CHOIR – how to join?
The Aria Borealis Competition and the Boreallas side event offer choirs a variety of participation opportunities at the Helsinki Music Centre.
I FINAL CHOIR AND WORKSHOP
II BOREALLAS PERFORMANCE
III CHOIRS’ SEASON CONCERT PERFORMANCE
IV RÄPÄTÄTIIVI
I FINAL CHOIR AND WORKSHOP 4.10.2026
The final of the Aria Borealis Competition will take place in the Concert Hall of the Helsinki Music Centre as a semi-staged performance. On stage are 8 finalists and the Finnish Baroque Orchestra together with Nordic musician colleagues. The dramatic arc also includes two works performed by a large choir ensemble, rehearsed in a workshop led by Justin Doyle. In addition to the pieces performed in the final, the workshop will explore more demanding repertoire and offer professional guidance on performance.
HOW
1. Register your choir’s interest in participating in the final choir (places are limited) / laura.kajander (at) fibo.fi
2. You will receive a suggested number of participants by return email and may confirm participation by purchasing advance tickets to the concert
3. Print the scores and prepare the repertoire independently
4. Welcome to the workshop and concert at the Helsinki Music Centre on Sun 4.10.2026
SUNDAY 4.10.2026 HELSINKI MUSIC CENTRE, Concert Hall
15.30–17 workshop, cond. Justin Doyle
18– final performance (2 works)
PROGRAMME
Lampaanpolska
Baroque piece 1 TBC
Baroque piece 2 TBC
Baroque piece 3 TBC
SCORES
Link
CONDITIONS
The pieces are sung from areas close to the choir’s designated seating, and choir members are required to purchase tickets for these areas.
YOU WILL RECEIVE
- A workshop led by Justin Doyle and the opportunity to perform in the final
- Choir names published in event communications and the programme booklet
- The opportunity to bring promotional material to the foyer event
- The possibility of an individual foyer performance slot
II BOREALLAS PERFORMANCE 1–4 Oct 2026
Boreallas is an extensive side event organised in connection with Aria Borealis, featuring music and dance programmes, panel discussions, workshops, and much more. Approximately 25 choirs are offered the opportunity to give their own performance of about 15 minutes. The repertoire is mainly free choice, but should include at least 1 minute of singing related to early music. As a rule, amplification is not used at early music events.
HOW
1. Register your choir’s interest / laura.kajander (at) fibo.fi
2. You will receive a proposed performance time by return email and may confirm participation by purchasing advance tickets to the final concert
3. Prepare your repertoire independently
4. Welcome to perform!
REPERTOIRE total approx. 15 min (incl. entrance and exit)
Minimum 1 min of early music
Free-choice programme, which may include Räpätätiivi
CONDITIONS
Purchase at least 10 tickets to the Aria Borealis final
YOU WILL RECEIVE
- the opportunity to participate in the Boreallas event programme
- choir names published in event communications and the programme booklet
- the opportunity to bring choir promotional material to the foyer event
- group tickets for choirs –20 %
III CHOIRS’ SEASON CONCERT PERFORMANCE (guest visit)
In the Choirs’ Season Concerts series, there is one opportunity for an Aria Boreallas guest concert on Thursday 1 October 2026 at the House of the Nobility. The venue rental has an agreed price, and the choir receives a large share of the ticket revenue. Details of the performance will be negotiated separately with interested choirs.
IV RÄPÄTÄTIIVI
Räpätätiivi is a concept by the Finnish Baroque Orchestra in which elements of rap and recitative can be freely combined. Inspired by the title, anything is possible. Choirs participating in the Boreallas event may create their own Räpätys in any way they wish. FiBO’s ideas are also freely available.
RAPPING choose a short groove to repeat, for example from baroque music, and add text; the interlude melody can be your own song or an excerpt from a beautiful baroque piece.
MELODRAMA add text to a sound bed, which can be a slow, beautiful piece. / For instance some ground.
RECITAVIVE BASED choose an existing recitative and replace the singing with spoken text. / For instance Telemann: Pimpinone.
IN INTERMEDIATE SPACES / As an example, a Räpätys created during an audience engagement project in the corona period
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3EQXMaxr90A
