The Finnish Canadian folk music Orchestra (Pelimanni Orchestra) celebrates 40 years with a Coffee House on October 23 at 7 pm at Hilldale Lutheran Church.
Orchestra member Nina Niemisto, says the original aim of our orchestra was to preserve and promote Finnish music and keep it alive in the everyday lives of Finnish immigrants and their descendants.
The orchestra regularly performs at multicultural festivals throughout the region, as well as in nursing homes, community events, and dance halls.
“Our membership is made up primarily of Canadian-born music enthusiasts, some of whom have family or personal connectons to Finland. What brings us all together is our love of Finnish music and the enjoyment we share both as musicians and with our audiences.
The strong friendships within the orchestra are reflected in the fact that many of our current musicians have been performing together for more than 20 years. The orchestra travels extensively throughout Canada and the United States and have become regular participants in FinnGrand Fests. In 2017, as Finland celebrated the 100th anniversary of its independence, we travelled to Finland for a special concert tour of Kausinen and Southern Ostrobothnia. Kausinen is considered the heartland of Finnish folk music, and we were honoured and delighted to perform there alongside approximately 600 other pelimanni groups”, says Nina.
The group is currently practicing for their 40th anniversary concert, a milestone that seemed like the prefect time to celebrate history, music, friendships and to perform for those who have supported them throughout the years.
“We hope that our orchestra can continue to bring Finnish music and traditions to new generations and audiences for many years to come”. Everyone is invited.
For more information go to: www.facebook.com/PelimanniOrchestra or their website: http://pelimannitbay. wixsite.com/pelimanniorchestra
