The Nightingale joyfully sings on

Kati Kiilaspea

On Monday, February 3rd, the Toronto Academic Mixed Choir “Ööbik” had a special practice dedicated to celebrating our 25th anniversary, which actually occurred on the prior day. Songs were rehearsed and refined and then it was time to celebrate! Delicious hors d’oeuvres were served along with a champagne toast dedicated to the legacy of the choir. Everyone was in a great mood and it was nice to see choir veterans and newer members laughing and joking together. Even the choir motto, which was sung as the night drew to a close, had fresh life and power breathed into it.

It’s important to honour the history of the choir, so here’s a little more about the past 25 years. The idea to start a new mixed choir came in the winter of 1994 from Mall Puhm, who decided to gather members of the Estonian community who were active especially in the music scene to discuss the possible formation of the choir. The thought was for the choir to be based out of Tartu College (TC) and call it their home and thanks to the generous financial support and interest from then president of TC Elmar Tampõld, idea became reality. “Ööbik” would belong under the umbrella of the TC Cultural Program and would hold their practices in the large hall. Mr. Tampõld was honoured as patron and honourary member of the choir. The Toronto Academic Mixed Choir was officially established on February 2nd, 1995.

But why is it named the Toronto Academic Mixed Choir “Ööbik?” In the beginning, it was anticipated that the choir would catch the interest of people already associated with Estonian fraternities and sororities. The name “Ööbik,” or nightingale, comes from one of Lydia Koidula’s texts which one of the choir founding members Charles Kipper wrote the music for and which became our motto. It’s called “Teretamine” (“Welcoming”) and the last two lines of the song say it all: “Nightingale, go and find your friends, bird of the motherland…” The choir ended up attracting many people from outside of the academic organizations, including music teachers and generally people with a love, interest, and some kind of background in music. All of a sudden, “Ööbik” took off!

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Ööbik on their 25th anniversary February 3rd, 2020.

Photo: Jüri Laansoo

,,Ööbik“ on their first anniversary 24 years ago. First row: Elsi Truant, Anneli Jaeggin, Tamara Norheim-Lehela, Charles Kipper, Mall Puhm, Avo Kittask, Erika Pahapill, Allan Liik. Second row: Elle Orav, Alliki Arro, Tiina Otema, Alli Vähi, Marje Laansoo, Aime Hanslep, Kersti Lepik, Tiina Timusk. Third row: Andres Raudsepp, Kai Hansson, Reet Lindau-Voksepp, Maret Pajo, Anne Altosaar, Selma Hogg, Mare-Lii Eelnurme, Aino Uus. Fourth row: Urmas Migur, Aksel Pügi, Jaak Riga, Tõnu Altosaar, Jüri Laansoo, Rein Pajo, Juhani Eistrat, Mati Matsoo, Ülo Isberg.