Rock and jazz, dance, music therapy, classical music
There are many dimensions to the Finnish Music Campus. Piano teacher Teemu Lampela and musician Pirta Paananen both studied on the Campus.
I was surprised at the breadth and diversity of research associated with musicology. I've recently started to think about music from a natural science viewpoint. When does sound become music and what is music?"
These are the thoughts of Teemu Lampela (25), who graduated as a piano teacher from JAMK University of Applied Sciences in autumn 2008. He has gone on to study at Jyväskylä University, majoring in mathematics with music as a subsidiary subject.
At the moment he does not know how he will combine his studies in music and mathematics, but his interest in music continues to deepen as he becomes acquainted with the directions and perspectives of musicology research.
"I believe that bold combinations of subjects and new approaches will open new perspectives into the study of musicology", Lampela says.
The old masters say that musicians have to practise eight hours every day. While he was studying at JAMK University of Applied Sciences, Lampela practised at least five hours per day - and enjoyed it. His repertoire consists mainly of classical piano music.
"Chopin, Mozart and Bach naturally have their own places in a pianist's repertoire. But I enjoy just as much playing newer art music written for the piano."
At present Lampela teaches at a private music school for a couple of days each week. His students are 7-16 year-olds, and through them he has also had to broaden his own musical skills.
"I've started wondering what kind of light music could be used for teaching purposes."
Pirta Paananen (25) completed her vocational qualification in music at Jyväskylä College in spring 2008. Paananen, who mainly sings pop and jazz, has been interested in music since the age of six. She says that many of those studying pop and jazz hope to perform. She believes this is a challenging career choice, because the competition is tough and performers need a lot of talent in addition to being able to sing well.
"Singers have to be able to communicate with their audience. They should never underestimate the audience."
"The big thing for young people at the moment is to become a pop star. Their dreams are fed by the media, especially television shows like the 'Idols' format," Paananen explains. Studying for her vocational qualification expanded her knowledge of music and helped her to consider what role music will have in the future.
"My teacher, Maija Hapuoja, who is well-known in music circles, helped to broaden my knowledge of the different styles in pop and jazz."
Paananen has performed at many different types of events and functions. The genre she has made her own is new spiritual music with influences from the world of pop. Since completing her qualification, Pirta Paananen has gone on to study business administration at JAMK University of Applied Sciences.
"I particularly want to develop my abilities in the management and leadership area. I'm sure that my studies in both music and business will be useful in my career, because the world of work increasingly requires diverse skills and flexibility", she concludes.
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In the future Finland will have only a few educational clusters focusing on music. Jyväskylä is a unique, internationally recognized environment for music education, research, development and competence.
"A central strength of the Music Campus is its research into the well-being effects of music and their application in community development. One of the leading units in its field, located on the Campus, is the University's Centre of Excellence in Interdisciplinary Music Research", states Petri Jussila, Project Manager of the Finnish Music Campus.
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Photos: When Teemu Lampela's family moved to Jyväskylä around ten years ago from northern Finland, he saw his new situation as an opportunity. Lampela, who has been playing the piano from the age of eight, attended an upper secondary school in Jyväskylä and then went on to study the piano at Jyväskylä College.
Pirta Paananen has performed at many different types of events and functions. "Good musicians captivate their audience."
Words by Timo Sillanpää Photo by Petteri Kivimäki