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"Boundless" certainly describes these six talented Finnish singers. One of the world’s leading a cappella ensembles, Rajaton regularly performs over 100 concerts and workshops each year. They expose audiences to diverse repertoire, singing styles and powerful stage presentation, making them a phenomenon on the world stage. Singing mainly self-composed repertoire, the group has released 10 albums. In 2003. their album Joulu sold double platinum in Finland and their 2006 recording of Rajaton sings ABBA with Lahti Symphony Orchestra topped the charts and sold platinum in under a month. This distinct group of musicians approaches all styles of music with the same level of passion, commitment and energy, making it difficult to imagine a type of music Rajaton could not make its own or an audience that they could not inspire!
Festival 500 welcomes Rajaton back to Newfoundland and Labrador, this time as our headliner guest ensemble. You will hear their a cappella performances during the week and a performance from their hit ABBA show at the Grand Finale. They will be joined by Festival 500 massed choirs and the Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra for an exciting musical extravaganza!
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Norwegian conductor Grete Pederson has been internationally acclaimed for her stylistically assured and musically convincing performances. Passionate about choral music, she conducts the Norwegian Soloists’ Choir and is an Artistic Director of the annual festival Kristiandsand Festspill. Renowned as the Founder and Conductor of the Oslo Chamber Choir, Grete has become one of the most celebrated and sought-after conductors in the Nordic countries. Her multi-faceted experience is reflected in the leadership she has demonstrated in performances of various genres like contemporary, folk, jazz and major works for choir and orchestra. Festival 500 welcomes Grete to Newfoundland and Labrador as the conductor for the Massed Adult Choir Project.
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Internationally recognized as a conductor of massed choirs and orchestras, festival director, musicologist and music educator, Kari Ala-Pöllänen has had an eminent career as a versatile musician. Before his appointment to the Tapiola Choir (successor to Erkki Pohjola), Kari conducted other award-winning Finnish choirs as well as the National Children’s and Youth Choir of Guatemala. Taking home the “Choir Conductor of the Year” award in 1995 (Finnish Choir Conductors’ Association) and the “Klemetti” Award in 1997 (Finnish Amateur Musicians’ Association), Kari comes to us with high praise and in high demand. Having been a guest conductor on five continents, Kari joins Festival 500 as the conductor for the Massed Youth Choir Project. |
The Indonesian Children and Youth Choir is a dynamic ensemble that excels in both music making and presentation. The incorporation of ethnic dance in their performances creates strikingly beautiful, breathtaking productions - resulting in a thrilling spectacle for audiences around the world. Conducted by founder Aida Swenson, their repertoire ranges from classical to contemporary to traditional folk songs. This group will astound you with their dramatic and powerful cultural expression, complete with incredible choreography, sensational singing and vibrant drumming. The choir’s unparalleled professionalism has been recognized globally at many international events and competitions. Notable performances include the World Choral Symposium in Denmark (2008), the National Conference of the ACDA in Miami (2007), the IFCM Pacific Choral Symposium in Singapore (2001) and the World of Children Choirs Symposium in Vancouver (2001). We are thrilled to introduce the Indonesian Children and Youth Choir as the Guest Choir at Festival 500.
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Composer, conductor and singer Bob Chilcott, a former member of the vocal group The King’s Singers, now devotes much of his time to composing and has over one hundred pieces of choral music published by Oxford University Press. As well as being Principal Guest Conductor of the BBC Singers, he has conducted many other leading choirs, including the World Youth Choir (IFCM), the Taipei Chamber Singers and the Tower New Zealand Youth Choir. He has worked in 23 countries on six continents. Festival 500 is excited to welcome Bob back to Newfoundland and Labrador as Composer-in-Residence and a clinician for the Professional Development Program for Small Vocal Ensembles.
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Swedish conductor Fred Sjöberg is a gifted musician in a wide variety of genres and styles. He studied voice and choral conducting at the Royal Academy of Music in Stockholm and Örebro and with renowned choral leaders such as Eric Ericson and Helmuth Rilling. In 2000, Fred was awarded “Conductor of the Year” in Sweden. He has conducted the World Youth Choir (IFCM), the World Chamber Choir (IFCM) and the European Youth Choir (Europa Cantat). After his wildly successful debut as the inaugural conductor of the Come Solo Festival Choir in 2009, Fred returns to Festival 500 to once again lead our Conducting Masterclasses and to conduct the Come Solo Festival Choir.
*Masterclass participation is by audition.
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(Offered in Collaboration with Debut Atlantic)
Peter Tiefenbach’s unique combination of talents has established his reputation as a gifted performer, composer, writer, broadcaster and teacher. One of Canada’s leading collaborative pianists, he has worked with many of the country’s foremost singers, including Wendy Nielsen, Sally Dibblee, Peter Barrett, and Maureen Forrester. A faculty member of the Glenn Gould School of the Royal Conservatory, Peter coaches singers in the Performance Diploma and Artist Diploma programs. Don’t miss the opportunity to work with this illustrious vocal coach in our Voice Masterclasses.
*Masterclass participation is by audition.
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Kate Munger has devoted her life to healing through the power of song. A long time lover of group singing, she is the founder of the first Threshold Choir, choirs for women who are called to sing at the bedsides of people who are struggling: some with living, some with dying. Today there are Threshold Choirs in over 100 US cities, plus new ones forming in Australia, Canada, Spain, Mexico and the UK. Kate also founded and directs the Midnight Choir, an ensemble that brings songs of hope and spirit to the homeless on the streets and in shelters. As a Workshop Clinician, Kate will share her practices on using the voice and singing as a vehicle for compassion and comfort.
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Driven by his passion for South African music, Scott Leithead is the Founder and Artistic Director of the dynamic Kokopelli Choir Association and the T.I.M.E. Vocal Jazz Association. His choirs are known for their distinctive style and presentation. Their signature musicality, energy and artistry has taken them to concert halls in Africa, Asia and Europe. Scott is in high demand across North America as a conductor, adjudicator and clinician. Recently, he spent more than a year working with choirs in South Africa, Namibia and St. Lucia. Festival 500 is delighted to welcome Scott once again to Newfoundland and Labrador to share his musical and cultural experiences with us. |
Founder and Conductor of the Indonesian Children and Youth Choir, Aida Swenson has spent over 20 years traveling throughout Indonesia, creating and leading choirs and training choral conductors. Under her direction, the choirs have received awards and recognitions internationally. She herself has been awarded the “Great State of California: Governor’s Award for Exceptional Expertise, Talent and Dedication” in 1997 and the “ASEAN Woman in Music Award” in 1998. A sought-after adjudicator and clinician, Aida conducts workshops around the world. We are delighted to have Aida and her Indonesian Children and Youth Choir participate in Festival 500. |
Vocalist Gunnel Sjöberg received her training as a singing teacher from the School of Music at the University of Örebro. She has also studied at the Royal University College of Music in Stockholm. Gunnel is a frequent soloist in such works as the St. John Passion, the St. Matthew Passion, and the Christmas Oratorio of Bach and the Requiems of Mozart and Fauré. She has worked with such renowned conductors as Eric Ericson, Anders Öhrwall, Helmuth Rilling and Nikolaus Harnoncourt. Come and learn as Gunnel leads workshops on vocal health. |
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