Finnish stars first artists in residence

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By Communications Staff
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Finnish choral sensation Rajaton (which means boundless) will be artists-in-residence at Western' Don Wright Faculty of Music April 3-5. It's a first for both organizations, and part of the faculty's student-focused learning model.

The group, which sings to sold-out crowds wherever it performs around the world, will conduct workshops on composing, songwriting, arranging, vocal techniques, style and musical genres for Western's students and several local secondary school classes and members of the community.
 
“They illustrate such diversity in their music and their technique, the residency is a way to show students the range of choral music and inspire them to think beyond the convention," said Jennifer Moir, choral director at Western who initiated the visit.
 
“The members of Rajaton are wonderful role models for our students. They are great ambassadors of commissioning new music and performing it. They show the potential of their art."
 
Moir said having a group of Rajaton's international stature working with Western's students is an example of the importance the faculty places on a student-centred learning environment. “As an alumna, I'm proud the school finds ways to make this the best student experience by offering these workshops, and opening them to the public," she said.
 
Moir said, “Rajaton shows people how to develop the whole artist. They move away from limiting labels and provide a holistic experience that informs your artistry. Each member comes from different backgrounds and experiences."
 
They combine those experiences into some of the most unusual and exciting choral music ever heard. Their repertoire includes traditional, such as Sibelius, folk, jazz, gospel, rock and pop. They also sing many commissioned works and original arrangements. Two of the works on the program April 5 are written by Western alumni Sarah Quartel and Jeff Smallman.
 
In Finland, Rajaton is a bona fide pop phenomenon. In 2003, the group rose to number two on the charts and went platinum with their album Joulu ("Christmas"), a holiday collection. In 2006, the album Rajaton sings ABBA with Lahti Symphony Orchestra topped the charts in Finland in its release week and sold platinum in a month. Rajaton has five gold and two platinum records in Finland, an accomplishment for a choral group in any country.
 
The appeal of their approach and the opportunity to learn from it has attracted school teachers and their choirs, community choirs and members of the general public - not just locally, but from as far away as Michigan and Washington, D.C. Participation in workshops allows choirs to grow together as a group, interact with other groups and work collaboratively with acclaimed professionals.
 
Workshops are already filled, but tickets are available for the celebratory at Alumni Hall, Saturday, April 5 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $35 in AA section (front and centre) $20 elsewhere; students $10; seniors $30 & $15.
 
Tickets available through Orchestra London at 519-679-8778 in advance, or at the door.

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