Music Task

I will explain my experience about, what I think to be one of the most famous style of music among young people in Finland, Finnish rap. In this case, I will talk about the Finnish Rap group of Nost3 & Protro.

To introduce the band, Vilho "Nost3" Ihaksi and Tero "Protro" Vesalainen are from Kouvola in the southern of Finland, one hour and a half from Helsinki with car. They became famous from publishing their songs in Youtube, those had an ironic humor, after that they started gaining importance and they made songs with another famous singers of Internet. Nowadays, in their Youtube channel they have videos with more than five milion views.

My story started the night of Tursajaiset, it was on a Wednesday and I have been participating during all the afternoon in few activities around Kokkola organized by COPSA (a organization of students in Centria university). The activities went from trying to make a photo in which a list of objects should appear to making a performance that made any sense. After that, they organized a party in the Calle Night Club and there they would say the winners of the Tursajaiset.

After giving the awards, the Finnish Rap group started the concert. All the Fins in the club knew, or at least had heard of Nost3 & Protro before, but for me, like an exchange student, I didn't know who were these two youngsters. I didn't understand any word of the lyrics because they only sing in Finnish but I could enjoy the music and the rhymes. After that night I could find the group on Internet and some songs of them in Youtube and I could understand that some of their songs talk about the climate changing or the homophobia.

In conclusion the group was really nice and I had a lot of fun that night although I didn't understand any of their songs.

Music task

On 5.11.2015, I went to a music concert in Kokkolan Conservatory. 

This concert was held by the music school, with the participation of the teachers and the students in all age groups. It was my very first time to join in such a great concert since the day I came to Finland. 

Each performance lasted for about 4-5 minutes, which was very interesting as I had chances to enjoy different pieces of music written by different composers. 

There were several instruments that were used: piano, violin, contrabass, cello. I was so surprised to see how competently they played the music, even with the little kids, and the spirits they gave to their performances. The audiences threw themselves into the music, together with the performers experiencing the levels of emotions.

During the concert, I could listen to some songs written by a Finnish composer: Erkki Melartin. Erkki Melartin (7.2.1875-14.2.1937) was a famous Finnish composer. As well as composing, Melartin also taught and directed music at the Helsinki Music College, later the Helsinki Conservatory. His works are divided mainly into large-scale works for orchestra, and chamber pieces for much smaller groups and soloists. In spite of working in the same time period as Jean Sibelius, he was not influenced by the more famous composer's style, and his work has been largely overshadowed by Finland's most revered composer.

Thanks to the concert, I had such a great experience. If I have chance, I'll definitely comeback.

Music Task

On the orientation day, we went to the school and the bus took us to another Centria campus. I was wondering how the new campus look like. After go a round to see a new campus, we came to the hall.

They sang some English songs and of course Finnish ones. I really like the band and the main singer. The main singer – she sang very well. After listening some English songs, we listened Finnish National Anthem - "Maamme". I tried to read the lyric on the hand out and sang along with everyone. However, this is the first time I sang a Finnish song so it is quite a little bit difficult for me but I tried my best.

I thought the interest and great part of music was to enable to share the feelings or nice time with people, even if they don't speak same languages.The band gave me a wonderful moment.

I hope I can have more chance to enjoy Finnish music. :)

Music Task

　On 8th of October, i went to see the music concert, which name is Centria Night Music at Kokkolan Conservatory. It was first time for me to see the Finnish concert. I got the pamphlet written by Finnish, so it was hard for me to watch it where the artist was playing at that time. However the pamphlet have lyrics, so it was interesting that I could listen and read Finnish song at the same time.

　During this concert, I could some songs written by Jean Sibelius. He was one of the famous Finnish composer and he is essential person for independent of Finland. He was born in 8th of December, 1865 in Swedish speaking family in Finland. Therefore his mother tongue is Swedish. When he is 20 years old, he entered Helsinki Music Institute (now the Sibelius academy). He had studied music there for 4 years. After graduate, he continued studying in Berlin and Vienna. On 28th of April, 1892 he was premiered and got enormous success.

　 In this concert, the main style of playing was opera. In addition, the concert hall was small, so I could head the great voice directly. I couldn't understand the lyric's meaning, but I enjoyed great time.
　

D-I-E

Two weeks ago I and my friends went to "The corner" pub to talk and have fun. After 2 hours, we went home and unfortunately I forgot my phone at the pub.
I was very panicked because only after I was home had I realized that I didn't have my phone with me. I thought my phone would have disappeared because in Vietnam, my country, robbery is very common. However, I decided to look for it at the pub the day after. I went to the pub again the following day, I asked the bartender if he had seen my phone anywhere but he said no. I felt really bad, I thought I had lost my phone for real. My friend tried calling my number and it was still ringing, which gave me a lot of hopes. At that moment, a guy came to me, he was holding my phone in his hand and he said he found it under a chair, which was the chair we sit the night before. I was significantly surprised because my phone was still at the place it had been. I thanked the guy for his help and honesty.
That was a nice cultural experience in Finland. Before I came to Finland, I had been told that Finnish people were really honest and kind. Of course, seeing is better than hearing. I am thankful that I had the chance to see the Finnish's kindness. I think the reason for this is because Finland is a peaceful country and the people have no reason to steal someone's stuff since their lives are generally good and fulfilled.

Music Task

             On October 8th, I went to the concert, Centria Night Music, to listen to the performances by students and teachers. I couldn't catch the meanings of songs because they weren't sung in English, and I'm not sure if I can understand if it was in English, but I enjoyed them guessing what the singer was singing and what the players wanted to express. The sound was very pleasant, I could have a very comfortable time.

            I like the last two groups. Our friend Collin, one of the exchange students,

also played the bass guitar in one band.

           They sang some English songs and of course Finnish one. When I was listening to a Finnish song, for some reasons sometimes I felt like it sounded like Japanese songs. I think it is because of similarities between Finnish and Japanese pronunciations. I thought the interest and great part of music was to enable to share the feelings or nice time with people, even if they don't speak same languages.  All performers gave a wonderful moment for us. Thank you.

Mid-term feedback and Comany visit info

Dear students,

You'll find the follow-up questionnaire related to the course here.

There is also a question about your participation in our company visit to CABB. The CABB visit is not possible during our normal class time. The best other option is Wednesday morning, 9.12.2015, starting at 7:45-10:30. We will visit Port Tower for safety instruction, then go to CABB premises for a company presentation followed with a visit to their production plant :-)

The visit is an obligatory part of the course. Tick yes for normal participation. If you have an overlapping course, and cannot participate, write that in "other". The company needs all participants names, due to safety reasons.

Fill out the questionnaire  by 9.11.2015

http://goo.gl/forms/BewQXsLGdo

Have a good weekend!
Linda Krokfors