Atelier

Long (8 days)

L10

Many countries, one language: music!

Explore and sing songs mainly from Africa, and South America. Experience transcultural music, and groove to rhythmic traditions. Join us for an inspirational, joyful time!

Many countries, one language: music!

« Welcome to join my workshop, to sing and explore songs I have been privileged to learn from my colleagues from Africa, South America and Finland. During the days we work with one song from each of these countries: Senegal, Tanzania / Finland, Mali, Brasil and Cuba. As a choral arranger and global music lecturer, I have wished to write and provide these songs on paper with love and respect, expressing the transcultural inspiration from my own background and the song´s origin.
If we feel like it, we can also add more songs from these countries to our days, which you will then be learning as we go, by ear. We will also be jamming and grooving around, wishing to get closer to the rhythmic aesthetics of the tradition behind the songs. Singing, stepping and using our bodies to internalize groove and the joy of the music. I’m looking forward spending inspirational, relaxed, joyful and focused time with a group of curious minded people from any aesthetics. » Merzi

Repertoire

Subject to changes

  • Kalabante / trad from Senegal, arranged Merzi Rajala
  • Guantanamera / Cuba, arranged Conrado Monier, orchestrated to mixed choir Merzi Rajala
  • Lala Mwanangu / Tanzania – Finland, comp Puro Paju, lyrics Kasheshi Makena, arr Merzi Rajala
  • Yagba / trad Mali, arranged Merzi Rajala
  • Emorio / Brasil, comp and lyrics Joao Donato, Gilberto Gil, arr. Federico Trindade

Biography

Merzi Rajala

Singer, composer and teacher, Merzi Rajala pioneered the concept of “rhythmic” choir directing in Finland. She is specialised in pop, world fusion music and choral improvisation. Alongside her own choral work, Merzi teaches a course in Global Choir Leadership at the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki. She prefers an interactive approach to music to bring out a sincere and authentic groove in choral music interpretation.

Start and End Dates :

31/07/25

-

07/08/25

Level :

easy

Voicing :

Mixed voices

Language :

English

Country of the conductor :

Finland

Preparation :

Without preparation

Long (8 days)

Atelier concert during festival