The Polytech Orchestra (PO), founded in 1922, is a student symphony orchestra with around 100 active members. We are one of the numerous organizations coordinated by the Aalto University Student Union. Most of us are students or alumni at Aalto University but there are students and graduates from other universities as well. The orchestra is conducted by James Kahane.
The concert calendar of PO includes a spring concert series with concerts in the Helsinki area and in other Finnish cities. The orchestra has also given concerts abroad; the PO has visited for instance Germany, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Baltic states, Sweden and Scotland. Other important annual events are the Waputin concert on the 1st of May and Autumn and Christmas concerts. Variety to the concert base is provided by on demand concerts and joint productions. In addition, a number of smaller ensembles, such as string quartets, wind quintets and the Polytech Salon Orchestra, operate within the PO.
Can I join even if I don’t speak Finnish?
As long as you can play an instrument, it doesn’t matter whether you speak Finnish or not. Your fellow players are almost sure to speak English and will help you, should the conductor forget to speak English. Joining the orchestra is an excellent way of making Finnish friends – and of course a very good one if you would like to enjoy music and playing in Finland too. If you don’t know when and where the rehearsals are, don’t hesitate to contact the board members!’
Contact information
- President: puheenjohtaja(at)polyteknikkojenorkesteri.fi
- Board: po(at)polyteknikkojenorkesteri.fi
- PR responsible: tiedottaja(at)polyteknikkojenorkesteri.fi