I feel deeply thankful that I was accepted - in my childhood - as a singer in the choir at Elsted church near Aarhus in Denmark. For the rehearsal to join the choir, I choose to sing the wonderful Danish song “I Østen stiger solen op,” a song whose gentle melody and sunrise imagery have long been part of the Danish hymn tradition. I remember feeling deep joy when I was accepted as a singer in the choir. It was as if a door into a new musical world had opened for me. When I think back on those moments, I notice how singing created a liberating feeling in my body, mind, and heart, filling me with both calm and energy. Being part of the choir even meant that I earned a little money for singing at Sunday services. Naturally, this gave the singing experience an extra sense of appreciation and responsibility.

In the last couple of years of primary school at Elsted Skole near Aarhus in Denmark, students had the freedom to choose subjects of their own choice, sparking curiosity and growth. Without hesitation, I selected music as my voluntary course. We were just four students who had chosen this voluntary course. Relatively quickly we found out who wanted to do do what. One person had a passion for playing the drums, two other students played the guitar. And I liked to sing. Our sessions buzzed with creativity and camaraderie, blending rhythms and melodies into something uniquely ours. The music teacher stood out as exceptionally skilled and supportive, patiently guiding us and building my confidence to sing with greater freedom and presence - thereby turning those afternoons into treasured memories of discovery and self-expression.

Growing up in Denmark, a radio program once a week between 5 and 6 PM filled that afternoon in the 1980s with beloved songs. I eagerly tuned into the program - listening to favorite tracks that flowed freely, capturing the energy of youth and discovery. With a cassette recorder I captured some of those songs and played them later - singing along passionately with the bands. This solitary joy soon evolved into shared excitement when I stepped up as DJ at a couple of events, carefully curating playlists that wove together diverse sounds to unite crowds in celebration. Those moments taught me music's power to bridge people, turning strangers into friends through a perfectly timed beat or lyric. Later on, digital platforms brought fresh delight, amplifying that communal spirit online. On sites like blip.fm and my Open Spotify profile, I shared tracks that moved me - sparking conversations and connections that transformed personal listening into vibrant, global exchanges.

A good friend of my mother, Hans Holst, an entrepreur from Thorsager, played the organ. Hans inspired me to take up the instrument myself and begin organ lessons. Over several years, I immersed myself in an organ course at Fangel Music School in Aarhus, Denmark - first at its location on Nørregade and later at Banegårdsgade just next to the Aarhus main station. The teacher, Max Petersen, patiently guided me through the complexities of manuals and pedals. He even encouraged us young amateur musicians to perform at an annual Yamaha Music Festival held at the prestigious Musikhuset Aarhus, an experience I cherished through three participations. I felt particularly strong joy knowing that both of my parents, who were divorced, attended the wonderful Yamaha event to cheer me and my fellow junior musicians on. As my skills grew in my teenage years, I sometimes played for guests who came to the home of my mother and me. 

Over the years, frequent moves motivated by studies and work opportunities made it increasingly impractical to continue transporting my organ. It led me to discover the guitar, which quickly became a much lighter and more spontaneous companion. Learning to play it felt like entering a new creative landscape - one where music could unfold anywhere. A really good guitar teacher, I had during a period of time, played a key role in this transformation. With patience and enthusiasm, he introduced me to a wide range of songs, rhythms, and expressive techniques - from gentle fingerstyle patterns to rhythmic strumming. This encouraged joy and playfulness in my learning journey. Not long after that, blending guitar playing with singing seemed to emerge naturally, and I discovered a fascinating sensation intertwining voice and strings in harmony.

In Switzerland friend of mine, who also plays the guitar, and I occasionally visit health centers to play and sing for / with elderly residents - including people who live with dementia. These visits have become warm, meaningful gatherings where music sparks smiles, stories, and memories. For example, I experienced that a familiar song can awaken energy and emotional connection in the hearts of elderly people. It is beautiful to experience such reactions. Through these experiences, I learned that singing can support people with dementia quite well - not only by uplifting mood and improving social engagement, but also by enriching daily life with moments of shared presence and humanity. I have also come to notice that the natural body movements, which often arise when people listen to music and sing, do more than express joy. They help maintain muscle activity, coordination, and physical vitality. I am also learning that music does more than the mind and heart. It strengthens the body as well.

Feeling drawn to the soul-stirring harmonies and heartfelt messages of love woven into gospel music, I sang with two gospel choirs in Zürich for a few years - first Gospel Colors Zürich and later Gospelchor Albisrieden. Each rehearsal felt, I recall, like entering a space filled with warmth and openness, where voices, hearts, and stories intertwined. Before our singing began, there were often bursts of laughter and lively exchanges about daily happenings; and when the first chords sounded, a sense of unity and purpose took over. Singing gospel has a unique bonding effect. The rhythms, harmonies, and affirming lyrics act like threads that connect people beyond words. I often sensed that, regardless of background or belief, everyone in the choir shared a desire to express love and hope through music. I remember moments when the power of our voices blending together was so uplifting that it brought tears to my eyes. Those moments reminded me how music can heal, strengthen, and reawaken gratitude. What I also recall with joy are the chats after rehearsals - enjoying a cup of coffee and sharing reflections. These experiences taught me how deeply music can shape community and offer a sense of belonging. I carry that gratitude with me still, inspired whenever I hear or sing a gospel tune that celebrates love, faith, and the joyful essence of being human.

Discovering karaoke apps such as Smule (https://www.smule.com/frankcalberg) marked a transformative moment, empowering me to live out my love for singing in flexible, personal ways. When an urge to sing strikes, I dive into the app, searching for a beloved song and exploring user-created versions that catch my ear with their unique flair or emotional depth. What truly captivates me is joining duets with singers from around the world. Our voices intertwine across continents, creating spontaneous harmonies that feel intimate and electric, turning a solo moment into a shared celebration of melody and expression. Beyond the music, Smule sometimes fosters connections. For example, I cherish the chats that sometimes unfold afterward, exchanging encouragement through playful emoticons, and words of praise that build a supportive network of fellow enthusiasts. It is this blend of performance and camaraderie that keeps me returning - feeling uplifted and inspired. Among my all-time favorites is "Wind Beneath My Wings," a timeless ballad whose soaring lyrics and tender melody never fail to stir my soul, evoking gratitude and resilience with every note I sing.

As I like using technology, I sometimes experiment with the ways to create music by using what is already there and creating something new. Here are two examples:

For some time, I have been participating in Open Space Stimme events held at a Zürich Opera House rehearsal location. This inspiring initiative offers a welcoming environment where anyone can playfully explore and develop their voice across diverse musical styles - without performance pressure or the need for prior experience. The sessions foster an inclusive atmosphere that invites everyone to move, experiment, and express themselves freely. Participants can shift to any musical part that feels right - whether soprano, alto, tenor, or bass - aligning body posture and voice to unlock authentic self-expression. This openness and freedom mirror, I find, life’s call to harmonize physical presence with inner rhythm, enhancing focus, flow, and a sense of grounded ease.

Through this embodied voice work, practitioners build spatial awareness and adaptability - skills that translate naturally into navigating relationships with greater authenticity and confidence. What begins as playful singing often evolves into resonant communication for daily interactions, professional facilitation, and heartfelt conversation. Breathing exercises and holistic bodywork form an essential part of these gatherings. By releasing tension through mindful breathing and movement, participants cultivate vocal freedom and emotional balance. These practices extend beyond singing, offering valuable tools for stress management and mindful living.  Ultimately, the Open Space Stimme  events weave, I find, voice, body, and awareness into an integrated practice - strengthening presence, self-expression, and relational harmony, and turning the voice into a bridge between inner wisdom and purposeful living.