A Touching Concert by the Estonian Radio Girls’ Choir

NATALIE JENKINS

On Sunday June 26th, the Estonian Radio Girls’ Choir performed at the St. Peter’s Estonian Evangelical Lutheran Church during their stay in Canada, putting on a display of whimsy and joyful nostalgia.

The Radio Girls’ Choir, which consists of 30 girls from ages 14 to 19, is one of the four that makes up The Children’s Music Studio of Estonian Radio. All four choirs work with Kadri Hunt (artistic director and conductor), Kaie Tanner (conductor), Külli Kiivet and Anu Aimla (vocal coaches), Märt Agu (dance teacher) and Elina Kaasik (solfeggio teacher).

The four choirs specialize in recording children’s music by Estonian composers. Released in 2015, their CD “Songs of Childhood,” for instance, includes a selection of colourful instrumentals and playful melodies composed by famed Estonian composer Arvo Pärt. The CD was awarded the Golden Disc Prize as the best-selling CD in Estonia in 2015. Other than Estonian composers, the choir’s repertoire last Sunday also included some from outside the country, including American composers Moses Hogan and George Gershwin.

Arriving in Canada

Overall, the atmosphere of the event was bright and lively. The audience consisted of younger and older generations alike, teeming with anticipation to hear the voices of the acclaimed choir singers.

But their anticipation would have to wait. As the clock struck noon, signalling the beginning of the show, Kadri Hunt announced that the girls were running a little bit behind schedule.

It turned out that their flight to Canada was delayed. Instead of getting to Toronto the night before as originally planned, the girls arrived Sunday morning at 5:00 AM. If running on two hours of sleep (if at all) wasn’t bad enough on its own, Hunt also said that the team was missing most of their luggage. Understandably, the girls were very tired. But the hindrances to their arrival, which must have been incredibly frustrating and exhausting, made their spectacular performance all the more impressive.

The concert in review

The girls performed 15 songs that were listed on the program – plus an additional extra one or two – including composers Arvo Pärt, Ester Mägi, and Ülo Vinter. Singing with beautiful clarity and freshness, the girls’ harmonies were paired with piano instrumentals by Erik Kreem, providing an earful of luminous euphony.

The church’s architecture also played a role in the choir’s impressive sound. Its towering ceiling possessed acoustic qualities that enhanced the full-bodied, rich tone of the choir.

Music as a mode of storytelling

But the choir’s impressiveness goes beyond their technical skill. Music is a mode of storytelling; it breathes life into two dimensional notes on a page. This is precisely what the choir offered, reminding its audience of the power of song and its ties to keeping the Estonian spirit alive.

The choir’s spirited expressions and positive attitude – despite all of the trials faced on their way to Canada – brought a certain optimism to their songs. Such optimism was likely recognized and appreciated even by those who didn’t speak Estonian or had trouble understanding the lyrics. Music transcends language boundaries because of its storytelling abilities. Emotions can still be conveyed through expressions and passion in song regardless of language. Sentimental feelings of hope and happiness lulled in the audience after the choir finished singing, even in those that didn’t speak the language.

This is why it is important, especially as Estonians, to keep our habits of song alive. It is a continuing symbol of freedom and hope, and a way for Estonians to confidently say that we’re still here and we’re not going anywhere, even in the face of hardship and despair. It’s what keeps our national spirit alive.

Estonian radio girls choir.

Photo: Tiina Jenkins