially, no one raised their hand. However, the hesitation quickly disappeared, and soon everyone had tried moving the bow over the string, and there was great joy in being able to "make" music.