Nordic Psalmodikon Association

Nordiska Psalmodikonförbundet (the Nordic Psalmodikon Association) is a music association founded in 1993 at a psalmodikon gathering in Däldenäs, Skagen, Denmark. Its stated mission is the preservation of the psalmodikon tradition in the Nordic countries and the world. The psalmodikon is a long, narrow stringed instrument, usually with a single string, played mainly with a bow and using numerical notation rather than standard musical notation, which made it easy for anyone to learn to play hymns during the 19th century. The instrument was popularized by Johan Dillner. The association emerged from a movement that began holding psalmodikon playing gatherings (spelstämmor) in 1986. At its founding meeting in 1993, a board was elected with Rodney Sjöberg as chairman, Leif Löchen as vice-chairman, Anna-Lisa Sahlström as secretary, John Höjdefors as treasurer, Helena Ödvall as deputy member, and Eric Rörborn as auditor. In 1995 the association's magazine, Psalmodika, was published for the first time; it continues to be issued twice a year. Leadership has changed over the decades: Göran Carlström became chairman in 2010, Tommy Karlsson in 2018, and Marcus Johansson in 2025. The association organizes playing gatherings and annual meetings, supports local psalmodikon groups such as Psalmodikonisterna in Hallaryd (formed after 2007), En Sträng in Stockholm, Väderstadsgruppen in Väderstad, and Skedvigruppen in Stora Skedvi, and engages in outreach. Recent activities include demonstrating the psalmodikon at the Öland heritage museum Himmelsberga during the Småland fiddlers' association annual gathering, a beginner group in southern Småland, a presentation at Krusenstiernska gården in Kalmar on 2 June, and participation in National Day celebrations at Östervåla hembygdsgård with the group En Sträng. The association also runs a fundraising campaign through the Din Gåva foundation to produce informational materials. It maintains a website at npsalmodikonforbundet.se and a Facebook presence.

The Nordic Psalmodikon Association (Nordiska Psalmodikonförbundet) is a music association founded in 1993. Its origins trace back to 1986, when psalmodikon playing gatherings (spelstämmor) began to be held. The association was formally established at a playing gathering in Däldenäs, Skagen, Denmark, in 1993. The founding board consisted of chairman Rodney Sjöberg, vice-chairman Leif Löchen, secretary Anna-Lisa Sahlström, treasurer John Höjdefors, deputy member Helena Ödvall, and auditor Eric Rörborn. In 1995, the association's magazine, Psalmodika, was published for the first time. It continues to be published twice a year. In 2007, a playing group was formed in Hallaryd under the name Psalmodikonisterna. Leadership changes occurred over the years: Göran Carlström was elected chairman in 2010, succeeding Rodney Sjöberg, who had served since 1993. Tommy Karlsson became chairman in 2018, and Marcus Johansson took over in 2025. Other board positions also saw turnover, with vice-chairmen including Tommy Karlsson (2017–2018), Lisbet Torkelsdotter (2019–2021), and Marcus Johansson (2021–2025). Secretaries included Vidar Lundbeck (2018–2025), and treasurers included Elisabeth Jönsson (2018–2020) and Nils Brickarp (2020–2025). Board members have included Fredrik von der Lancken, Olof Irander, Max Kristiansson, Inger Nennesmo, Michael Andersson, and Rikard Sigvardsson. The association organizes playing gatherings and annual meetings, supports local groups such as Psalmodikonisterna in Hallaryd, En Sträng in Stockholm, Väderstadsgruppen in Väderstad, and Skedvigruppen in Stora Skedvi, and engages in outreach activities. Recent events include demonstrating the psalmodikon at the Öland heritage museum Himmelsberga, starting a beginner group in southern Småland, a presentation at Krusenstiernska gården in Kalmar on 2 June, and participation in National Day celebrations at Östervåla hembygdsgård. The association also runs a fundraising campaign through the Din Gåva foundation to produce informational materials. It maintains a website at npsalmodikonforbundet.se and a Facebook page.

• 2025

  Marcus Johansson became chairman.

• 2018

  Tommy Karlsson became chairman.

• 2010

  Göran Carlström was elected chairman.

• 2007

  A playing group was formed in Hallaryd under the name Psalmodikonisterna.

• 1995

  The association's magazine, Psalmodika, was published for the first time.

• 1993

  The association was founded at a playing gathering in Däldenäs, Skagen, Denmark.

• 1986

  Psalmodikon playing gatherings (spelstämmor) began to be held.

A non-profit cultural association dedicated to preserving and promoting the psalmodikon tradition in the Nordic countries and worldwide.

• Psalmodika magazine

  The association's magazine, published twice a year since 1995.

• Playing gatherings (spelstämmor)

  Regular gatherings for psalmodikon players.

• Beginner courses

  Beginner groups for learning to play the psalmodikon.

1. 1Nordiska Psalmodikonförbundet official websitenpsalmodikonforbundet.se
2. 2Nordiska Psalmodikonförbundet on Wikidatawikidata.org
3. 3Nordiska Psalmodikonförbundet on Swedish Wikipediasv.wikipedia.org