I have always sung, solo as well as in a choir. I had been at the University for quite a while and I had already graduated when I found out of the many societies my own choir, the Academic Choral Society, in 1994. At that time there were around 150 members in the choir and almost the same number of singers on stage. In those days the choir’s basic repertoire consisted of major orchestral works, masses, oratorios and passions.

The highlights of my choral career were, of course, performing at university graduation ceremonies. We have sung many times at the philosophy faculty’s ceremonies, as well as at celebrations in the Faculties of Theology and Medicine. The only one that seems to be missing is veterinary science.

At a celebration in March 2015 in honour of the University’s 375th anniversary, we were invited to present the rarely heard Jean Sibelius and Richard Faltin graduation cantata from the 1890s, along with the Helsinki University Symphony Orchestra.

I have been in the Academic Choral Society for 22 years. Initially I was very active in the choir, that is to say the running of the association. I was the chairperson for three years and on the board for seven. Now as an emerita, I only sing and enjoy the good company and the music!

And because one choir is just not enough, there has to be two - I am a member of the vocal ensemble Incanto, but I have only sung with them for 10 years.