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© Ripa Vuorimies 2007
KOITON LAULU
The mixed choir Koiton Laulu (Helsinki, Finland) was founded in 1952. The choir has a firm ideological background, and its name is still strongly associated with the Finnish political song movement of the 1970s, being one of its founding members.
Koiton Laulu has always promoted the development of Finnish choir music from an amateur perspective. One of its key principles has been cooperation with modern composers and poets, both Finns and non-Finns. The choir's repertoire is uncompromising, demanding and diverse; the amount of commissioned works and first performances is probably without equal in Finnish choir music. The choir has performed the works of internationally recognised composers for the first time in Finland (Mikis Theodorakis’ Canto General conducted by the composer, Hanns Eisler’s The Mother and works by Veljo Tormis, among others).
Koiton Laulu has recorded ten albums on their own and performed on a great number of others. The choir can be constantly seen and heard on Finnish television and radio, and in Finnish movies. Parts of its repertoire have also been published as sheet music.
The choir has performed also in Argentina, Brazil, Bulgaria, Chile, Cuba, Estonia, the German Democratic Republic (East Germany), Ireland, Sweden, the Soviet Union and Uruguay.
Artistic leader
The choir’s artistic leader Reijo Aittakumpu is a music teacher, choir leader, composer and arranger from Helsinki.
Contact
Kimmo Salmio
kimmo.salmio@koitonlaulu.fi
tel. +358 50 364 8858
THE KOITON LAULU CHOIR IS ORGANIZING A SONG WRITING COMPETITION
Singing has always been an integral part of the social movement that has challenged the establishment. Songs have been used to mock rulers, to heal traumas and to declare solidarity.
What does the year 2010 have to offer in the way of socially aware songs? Can growing inequality, environmental threats and globalisation be subjects for songs? What form of music today would best serve the political song movement?
The Koiton Laulu choir is organizing a song writing competition to make sure the political song movement doesn't end up being dependent only on the classics. Its aim is to find critical lyrics and new musical expression - songs which promote human rights and justice and which take a stand on social issues. We challenge lyricists and composers, interested in songs of political awareness, to create future classics with bold comment on topical issues.
Both composers and lyricists are invited to take part in the competition, singly, in pairs or in groups. Entries are not limited to one composition only.
The competition closes on May 31st 2010. The results will be announced in August. The competition pieces will be performed at Koiton Laulu's concert in May 2011.
Prizes:
- 1st prize 2000 €
- 2nd prize 1000 €
- 3rd prize 500 €
The panel of judges:
- Mr. Markus Fagerudd, composer
- Mr. Ilpo Tiihonen, poet
- Mr. Reijo Aittakumpu , art director of the Koiton Laulu choir
- Ms. Anna Paju, Koiton Laulu choir member
The rules of the competition (in Finnish only) can be found on the web: http://www.koitonlaulu.fi/savellyskilpailun_2010_saannot.pdf.
For more information contact Mr. Kimmo Salmio, tel. +358 50 364 8858 or kimmo.salmio@koitonlaulu.fi.
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