Rainbow Strings (RS) is a little festival arisen from a close friendship between young people playing folk music and classic music in the Russian
republic of
Karelia ,
North Karelia in , Västerbotten län in and Nordland fylke in the
North Norway . It has been arranged by turns by a network of voluntary working enthusiasts in four countries: In Lycksele in 2002, in Mo i Rana and Petrozavodsk in 2003 (on the occasion of its 300 year anniversary), in Mosjøen in 2004 (as a part of Toppen Summer School of Music), and in Rääkkylä in 2005 (as a part of Kihaus, Finland’s next biggest folk music festival).
RS is arranged for youth playing string instruments and traditional folk music instruments. Many are also singer and dancers, and teach the others. The most important music for joint rehearsals and performances in orchestras and groups is the great diversity of Nordic and North European folk music and music created on the basis of folk music.
The Rainbow Strings “movement” is also a gateway for better understanding and more knowledge and appreciation of the compound culture within the four adjacent countries – music without borders! Not only the young participants will take pleasure in this. Teachers of music will hopefully be inspired to use this new experience later. In addition to the program of music RS also is a “school” of organising a closer co-operation and neighbourhood – and that’s what everybody wants!
The events in 2006. This year it’s again Mosjøen’s go to arrange RS. Like we did in 2004 Toppen Summer School of Music will be the host of RS. The events will happen 14th-20th August. We expect about 100 participants from 9 countries, and about 20 professional musicians will be the conductors and teachers. For the first time there will be a symphonic orchestra, so players of wind instruments are invited to come too. As usual there will be a lot of chamber groups, an improvisation workshop, individual lessons and theory. Plans are being made to put together a big RS orchestra, with participants from many countries. There will be a joint program consisting of a folk music repertory from all the countries. In addition to the big orchestra, rehearsals and performances for the various national groups will be on the program. We also expect a group from West Highlands in , to contribute in the symphonic orchestra, hopefully also as folk music players.
|
