Choirs and Vocal Ensembles
The Vantaa Music Institute offers a varied range of choir activities for singers of any age. Read more about our activities below.
Youth Choir Laurus under the direction of Heidi Harinen performing at Church of St. Lawrence in autumn 2019.
Minit Choir (ages 7–9)
The Minit Choir gives 7- to 9-year-olds the opportunity to take their first step into the world of choir singing. In the Minit Choir, children’s knowledge of songs is broadened through a diverse programme, and they are taught appropriate vocal control and performance skills. During the choir’s classes, the children are also taught the basics of music perception (MUHA) through play and instrumentation.
Additional information:
Marja Pättikangas
marja.pattikangas@vantaa.fi
tel. 040 593 7433
The Minis Choir preparing for a recording session at Orvokki Hall (Cultural Centre Orvokki). Excitement in the air : )
Lauriina and Marttiina Choirs (ages 9–14)
Members of the Lauriina and Marttiina Choirs are taught the basics of vocal control, multi-voice singing through canons and two-voice songs as well as the necessary movements. Choir programmes include a range of songs from different countries’ traditional folk pieces to movie themes. Choir singing involves joint music sessions, joyful singing and rigorous practice. Each choir performs either independently or together with the institute’s other choirs.
Choirs must always be joined for one entire school year. You can become a member even if you have not completed any previous musical studies.
Additional information:
Marja Pättikangas
marja.pattikangas@vantaa.fi
tel. 040 593 7433
The Lauriina Choir practising at Cultural Centre Orvokki.
Youth Choir Laurus (girls, ages 12–20)
The Youth Choir Laurus is meant for 12–20-year-old girls. The choir mainly performs a cappella songs (vocal music without musical accompaniment). Members of the choir are given lessons on the various styles of choir singing and choir pieces from different countries and genres. Laurus has won accolades at Finnish choir events, and it has also performed and competed successfully abroad.
The choir is joined through auditions. Each participant must perform a freely chosen song without musical accompaniment (for example, Taivas on sininen ja valkoinen or some other traditional folk song). In addition, each participant must perform short melody repetition tasks. Those in charge of the audition must also assess each participant’s optimal voice type. When new choir members are chosen, earlier choir experience is considered beneficial.
The time and date of your personal audition will be communicated to you after you have filled in the necessary application form in the Eepos Service.
Additional information:
Heidi Harinen
heidi.harinen@vantaa.fi
tel. 050 374 3579
Livestream recording of The Youth Choir Laurus’ 25th Anniversary Concert at Lumme Hall (autumn 2020).
Chamber Choir Laurus (adults)
The Chamber Choir Laurus is a mixed choir formed in autumn 2004 to further diversify the choir activities on offer at the Vantaa Music Institute. During the past decades, this 20-strong choir has performed a variable, primarily a cappella repertoire of songs from many different musical genres and eras. In 2013, the choir and three other choirs, accompanied by the Baroque Orchestra Galantina, performed J.S. Bach’s St. John Passion at Paavalinkirkko (Helsinki). In summer 2015, the choir performed in Riga at the Nordic-Baltic Choir Festival, and in summer 2016, it performed and participated in a workshop at the Nordklang 16 Nordic Choir Event in Turku, Finland.
The choir accepts members through auditions. Each participant must perform a freely chosen song without musical accompaniment (for example, Taivas on sininen ja valkoinen or some other traditional folk song). In addition, each participant must perform short melody repetition tasks. Those in charge of the audition must also assess each participant’s optimal voice type. When new choir members are chosen, earlier choir experience is considered beneficial.
The time and date of your personal audition will be communicated to you after you have filled out the necessary application form in the Eepos Service.
Additional information:
Heidi Harinen
heidi.harinen@vantaa.fi
tel. 050 374 3579
Tixie Jive Vocal Ensemble (adults)
Tixie Jive is a vocal ensemble consisting of adult singers who study at the Vantaa Music Institute. Its repertoire is a wonderful mixed bag of Finnish- and English-language entertainment songs from many different decades. The vocal ensemble performs accompanied by piano, and its singers use microphones. Its songs are arranged and accompanied on the piano by the group’s leader, Vantaa Music Institute Lecturer Teppo Salakka.
The vocal ensemble accepts new members at the beginning of the autumn and spring semesters. The vocal ensemble can be joined through an audition. Each participant must perform a freely chosen song and complete a musicality test.
Additional information and signing up for auditions:
Teppo Salakka
teppo.salakka@vantaa.fi
tel. 050 521 3583
