Merzi Rajala (FIN)

THE BASIC INGREDIENTS OF CHORAL GROOVE

With Merzi Rajala, the seminar participants have an opportunity to dive into the basics of rhythm and groove; how to support the singers to internalize and express groove through singing. The very concept of “groove” is also discussed: what does the word actually mean and how to create groove? What is the difference between groove and pulse? What are subdivisions and ghost notes – and how are they linked to the topic?


MERZI RAJALA is a Finnish rhythmic choir conducting pioneer, composer and pedagogue, specialized in popular music / world music genres, fusions, transcultural collaboration and collective improvisation. Rajala works as lecturer in Global Music Department at the Sibelius Academy, University of Arts Helsinki, and is known as the developer for Global Choir Leadership study-option, looking into the leadership of collective singing from wide cultural and aesthetic perspective. She sees choral conducting skills as a great artistic vehicle to contribute to the society and the world around us all. Rajala also teaches and leads different community engagement projects globally – in the field of artistic activity. She appreciates multicultural and multidisciplinary dialogues as part of her own growth and identity as artist and pedagogy.

Photo by: Maarit Kytöharju