Two Small Kantele Weekends in Summer 2016
News
January 10, 2016
In the same way as last summer, there will be two small kantele weekends also this summer at the organic farm of Kortisto in Ohkola, Mäntsälä. The first weekend, July 1-3, will be a 5-string kantele course meant for the beginners, and the second weekend, July 29-31, will be the intermediate course with kanteles from 5 to 15 strings.
The view from the pond towards the sauna entrance and the log house “Pelkkatupa”.
The Kortisto estate, www.kortistontila.fi, is located in the village of Ohkola in Mäntsälä, only 45 km from Helsinki. At the farm there is a hand-hewn log house called Pelkkatupa, completed in 2011. It has bright and cozy rooms, perfect for the lessons, and also accommodation in double rooms. The terrace is facing the pond, in which you can go swimming straight from the Saturday night smoke sauna! We will spend two marvellous kantele weekends enjoying good food, good company and the smoke sauna with the beautiful Finnish nature! And as an extra treat for those who are interested there is also a possibility to book a peat treatment.
The owners of the farm, Eija and Jussi Hynninen.
The Intermediate course enjoying a lunch in Summer 2015.
The changing room for the sauna.
Our English participants, Tina Ramnarine and Clive Tolley, at the Intermediate course in 2015.
THE BEGINNERS COURSE, July 1-3, 2016
The course is meant for adults who wish to stop for a moment to experience kantele music and refresh themselves by producing their own music on their own terms. Previous musical background is not required. It is also possible to loan a kantele during the course. The participants are taught the basic playing techniques on the 5-string kantele and they are encouraged to produce their own music by improvising. The teacher, D.Mus. Arja Kastinen, plays also a concert for the course participants; a 45 min. improvisation after the Saturday lunch, during which the listeners can lay on mattresses if they wish, and take a little nap!
The price, 260 €, contains 10 lessons, food, accommodation in 2 bedded rooms, a concert during Saturday, and the smoke sauna on Saturday evening. The course starts with dinner at 6 p.m. on Friday, and will end with lunch at 12 on Sunday.
The course can accommodate up to 10 participants. Registration by the 31th of May, at the latest.
When you register, please tell your contact information, your age, and if you need to loan the kantele for the course.
REGISTRATION and inquiries: arja.kastinen@www.temps.fi
The beginners course participants (one missing from the photo) in 2015.
Getting ready for the concert.
THE INTERMEDIATE COURSE, July 29-31, 2016
In the intermediate course it is possible to play all kinds of small kanteles from 5 to 15 strings, and the participants are expected to have the basic playing skills already. We learn improvisation and better mastery of playing techniques, and the creation of different timbres. The main focus, however, remains in the personal relationship with the player and the instrument.
The price, 260 €, contains 10 lessons, food, accommodation in 2 bedded rooms, a concert during Saturday (see the info from the beginners course), and the smoke sauna on Saturday evening. The course starts with dinner at 6 p.m. on Friday, and will end with lunch at 12 on Sunday.
The course can accommodate up to 10 participants. Registration by the 30th of June, at the latest.
When you register, please tell your contact information, your age, and what kind of kantele you are playing, and if there is a need to loan a kantele for the course.
REGISTRATION and inquiries: arja.kastinen@www.temps.fi
The first night in the hut with the intermediate course in 2015.
The intermediate course at work in 2015.
You are most warmly welcome!