Last modified 15.3.2011 at 13:15

Cultural experiences stashed in the Concert Hall

Text Laura Myllykoski photos: Mika Saloranta

I sit quietly in the Concert Hall and listen. I am not used to this kind of musical experience but I am impressed. It is a concert of the pop-jazz music pedagogue students of the School of Music, Dance and Media. And these guys can really play.

All music students must perform at least once in a students concert or matinee every academic year and play their main instrument. Also the Degree Programme in Dance Teacher Education includes a public dance show.

This Tuesday in December happens to be the eve of the Independence Day. Despite the date we do not hear Finlandia hymn but three bands climb to the stage and every one of them concentrate on different music styles.

Groovy all-round education

First band’s female soloist dressed in green welcomes the audience and soon the hall is filled with classics of the Brasilian popular music. The attention of the audience is drawn to a real rarity: a female bassist. Guitarist’s Latino gimmickry will not escape the attention, either.

Both the audience and the musicians were riveted to the Brasilian rhythms.

With the second band we move to the world of jazz. While every instrument has its own moment in the limelight the dialogue formed between them is feast for the ear. The audience greets all solos with applause – and there are many.

The third and last band of the evening introduces the audience with the tunes and ideology of roots reggae. The grand piano used with other bands is changed into organs and synthesizer and the flexible and relaxed music makes both the performers and the audience jiggle to the rhythm. Between the outspoken pieces the lead vocalist explains the essence of the Rastafarian culture.

The couple-hour concert flies by surprisingly quickly. The performers thank the audience for a nice evening and get a storm of applause. By quickly estimating the concert gathered over fifty listeners and the audience seemed very content with their experience. And also the musicians seemed to be having fun. Even if the atmosphere on the stage might have quivered of tension, only the joy of playing was conveyed to the audience.

A calendar full of events

There’s a lot happening in the School of Music, Dance and Media in Kaukovainio. During the academic year there are performances, concerts and shows of the music and dance teacher students. Achievements of the students of communication are presented to the public in biannual Showtimes.

According to the Culture Calendar there’s something happening in the concert hall several times a week during the academic year. The audience can enjoy different music genres all the way from pop music to classical and organ music. The dance teacher education’s shows one can see many dance styles ranging from folk dance to classical ballet and from modern dance to swing and show dance. In addition to the Showtimes the Degree Programme in Communication has also changing photographic exhibitions. The Showtimes present students know-how in the forms of printed works, AV productions and multimedia and event productions.

The admission is free almost to all events and the modern premises of the school offer the best possible setting both acoustically and presentationally. Naturally also the audience coming from outside the Oulu UAS is welcomed!