Brass and percussion students spent a week in Finland collaborating with peers at the Sibelius Academy as part of the Finlandia Brass Project.

The project, supported by the Scottish Education Exchange Programme’s Test and Learn initiative, fosters international partnerships between educational institutions.

The Finlandia Brass Project offers students a unique opportunity to learn from and collaborate with some of Finland’s most accomplished musicians, strengthening ties between Scotland and Finland’s musical communities.

The students engaged in performance activities, received one-on-one teaching, and took part in lectures with Sibelius Academy faculty.

The students:

Abigail Wilson – French Horn
Leo Brychta – Trumpet
Gregor Koziel – Trumpet
Edward McDaid – Trumpet
Nadia Bedwell – Trumpet
Aaron Singh – Trombone
Gregor Dowall – Trombone
Emma Close – Trombone
Mark Gammon – Bass Trombone
Sophie Smart – Tuba
Noah Chalamanda – Percussion

They also explored the historical context of brass chamber music and the influence of folk music from both Scotland and Finland.

The students performed a new work by RCS lecturer Andrew Duncan, Folk Suite for Brass, and the European premiere of Labyrinthum by Andrew Jacob, a Masters Composition student.

The pieces were showcased in the concert From Scotland with Love at Musiikkitalo’s Camerata, conducted by John Logan, Head of Brass and Percussion at RCS.

Throughout the week, students received lessons from Sibelius Academy’s brass faculty, including Pasi Pirinen, Head of Brass and Principal Trumpet of the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra, and worked with musicians from Principal Tapiola Sinfonietta, Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra and Turku Symphony Orchestra.

Additionally, four students joined the Sibelius Academy Symphony Orchestra for a rehearsal and performance of Mahler’s Symphony No.2 Resurrection at Musiikkitalo Konserttisali, conducted by Sakari Oramo.

Visit RCS Brass’ Facebook  to watch this clip from the rehearsal.