Midnight Sun and Mozart: Concert Tour Takes TU Chamber Choir and Orchestra to Finland

As soon as we arrived in Helsinki, there was a special atmosphere in the air. The long, bright evenings, the almost perpetual light of the Nordic early summer nights, and the relaxed atmosphere of the Finnish capital inspired our trip. On our first walk through the city, we passed the impressive cathedral, crossed the market square by the harbor, and made our way to the modern Oodi Central Library, which is actually more like a creative playground with guitars, sewing machines, 3D printers, and gaming PCs. The first day concluded with a visit to a performance by vocal students from the Sibelius Academy—a theatrical exploration of iconic female figures and the challenges faced by women across different eras.

The next day, the students visited the European Chemicals Agency and gained an in-depth insight into the workings of the EU and its institutions. In the afternoon, Helsinki Cathedral was transformed into a large rehearsal space. As the orchestra, soloists, and choirs prepared for the concerts, their musical collaboration with the Finnish partner choir Kampin Laulu grew ever closer. We were amazed at how quickly a shared sound can emerge among strangers (after all, music is the best way to communicate anyway), and a palpable sense of anticipation for the upcoming performances grew. Before the first notes were played in front of an audience, however, there were intensive rehearsals.

Between rehearsals and concerts, we had time to get to know Finland beyond the concert halls. On the historic fortress island of Suomenlinna, our path took us past ancient bastions and along the rocky Baltic Sea coast, and we had the opportunity to learn a great deal about Finnish (military) history. On such occasions, we also sampled Finnish cuisine to our hearts’ content. For many, a steaming bowl of lohikeitto—the traditional salmon soup—was just as much a part of the travel experience as a hearty reindeer soup. These were complemented by Karelian pies, freshly baked cinnamon rolls, and Finnish berry specialties.

The concert in Helsinki Cathedral, attended by about 300 people, was an unforgettable experience for everyone involved. Featuring a cappella choral works and Lars-Erik Larsson’s *Lyrisk fantasi*, the varied program was received by the audience with rapt attention and prolonged applause.

The next day, during a behind-the-scenes tour of the Finnish National Opera, the students gained fascinating insights into the operations of one of Europe’s most modern opera houses before the trip took us on to the idyllic town of Porvoo. The historic old town, with its colorful wooden houses, narrow alleys, and cafés, invited us to take a moment to relax before the second concert in Porvoo Cathedral.

However, the trip’s most beautiful conclusion did not take place on the concert stage, but rather during a social evening together at Kiala Manor. German and Finnish singers gathered over good food, conversation, and games to reflect on the past few days. It was particularly moving to sing German and Finnish songs together—songs the ensembles had specially selected for one another.

When the group finally returned to Dortmund, they brought back more than just two successful concerts. Above all, the shared experiences, the special atmosphere of Helsinki and Porvoo, and the meeting with the Kampin Laulu Chamber Choir will remain in the memories of all participants for a long time to come.

The trip was kindly co-funded by TU Dortmund University, the DAAD, the Goethe-Institut, the Society of Friends and Supporters of TU Dortmund University, the WILO Foundation, and the Dortmund University Orchestra e.V.