Loving Life Blog

Spur of the Moment Reflections

A Musical Competition in Perspective October 31, 2016

Filed under: Uncategorized — Johanna C. Nilsson @ 10:07 pm
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Rounding up the “Around the Globe” concert in Las Vegas together with hosting chorus Christchurch City Chorus from New Zealand and featured quartets last night, singing “How we sang” together with the audience, puts this international competition in perspective.

“The summer of 1945 was a time to appreciate being alive. Many longed for the older, gentler days, and one of the things held dearest was music.” This was the time and reason why Sweet Adelines International started.

Today Sweet Adelines International is a highly respected worldwide organization of women singers committed to advancing the musical art form of barbershop harmony through education, competition and performance. This independent, nonprofit music education association is one of the world’s largest singing organizations for women, boasting 23,000 members!

Members extend over five continents and belong to more than 500 choruses and 1,200 quartets. Sweet Adelines choruses and quartets sing exciting a cappella, four-part harmony music, barbershop style.

1997 the nordics got their own region Nordic Light Region – Sweet Adelines International Region #32 with today 18 choruses of which one is prospective, as well as 28 registered quartets, a total of 900 barbershop singers.

Rönninge Show Chorus (RSC) “2014 International Chorus Champions, Sweet Adelines International”, was founded 1983 in Sweden and has today over 155 members in the age range of 18-80.

This is the 10th international competition for RSC, and together with Pearls of the Sound, and five quartets Milli Blink, VocalityQuartet, MACC QuartetTwist Quartet and SVEA, we are now representing region #32 in the internationals in Las Vegas.

Let’s continue to harmonize the world. Thank you Sweet Adelines InternationalChristchurch City Chorus and all singers – past, current and future – around the globe.

Let’s always WIN [focus on What is Important Now 😉 ] !

– Johanna C. Nilsson, Management Team – Marketing, Rönninge Show Chorus

Rönninge Show Chorus PRESS KIT (Official)

 

If singing barbershop is a sport? September 22, 2016

Filed under: Promotion — Johanna C. Nilsson @ 10:44 pm
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RSC holds the title “2014 International Chorus Champions, Sweet Adelines International”, with the highest international score in history.

You bet. And we are going back to the US to protect our* gold medal. Would you like a sneak peek into the Rönninge Show Chorus (RSC) Entertainment Package for the 70th Annual International Barbershop Competition held in Las Vegas in October?

Here below is a short one. Come see our dress rehearsal where we will perform it all for the first time – October 2nd 2016 in Nacka Aula, Sweden. Participating will also be other competing quartets: Milli Blink, MACC, Vocality, SVEA, as well as the brilliant London based musical theatre artist Niklas Asknegård (prev. Andersson). Moderator is Johnny Sundin. Shortcut to tickets and more information: https://ronninge-show-chorus-las-vegas-genrep.confetti.events/

[As a side note – one of the fascinating facts about this one is that the gal in center, singing the solo, spent the whole summer QUIET; not knowing if she would have her voice back or not after a vocal cord operation. She is also a speech therapist…Sofia Hägg.]

Rönninge Show Chorus (RSC) is a world-class competitive female barbershop chorus formed 1983 in Rönninge, Sweden. With over 155 members, spanning ages 18-80, they perform four-part harmony chorus music in concerts, competitions and at corporate events. RSC has been fostering and educating singers nationally and internationally ever since. RSC holds the title “2014 International Chorus Champions, Sweet Adelines International”, with the highest international score in history. http://www.ronningeshow.com

*You’re right – it’s their gold medal. When RSC won gold in Hawaii I watched the live stream from San Francisco. Personally, I haven’t been on this stage in almost 20 years. This is the 10th time the chorus competes internationally – my 3rd. 1995 we placed 2nd in New Orleans, and 1998 5th in Nashville. A they say – third time has the charm.

Welcome to Nacka Aula October 2nd!

 

When Ellen met Elias. “OMG” January 26, 2014

Filed under: Inspiration,Loving Life — Johanna C. Nilsson @ 7:23 pm
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A TV guest that won’t be forgotten – and a video snippet you would not want to miss. When Ellen met Elias.

I encourage all of us to “do an Elias” per day. Just blurb your excitement out! And if we can identify what we are awesome at, just like Elias – that would be amazing.

Be yourself. Be different, and cool. Be inspired.

Johanna

 

Digging Gold in the USA November 8, 2013

At some point it’s time to stop counting the years… But it’s 18 years ago that I travelled with Rönninge Show Chorus for the first time to compete in the international barbershop contest. 120 of the 150 choir members came along. My mom joined as our medical doctor. The big arena in New Orleans was the stage.

We had trained hard, been coached by the best, and our own musical director was one of them: Britt-Heléne Bonnedahl. Later on she was the winner of the Lifetime Achievement Award from Sweet Adeline International. Another one was a male coach who had trained world class golf players. [visualization!] We got judged in four categories: sound, music, expression and showmanship.

One song from the final package was “One moment in time”, originally sang by Whitney Houston. When I hear that song today my mind is still triggered and I have straightened my spine for performance before I realize it is that music playing. Another show tune was “Gräva guld i USA”. The World Cup tune for the Swedish men’s soccer team 1994 – Digging Gold in the USA.

The soccer team came third. The choir came second. This year… may they get the gold. Last but not least in the final tomorrow in Hawaii.

Johanna
(And yes, I shared this on Facebook – so it is a back-date post… )

 

Whirl Open – My Way September 28, 2013

Intentional Art by Johanna Nilsson - Workshop by Donna Marchesano

I had the pleasure of being invited to do a 3 hour intentional art workshop with artist Donna Marchesano. Her program Wellness4Art launched this past Sunday with the opening of her art exhibition “Courage to Create”, September 22 – December 31, 2013 at Dolce Amore, 1477 Van Ness (and Pine), San Francisco.

Donna herself has a unique story to share, where daily intentional art for 6 years has been key to the cure of her severe Crohn’s Disease and through the journey of chemotherapy and healing from Cancer. Given her own experience, she is a strong believer in intentional art – whether you are wanting to cure from a disease, wanting to change or manifest something in your life. And me – I love her art, I find her story fascinating, I wish for more patients to find the path that she has taken, and I love to try the creative process – with intention. The fact that I also have been working for 8 years in a pharmaceutical company, for the majority of time dedicated to managing the finances for the development of a drug for Chron’s Disease, doesn’t make me less connected to her story.

I put together  a little video showing the process. (more…)

 

Don’t Let Me Down! July 10, 2013

Filed under: Inspiration — Johanna C. Nilsson @ 5:02 pm
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A little bit of sharing, and many more faces broken out into smiles.
This is the reason for my current smile.

And yes, Beatles is on the coming repertoire… I didn’t have this particular song on the list – but may change that. It’s a hit!

Enjoy,
Johanna

 

One Footprint Leads To Another May 31, 2013

In the process of writing about Oprah Winfrey’s commencement speach yesterday at Harvard, and a feature of her being one of the most impact ful women who makes a big footprint, I stopped myself. What is most appropriate to say? Making a big footprint? Leaving a big footprint? Expanding the footprint? And yes, it has a double meaning, since we have chosen to feature women with size 10-12 in shoes, for whom LLXLLQ shoes in larger sizes are made. Handmade in Italy.

When researching the terms, I stumbled upon the song “Footprints in the sand”, which called my curiosity. What are the lyrics about? What if the singer of this one has size 10-12 in shoes? It would be so beautiful.

The singer is Leona Lewis, from the UK. She has size 7 in shoes.

The writers of the song are four men, among which Simon Cowell – who you may know as the producer and talent judge in  Pop IdolThe X FactorBritain’s Got Talent and American Idol – as well as David Kreuger. David you may not know, since he mostly chose to stand out of the spotlight, but you most likely know of his music. Because he does leave a big footprint for your ears to enjoy.

This song below is just one of them.

Just a few years ago 😉 , when I was old enough to go to a bar/club in Stockholm – me and one of my best friends Cissie, often went out together. Monday night was the university student night at “Collage” at Östermalm in Stockholm, that started with a taco buffet dinner and then eventually dancing. The dancing was really what we were there for. The DJ was great. He played great music. He was a great person. He often drove us home after closing. He worked as a DJ at night, and a music producer during the day. He produced Britney Spears debut album 1989 and others with other producers at the Cheiron Studio, founded by Denniz PoP. Since 2000 he has his own music production company: A Side Productions , with another impressive list of artists and songs.

All of which has expanded the musical footprint of Sweden, which is leading me home. Home to Sweden, to David, and his wife – one of my best friends…

Cissie: I won’t be there in a week, but HAPPY 40th BIRTHDAY!!! Keep dancing!

Love,

Johanna

What footprint do you want to leave in the sand…?

 

Goodnight Sweetheart… May 15, 2013

Filed under: Uncategorized — Johanna C. Nilsson @ 9:09 am
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The power of music.

 

Love, me. March 29, 2013

This morning, I was talking to the world. And the world started talking back to me.

Both of us were lonely, a little angry. Both of us looking for a friend.

We were saying how we’d never be alone again.

All I heard was two little words: love, me. Love, me. Love, me.

And that the end of the note, that I wrote to the world:

Can you here me? Are you listening?

Love me.

These are the first lines from one song on the U.S. debut by Swedish singer Anna Bergendahl. On the record label Decca Records website you can read: (more…)

 

One Thing Leads to Another February 6, 2013

Filed under: coaching,Inspiration — Johanna C. Nilsson @ 10:32 am
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There is a hidden gem in San Francisco called Jazz in the Basement. That’s what it is. And it’s the best jazz, in a very intimate setting, and with a very friendly ambiance. The singer Jesse Foster and his wife Michele host one concert every month with top notch musicians.

Just about a year ago in conversation with the pianist, we started talking about Swedish music – there was this one tune he knew… I sent him something else to listen to… and one thing led to another. (more…)

 

 
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