Youth Choir Laurus ~ Finland

The Youth Choir Laurus was founded in 1995. In the choir there are about forty girls aged 12-22 all actively related to music. From the beginning the choir has been singing under the direction of Heidi Harinen.

The various repertoire of the choir contains domestic and foreign art music from different ages and folk music from different countries. The majority of the music is performed a cappella. The choir has co-operated with the chamber orchestra of the Music Institute of Vantaa.

The choir performs and gives concerts actively and it has also successfully taken part in choir events in Europe. A week-end camp is organized twice a year.

At The Tampere Vocal Music Festival 2001 Laurus got three silvers, 2003 one gold and 2007 two gold labels. In 2007 the choir participated Loiste festival and the International Sympaatti festival in Finland.

In addition to domestic concerts Laurus has given concerts in Prague and Paris. In summers 2002 and 2008 the choir performed successfully in the international choir festival Alta Pusteria in northern Italy. 2003 the choir participated to the Choral festival in Cork, Ireland. Spring 2006 the choir performed at the Neerpelt Festival in Belgium and got the first prize.

In 2007 - 2008 the Finnish Broadcasting Company YLE named Laurus as the youth choir of the year.

In autumn 2001 the choir published its first album 'Laurus'. The second album 'Jucundare' was published in autumn 2003. The third album 'Joulukertomus' (Christmas Songs) was published together with the Laurus Chamber Choir in autumn 2006.

Heidi Harinen, conductor

Heidi Harinen is a music class teacher. She conducts 3 choirs that she has founded; rewarded lower elementary school choir, Laurus Youth Choir and Adults Laurus - Chamber Choir. Heidi Harinen recieved the conductors prize at Tampere Vocal Music Festival 2007. She has studied conducting in different courses in Finland, Hungary and the United Kingdom.