Tender sounds and joy of rhythm! The grand finale of UMO’s project Music Factory sees the students of the Laajasalo Elementary School take the stage with the 16-piece big band. All the songs to be heard in the concert are colourful big band versions of the students’ very own originals.

The Music Factory aims at providing more variety to the Finnish elementary school music teaching, helping young people to become more familiar with the world of big band orchestras, encouraging them to take up music as a hobby and offering them a new kind of an experience of working together in and outside the school environment.

Musicians Aija Puurtinen and Sami Kontola are in charge of the pedagogical offerings of the project, teaching the students at workshops at the initial stages of the project. Ville Vannemaa will arrange the students’ compositions for UMO and conduct the big band at the final concert. Music teacher Ilkka Saarikoski will be directing the Laajasalo Elementary School students.