Finnish Choral Society of Seattle in Helsinki Rock Church in Summer  2012

The Finnish Choral Society Of Seattle 

Who are we?

We are a group of men and women who enjoy singing, especially Finnish choral music, for ourselves and our listeners’ pleasure. People in our choir range in age from the teens up to 90. Most of us have some connection with Finnish culture such as ancestry, travel, study, friends or spouses. Some are fascinated by Finnish music and its composers (many others in addition to Sibelius). We are commited to the community to keeping Finnish music alive.

The Finnish Choral Society is one of the few choirs, which still preserves traditional Finnish language choir music in the USA.  The roots date back to 1963, when a choir named “Kaleva Korus” was started.  The choir eventually merged with the West Coast Singers’ Seattle Chapter in the mid 1970’s.  The name Finnish Choral Society was established around 1980.  Earlier choir directors have included Eric Salo, Sirkka Wilson, Florence Mesler and others, with accompaniment provided by the noted Finnish-American composer and pianist John Sundsten.  Current choir conductors are Heather McLaughlin-Garbes and Maria Mannisto.  The choir specializes in Finnish choral music, reflecting  the commitment to keep Finnish choral music alive and make it known.  The choir performs at numerous Finnish and Scandinavian community events, including the Finnish Independence Day celebration, the Yulefest at the Nordic Heritage Museum, the Finland Summer Festival, Scandinavian Heritage Choir Festivals, at retirement homes, etc.  Since 1976 the choir maintains the annual Kalevala Day Festival, which in 2020 will be celebrated at the National Nordic Museum for the 44th time.

 The latest tour to Finland was in summer 2012.  During that tour the choir performed to an enthusiastic public in six venues, including the famous Rock Church (Temppeliaukion kirkko) in Helsinki.  In March 2015 the choir performed at the Benaroya Hall during Seattle Symphony's multi concert series celebrating the 150th anniversary of the birth of Jean Sibelius, who is widely recognized as Finland's national composer.  In November 2017 we again performed at the Benaroya Hall to celebrate Finland's 100th year of Independence

What do we sing?

Mostly Finnish choral numbers, folk songs, patriotic, humorous, sacred and secular. Besides Finnish, we are singing in Swedish, English, German, French, Latin, Estonian and...

When and where do we sing?

We sing at various venues: at the Finnish Lutheran Church Services and events, the Nordic Heritage Museum, retirement homes, Seattle sings, Folklife and events especially within the Finnish and Nordic community like Christmas programs, retirement homes, programs at the National Nordic Museum (Yule Fest) and the Annual Kalevala Festival. 

Rehearsals:   Tuesdays at 7 PM  in person and/or on ZOOMN

at the Finnish Lutheran Church 8504 13th Avenue NW, Seattle (map) 

AND ON ZOOM:   https://us02web.zoom.us/j/2239421655?pwd=K2xtcUc1U3lJZW9jY252eDF6a0FkZz09


Co - Conductors: 

Heather MacLaughlin Garbes (hmgmusic@gmail.com) and  Maria Mannisto (mhmannisto@gmail.com)

New singers are always welcome! 

It's a great opportunity to learn about Finnish music.