Registration instructions for folk music instrument and voice level performances
This page contains registration instructions for level performances in folk music as well as the schedule and locations.
Registration
Registration for level performances takes place in the Skills Path. Registration for spring performances will take place in January (no later than 31 January) and autumn performances in September (no later than 15 September). Registration applies to A, B, C and D level performances. Check the study guide for the requirements for level performances. Please note that levels D, C and B are performed acoustically, but level A includes the possibility of a sound system.
Level performance schedule and locations
Level performance dates are listed below. You can record any requests for the concert days below in connection with the Skills Path registration. We aim to consider requests in scheduling. The teacher-in-charge will confirm the date of the concert for you. Teacher-in-charge in academic year 2023-2024: Anna-Kaisa Liedes.
Autumn 2023
Level A
15.11.2023 Black Box
16.11.2023 Black Box
22.11.2023 Black Box
23.11.2023 Black Box
24.11.2023 Black Box
Level B
Outside the Sibelius Academy (location tba)
Levels C and D
30.10.2023 R Chamber Music Hall
Spring 2024
Level A
29.4.2024 Black Box
30.4.2024 Black Box
6.5.2024 Black Box
7.5.2024 Black Box
20.5.2024 Black Box
21.5.2024 Black Box
22.5.2024 Black Box
23.5.2024 Black Box
24.5.2024 Black Box
Level B
Outside the Sibelius Academy (location tba)
Levels C and D
27.5.2024 R Chamber Music Hall
28.5.2024 R Chamber Music Hall
29.5.2024 R Chamber Music Hall
Autumn 2024
Level A
13.11.2024 Black Box
14.11.2024 Black Box
15.11.2024 Black Box
Level B
Outside the Sibelius Academy (location tba)
Levels C and D
31.10.2024 R Chamber Music Hall
Spring 2025
Level A
28.4.2025 Black Box
29.4.2025 Black Box
30.4.2025 Camerata
5.5.2025 Camerata
19.5.2025 Black Box
20.5.2025 Black Box
21.5.2025 Black Box
22.5.2025 Black Box
23.5.2025 Black Box
Level B
Outside the Sibelius Academy (location tba)
Levels C and D
26.5.2025 Camerata
27.5.2025 Camerata
28.5.2025 Camerata
Autumn 2025
Level A
12.11.2025 Black Box
13.11.2025 Black Box
14.11.2025 Black Box
Level B
Outside the Sibelius Academy (location tba)
Levels C and D
30.10.2025 R Chamber Music Hall
Spring 2026
Level A
27.4.2026 Black Box
28.4.2026 Black Box
29.4.2026 Camerata
30.4.2026 Camerata
18.5.2026 Black Box
19.5.2026 Black Box
20.5.2026 Black Box
21.5.2026 Black Box
22.5.2026 Black Box
Level B
Outside the Sibelius Academy (location tba)
Levels C and D
27.5.2026 R Chamber Music Hall
28.5.2026 R Chamber Music Hall
29.5.2026 R Chamber Music Hall
Autumn 2026
Level A
11.11.2026 Black Box
12.11.2026 Black Box
13.11.2026 Black Box
Level B
Outside the Sibelius Academy (location tba)
Levels C and D
30.10.2026 R Chamber Music Hall
Spring 2027
Level A
26.4.2027 Black Box
27.4.2027 Black Box
29.4.2027 Camerata
17.5.2027 Black Box
18.5.2027 Black Box
19.5.2027 Black Box
20.5.2027 Black Box
21.5.2027 Black Box
Level B
Outside the Sibelius Academy (location tba)
Levels C and D
27.5.2027 R Chamber Music Hall
28.5.2027 R Chamber Music Hall
29.5.2027 R Chamber Music Hall
Autumn 2027
Level A
10.11.2027 Black Box
11.11.2027 Black Box
12.11.2027 Black Box
Level B
Outside the Sibelius Academy (location tba)
Levels C and D
29.10.2027 R Chamber Music Hall
Process description (only for folk music majors)
The process description is a report written by the student to the committee on which the assessment is based. The student sends the process description to the board, the teacher in charge of the concert and any other teachers one week before the concert.
Throughout their studies, the student keeps a learning diary, i.e. records the stages of their studies and analyses their own learning and development as a musician and artist. You can record insights, successes, difficulties, learning, good/bad ways of studying, successes or challenges in practice, new focuses, choices and other aspects of the process in the learning diary. Based on this diary, the student prepares a report for the committee’s level performance feedback, i.e. a process description and their own opinions.
In the process description, the student informs the committee about their concert’s goals, repertoire and production process. The student’s task is to critically assess their own development. In the report, you could answer these questions: What has the process of preparing this concert been like and how have I developed as a musician in general? Who were the teachers I worked with during the process and how did my work with them take place? What have I learned? How did the concert theme form and why was the repertoire been selected this way? How did the concert music come about? Who wrote the music and assisted in the concert? Key artistic and aesthetic choices and their justifications?
In their own opinion, the student can reflect on the progress of the process and their goals, also highlight what happened after the panel report was written, and comment on the ideas brought forth by the concert situation.
Stage tech for Master’s Concerts at the Helsinki Music Centre
Important considerations regarding stage tech
Master’s Concert performers have access to a sound designer and lighting designer, who handle the stage technology. Sometimes, a music technology student may also be available to help. In addition to the sound and light designers, always send set lists, stage maps and musical instrument lists to the producer so that in case of illness, the information is also transferred.
The whole ensemble must be present for the sound check. Remember that the sound check is not a practice or a full pass; there is not enough time for it. The most important thing is to get a feel for the stage, test the sound and find the stage and listening balances.
From the lights and sound perspective, it is a good idea to play a part of every piece during the sound check, and also agree on how the soloist other musicians arrive on the stage, or at least mark a spot if a song has a different configuration.
If you want to add song-specific preferences regarding audio and lighting, send the set list to your concert to the sound and lighting designer to keep track of during the concert. The set list should include:
- The pieces in order
- Short description of each song and its tempo
- Does the performer’s spot change (e.g. the soloist moving from centre stage to the piano)
- Does the piece include a backing track or a significant solo
- Lighting requests (e.g. do you want active or calm lights, or a colour?)
- When is the band being introduced? Other speaking parts?
Equipment at Black Box
- 4 x wireless microphones
- 6 x monitor speakers in their assemblies
Equipment at Sonore
- 4 x wireless microphones
- 4 x monitor speakers in their assemblies
Equipment at Camerata
- 4 x wireless microphones
- 4 x monitor speakers in their assemblies
Due to limited resources and time
- You may not bring your own mixer, unless they are already aware of the hall tech and facilities.
- Dance mats are not available.
- No pyrotech, water etc.
- You cannot bring your own wireless microphones or other wireless devices.
- Any background tapes or soundscapes must be handled by the performers themselves on laptops, mobile phones, etc.
- If you have your own lighting designer, make sure that they can handle the light set in the hall and is able to quickly program the GrandMa2 light table, and that they have agreed on the matter well in advance with the in-house light designer. They will only have the soundcheck (45min) to program the lights.
If you want to use projections, you must arrange for your own assistant. The sound or light designer can lower the screen, turn on the video scanner and provide an HDMI connection. However, you cannot delegate the playback of background visuals (even if it is just a click of a button) to them. The sound and lighting techs have so much to do that it is easy to forget anything else. In any case, remember to note the projections on technical rider.
Master’s Concert outside the Helsinki Music Centre
The student is responsible for concert arrangements outside the Helsinki Music Centre. The student must discuss a concert held outside with the teacher-in-charge of the level performance and the teacher-in-charge of the concert well in advance. If the concert involves expenses, such as facility rent, the student must negotiate the expenses with the head of department six months in advance.
It is possible to borrow the technology team’s portable small PA, music stands and lights for such a concert (to be agreed on well in advance with Marko Myöhänen: siba.avhelp@uniarts.fi).
Recordings of level performances
Level performances are videotaped using the fixed system in the Helsinki Music Centre without a separate request, and if necessary, they can also be recorded on a multitrack. The recordings are available for personal use. Video recordings will be sent as Filesender download links to the level performance candidates’ emails. If you publish a promo tape on social media, etc., make sure you’re aware of the copyright. Commercial use is agreed upon with the director of stage and studio services.
Feedback on level performances
As a rule, feedback discussions are carried out remotely on the first weekday after the level performance. The chair of the level performance sends a Zoom link to the person performing the level performance, the teacher and the board.
Practice room reservations
Once you have reserved your level performance, you can make reserve level performance practice sessions at the Helsinki Music Centre’s 7th floor classroom for up to four months in advance. Use the Peppi calendar to find a free slot and file reservation requests (date, room number and time) at siba.mukavaraukset@uniarts.fi.
Practice reservations can be made as follows:
- Level A and B performance: 12 hours total
- level C performance: 9 hours total
- level D performance: 6 hours total
In addition, you can book practice hours independently in the reservation system in accordance with your existing rights.
If your performance is cancelled
If your performance is cancelled, notify the teacher in charge of the level performance, the department planner, and your teacher as soon as possible. Please note that you may only postpone or cancel your level performance for reasons other than illness eight weeks before the performance date.