Revival of the concerts for schoolchildren

In 1949, during Similä’s term as conductor, the HPO revived the concerts for schoolchildren launched on the initiative of Georg Schnéevoigt. They were held about once a month, in either Finnish or Swedish, and they were usually themed according to a particular era, such as the Middle Ages, the Renaissance or Classicism. The demand was enormous. Again, the aim of the concerts was to educate a new audience generation. Helsinki was at the same time in general debating ways of making music available to young people.

In December 1952, Paavo Berglund conducted one of the HPO’s concerts for schoolchildren at the beginning of his term as conductor.

Source: Einari Marvia & Matti Vainio – Helsingin kaupunginorkesteri 1882–1982