Finlandia University to present 14th annual Sibelius Academy Music Festival Sept. 23-28

HANCOCK -- Finlandia University is pleased to present the 14th annual Sibelius Academy Music Festival. Events will take place Sept. 23 to 28, 2012, in metropolitan Chicago and Michigan's Upper Peninsula. This year's musicians are a classical music piano/cello duo and a Finnish folk music quartet.

Members of the Contemporary Finnish folk band "Hohka." (Photos courtesy Finlandia University)

Contemporary Finnish folk band "Hohka" mixes Finnish tradition, catchy pop tunes, and global atmospheres in a unique, energetic blend. Hohka's four musicians -- Meriheini Luoto (violin), Valtteri Lehto (kantele), Veikko Muikku (accordion) and Maksim Purovaara (bass) -- formed their band in 2006. In November 2011, the band won the Nordic folk music band competition, Nord11. The music and compositions of Hohka sound fresh and incorporate small vignettes and stories.*

Musical Duo: Pauli Jämsä, Piano, and Liina Leijala, Cello

When pianist Pauli Jämsä was accepted into the Sibelius Academy youth department in 2006, he became certain that he had chosen the right path. Now he studies in the Academy's soloistic department, as well as at the University of Vienna, Austria.

Pianist Pauli Jämsä.

"The great pleasure in playing chamber music is the possibility of sharing the music -- not only with the audience, but also with colleagues," he says. "It is inspiring to share the magic of music."

In January 2012, Liina Leijala completed her master's degree in music at the Sibelius Academy. Now, she is studying at the University of Music and Performing Arts, Vienna.  Happiness is shared, says one famous writer. Similarly, Liina believes that one side of music is also to be shared. The other side, she explains, is a hedonistic joy.

Liina Leijala with her cello.

"The unique character of performing music is what I like the most about it: you show your inner view to yourself and others," she reflects.

Here is the Schedule of Events:

Sunday, Sept. 23, 2:30 p.m. 14th annual Sibelius Academy Music Festival concert. Estonian House of Chicago, 14700 Estonian Ln., Riverwoods, Illinois. Concert tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for students and seniors.

Tuesday, Sept. 25, 7 p.m. 14th annual Sibelius Academy Music Festival event. Meet the Musicians. Finlandia University Finnish American Heritage Center, Hancock, Michigan. Free, open to the public.

Wednesday, Sept. 26, 7 p.m. 14th annual Sibelius Academy Music Festival concert. Finlandia University Finnish American Heritage Center, Hancock. Tickets are $10 for adults; $5 for students; Finlandia students attend free.

Friday, Sept. 28, 7:30 p.m. 14th annual Sibelius Academy Music Festival concert. Calumet Theatre, 340 Sixth St., Calumet, Mich. Tickets are $10 for adults; $5 for students; Finlandia students attend free.

Click here to buy tickets on line.

For the most accomplished student-musicians in Finland and around the world the Sibelius Academy is the destination for the best and brightest. The prestigious Sibelius Academy, founded in 1882 and named for Finnish composer Jean Sibelius, is one of the largest and best regarded music academies in Europe. Visit the Sibelius Academy website at www.siba.fi/en/.

For information, call 906-487-7512 or visit www.finlandia.edu/sibelius-fest.

* Visit the band's website at www.hohka.net.