Youth Mixed Choir Vox Populi – led by conductor Janne Fridolin – presents an evening of aural stimulation celebrating preeminent Estonian choral composer Veljo Tormis’ 85th birthday.

Based on Tormis’ choral cycles Nature Pictures (1964-69) and Etudes in Keys (1970) and directed by Anne Türnpu and Eva Klements, Meditations with Tormis is a journey into the landscapes of Estonia and the four seasons.

About Youth Mixed Choir Vox Populi

Founded in 2006 and led by conductor Janne Fridolin, the spirited young people of Youth Mixed Choir Vox Populi are united by their passion for music and singing. With 65 active members, the primary goals of the ensemble are to offer memorable moments for both performers and audiences, to develop one’s talent for music, and to bring people together as friends.

Vox Populi’s repertoire currently ranges from folklore and sacral music to pop and jazz. In Estonia the ensemble is best known for their performances inspired by Estonian and Finno-Ugric folklore and the works of composer Veljo Tormis. In 2013 Vox Populi released the jazz-pop music album First Strawberry. The ensemble’s vocal coach is baritone/bass Andreas Väljamäe of the Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir.

Since its founding, the ensemble has had several notable moments competing in different choral competitions in Estonia and abroad, among them First Prize at the Viimsi JazzPopFest (Estonia, 2012) and at the Freamunde International Choir Competition (Portugal, 2012); two gold medals at the Festival of Songs Olomouc (Czech Republic, 2013); and a silver medal at the World Choir Games (Latvia, 2014) and first prize at the Valga jazz/pop festival (Estonia, 2014).

Fridolin was honored as the Best Young Conductor of 2010, Best Music Teacher and Conductor of 2013, and nominated in 2014 for the Estonian Choral Association’s Best Conductor award. She was named Best Conductor at the Freamunde International Choir Competition (Portugal, 2012) and served as art director at the 2014 Gaudeamus Song Festival in Latvia. Fridolin will conduct at the 12th Estonian Youth Song and Dance Celebration in 2017.

Co-presented with the Estonian Ministry of Culture and Consulate General of Estonia in New York.

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Image Courtesy of Vox Populi.

THU – 9-17-2015 – 7:00 PM
free
RSVP strongly encouraged