The autumn season of the Helsinki Chamber Choir offers a variety of things to hear: there will be a concert of music by Kaija Saariaho and Helena Tulve, a joint concert with the Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir and concerts with three very different orchestras (Sibelius Academy Symphony Orchestra & Royal College of Music Symphony Orchestra, Sointi Jazz Orchestra and Finnish Baroque Orchestra). .

Helsinki Chamber Choir's fall season 2024 starts on Sunday 1 September 2024 with a concert by the concert of Sibelius Academy Symphony Orchestra and London's Royal College of Music Symphony Orchestra, where Gustav Holst's Planets will be performed under the direction of Sakari Oramo. On Thursday, September 5, 2024, the Helsinki Chamber Choir will continue its exploration of Kaija Saariaho's music by performing and recording more of the composer's choral music under the direction of its artistic director, Nils Schweckendiek. In the same concert, compositions by the Estonian Helena Tulve will also be heard.

In October, the Helsinki Chamber Choir and the Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir with conductor Nils Schweckendiek celebrate the anniversaries of the three composers, Bruckner, Schöberg and Martin, with concerts in Estonia and Finland. The closing number of the concerts (October 25-27, 2024) will be Frank Martin's impressive Mass for double choir.

In November, it's time for five interesting premieres: the Helsinki Chamber Choir and the Sointi Jazz Orchestra will perform works composed for a unique ensemble on November 21-24, 2024 at the Utopia concerts conducted by Atso Almila. Antti Auvinen, Markus Fagerudd, Anna-Mari Kähärä, Mikko Sarvanne and Selma Savolainen are responsible for the compositions of the concert. The autumn season ends with performances of Handel's Messiah with the Finnish Baroque Orchestra around Finland. The concerts are part of the Helsinki Chamber Choir and FiBO's Lähelle tour project.

Choral Postcards, developed by Chamber Choir Ireland, is an opportunity for young composers to learn about choral composition from top professionals and to hear their music performed by singers from a professional choir. During the project, participants compose “choral postcards” - short choral pieces for a four-part mixed choir that fit on a postcard - and Helsinki Chamber Choir creates video recordings of the pieces.

Over the course of the autumn of 2024 and January 2025, participants take part in group meetings and receive personal coaching and feedback from composition teacher Matthew Whittall, conductor Elisa Huovinen, and the singers of the choir. During the course, participants also learn how to use music writing software, as well as how to find appropriate texts to use for a composition from different sources. The teaching takes place both online and in person in Helsinki, and at the end of the course all compositions are recorded by the Helsinki Chamber Choir. Participating is free of charge. 

The course is directed at young people from all over Finland born in the years 2006-2009 who are interested in writing choral music. The ability to read music is required, but previous experience in composition is not necessary. The application period is until 17th May 2024, and you can apply through the link provided. The teaching languages are Finnish and English. If you have any questions, please contact [email protected].

Application form: https://forms.gle/8WGCY8TJkwJJ2z6Z8

Schedule:
19.10.2024 Group Zoom meeting
October-December Private composition tutoring sessions with the composition teacher over Zoom
11.1. 2025 Group workshop day in Helsinki with the tutors and other participants
25.1.2025 Group recording day in Helsinki

The course also requires independent work.

Choral Postcards is an educational programme developed by Chamber Choir Ireland. 

Read more:
Elisa Huovinen graduated with top marks both from Sibelius-Academy (MMus) and Metropolia University of Applied Sciences. She has won prizes both in Finland and abroad (including Choral Conductor of the Year 2024, II Prize in the Fosco Corti choral conducting competition in Turin in 2021, I prize in the Gheorghe Dima choral conducting competition in Cluj-Napoca in 2018, and I prize in the Finnish choral conducting competition in 2018). Currently Huovinen is the artistic director of Somnium Ensemble, the Finnish Youth Choir, Men’s Chorus Valkia and Akademiska Sångföreningen. She also teaches at the Sibelius-Academy.
Matthew Whittall: https://www.mwhittall.com/
 

Helsinki Chamber Choir is seeking singers to join our roster for all sections. Candidates are expected to have professional training in vocal music, as well as experience with performing contemporary music and in choral/ensemble signing. Singers are booked on a project-by-project basis.

Time: 23rd of April 2024 2.50pm-6pm
Place: Helsinki (exact location to be confirmed later)

The audition consists of three parts:
- song or aria - please prepare two songs or arias of your choice, the jury will choose to hear one or both (pianist will be provided, please bring along a score for the pianist in the correct key)
- singing in a quartet, the music for which will be provided a week before the audition 
- quick study piece, the music for which will be provided 24 hours before the audition (to be sung alone, you can use a tuning fork or a piano to get an A)

Please apply before March 26th by completing the form linked below. The application should include a CV and a video or sound recording.

Application form: https://forms.gle/SJ5VHm37V6CTmk2u7

Candidates selected to audition will be informed by April 9th.

For any additional information, please contact:
Keri Kallio
Tuottaja/Producer 
Helsingin kamarikuoro
e-mail: [email protected]