Honorary members

Helena Tulve is an internationally acclaimed Estonian composer with a distinguished career in choral music. In recent years, the Helsinki Chamber Choir has commissioned Tulve's choral and orchestral work And Death Shall Have No Dominion and has recorded several of her works. Tulve is one of the leading names in contemporary Estonian classical music, creating groundbreaking art with her recognizable musical language. The Helsinki Chamber Choir elected Helena Tulve as an honorary member of the choir in the autumn of 2025.

Photo: Fennica Gehrman

Matthew Whittall is a respected Canadian-Finnish composer who has collaborated with the Helsinki Chamber Choir for 18 years. The Helsinki Chamber Choir has commissioned one short and three extensive works from him and has recorded all of them. Whittall is known nationally and internationally for his choral work. The album Northlands (2017) by the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Helsinki Chamber Choir and Tapiola Sinfonietta was selected as Yle’s Record of the Year in 2017. His latest collaboration with the choir is the critically acclaimed and moving a cappella work The World Tree, which was premiered by the Helsinki Chamber Choir in November 2025. The Helsinki Chamber Choir elected Matthew Whittall as an honorary member of the choir in the autumn of 2025.

Photo: Maarit Kytöharju

Einojuhani Rautavaara (1928–2016) has been an important composer for the Helsinki Chamber Choir, who regularly perform his choral works. As the Finnish Radio Chamber Choir, the choir recorded Rautavaara's complete a cappella choral works for the Ondine label to international acclaim in the 1990s. The choir has also founded a choral composition competition carrying Rautavaara’s name. In November 2007 the choir elected the composer as its honorary member.

Photo: Ari Korkala / Music Finland

Composer Kimmo Hakola was Artistic Director for the Helsinki Chamber Choir from 2005 to 2007 and an important supporter in the development of Finland’s only professional chamber choir. The choir has also premiered all of Hakola’s choral works. In November 2007 the choir elected the composer as its honorary member.

Photo: Saara Vuorjoki / Music Finland