The ten finalists of the Helsinki International Big Band Composing Contest have been selected. A record number of composers took part in the contest: 76 composers from 22 countries and 4 continents. The composers and compositions which made it to the finals after two anonymous pre-qualification rounds are (in alphabetical order):
Robert Cozma (ROM/GER): Evening Walk
Claudia Döffinger (GER/AUT): Nachtwache
Gabriele di Franco (IT/BEL): Berlin
Daniel Hofecker (HUN): Mr S. G.
Tobias M. Hoffmann (GER/AUT): Conspiracy
Amelia Jutilane-Maynard (AUS/AUT): Isolation
Zach Rich (USA): Let Me Clarify
Oskari Siirtola (FIN): Dear Theo
Gordan Spasovski (MKD): Inner Nova
Drew Zaremba (USA): Cheshire
The final concert will be held as a live stream concert from Savoy Theatre, Helsinki on Friday 4th of June, 2021, at 6 pm (UTC+2). Watch for free at UMO Helsinki Jazz Orchestra’s YouTube channel or at Helsinkikanava.fi live or later. More info about the final concert
The UMO Helsinki Jazz Orchestra will play the ten selected compositions in the final concert with conductor Antti Rissanen. The first prize is 3000, second prize 2000 and third prize 1000 euros.
The jury includes American composer and big band leader Bob Mintzer via online connections, the rest of the jury being on the spot at Savoy: composer and pianist Iro Haarla, UMO’s artistic director and chief conductor Ed Partyka and conductor Antti Rissanen. The concert is hosted by jazz singer Nina Mya.
The final concert will be produced in co-operation with UMO Helsinki Jazz Orchestra, Finnish Big Band Association and Savoy Theatre.
Live stream: Final concert: Helsinki International Big Band Composing Contest
Conductor Antti Rissanen
Fri 4.6.2021 at 6 pm (UTC+2) // UMO Helsinki Jazz Orchestra’s YouTube channel and Helsinkikanava.fi
Duration about 2,5–3 hours. The on-demand can be watched at Helsinkikanava.fi until 18 June and at UMO Helsinki YouTube channel until 31 August.
Photo: Heikki Kynsijärvi