The Veteli Boy Choir, which is coming to the United States as part of FinnFest 2008, will perform at 7 p.m. Sunday, July 27, at St. Matthew's Lutheran Church in Esko. The choir, from Veteli, Finland, has toured throughout Europe, including a performance at the Vatican for the Pope. Their last visit to the United States was in 1995.
Under the direction of Simo Kangas, the choir was organized in 1985 and consisted of 37 young boys selected from grade schools throughout Veteli. Original songs were arranged for soprano and alto boy voices only. As the original singers aged, arrangements for lower voices were added.
The Veteli Boy Choir's repertoire today consists mainly of Finnish folk songs and spiritual works, from composers such as Sibelius, Schubert, Vivaldi, Bach and Mozart. The choir is accompanied by both piano and guitar. Its program at St. Matthews will include an organ performance by a young talent from the choir.
St. Matthews Lutheran Church is located at 4 Elizabeth Ave., Esko. For more information about the church or the Veteli Boy Choir concert, call 879-3510.
