Nordic Conference for Choral Conductors | 4–6 October, 2024 | Helsinki Music Centre
Programme
The official language of the conference is English.
Detailed programme information below.
Please see info for other practical information!
The seminar's main venue is the Helsinki Music Centre.
CLOAKROOM. When you arrive at the Music Centre, please leave your outerwear and larger luggage to the cloakroom located on the entrance floor. The cloakroom is staffed and free of charge.
VENUE. Take the stairs to the lowest floor of the Music Centre. There you will find Camerata and Sonore halls and the Lower Foyer where all lunches and coffee breaks take place as well as our information and registration desk!
SALES EVENT. During Saturday and Sunday there will be a sales event on the Lower Foyer. The exhibitors are:
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Sulasol (Finland)
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Fennica Gehrman (Finland) and Gehrmans Musikförlag (Sweden)
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Äänikauppa (Finland)
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SP Muusika (Estonia)
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Arrak Music (Sweden)
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ChorusClass (Sweden)
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Ejeby Förlag (Sweden)
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Wessmans Musikförlag (Sweden)
Friday 4.10.
Come in time and visit Ostinato sheet music shop in the Music Centre! The shop is open only on Friday until 18.00.
14.00
REGISTRATION begins – welcome to the Conference and to the Helsinki Music Centre! Lower Foyer
14.30–16.30
COFFEE / TEA and a brownie available. Lower Foyer
16.30
THE OPENING of the event. Camerata Hall
16.45
LECTURE: Concert planning – Bernhardt Hess (DE) Camerata Hall
18.15
BREAK
19.30
CONCERT: Sibelius Academy Vocal Ensemble
at Sibelius Academy's Concert Hall, Pohjoinen Rautatiekatu 9
Saturday 5.10.
Music Centre opens at 9 a.m.
9.30
LECTURE: The basic ingredients of choral groove – Merzi Rajala (FIN). Sonore Hall
LECTURE: Choir sound and vocal technique – Jani Sivén (FIN). Camerata Hall
11.00
BREAK: Coffee / tea available. Lower Foyer
11.30
LECTURE: The basic ingredients of choral groove – Merzi Rajala (FIN). Sonore Hall
LECTURE: Choir sound and vocal technique – Jani Sivén (FIN). Camerata Hall
13.00
BREAK: Lunch buffet at the Lower Foyer
14.00
LECTURE: Observing a conducting masterclass for Sibelius Academy students given by Sigvards Kļava (LV). Camerata Hall
LECTURE: Conducting an equal voices choir – Marit Tøndel Bodsberg Weyde (NO). Sonore Hall
15.30
BREAK: Coffee / tea and a muffin available. Lower Foyer
16.00
LECTURE: Observing a conducting masterclass for Sibelius Academy students given by Sigvards Kļava (LV). Camerata Hall
LECTURE: Conducting a symphony or an opera choir – Ines Kaun (DE/SWE). Sonore Hall
17.30
BREAK
19.00
CONCERT: Pohjolan äänet – Northern Voices at Temppeliaukio Church, Lutherinkatu 3
Akademiska Damkören Lyran
Male Choir Euga
Sibelius Upper Secondary School Chamber Choir
20.30
EVENING GALA at Sokos Hotel Presidentti, Eteläinen Rautatiekatu 4
Buffet dinner and some musical programme. The evening focuses especially on spending pleasent time together! There is no dress code at the event.
Sunday 6.10.
Helsinki Music Centre opens at 9 a.m.
9.30
LECTURE: Renaissance music and madrigals from Josquin to Palestrina – Bo Holten (DK). Camerata Hall
LECTURE: Working with children's and youth choirs – Anna Nora (FIN). Sonore Hall
11.00
BREAK: Coffee / tea available. Lower Foyer
11.30
PANEL DISCUSSION: The changing roles of the conductor. Camerata Hall
The role of choral conductors has changed within the choir field and, more in general, in the world of classical music. What roles do conductors play when facing the new challenges to classical music? Are they equipped for those roles? How do they see the future of professional choirs?
The non-professional choir field has also broadened, and new skills are required from the conductors, partly because of how the pandemic changed our thinking and our society. How to adapt to the challenges in funding or attracting an audience? In the end, who are we making music for?
Babette Greiner (NL) – moderator
Nils Schweckendiek (DE/FIN)
Bo Holten (DK)
Dag Jansson (NO)
Helga Margrét Marzellíusardóttir (ISL)
13.00
BREAK. Buffet lunch available at Lower Foyer
14.00
CLOSING. Thank you for participating! Speeches, some small programme together. Lower Foyer
14.30
The event ends