Wind orchestras to take bigger role at 2028 Song Festival

Wind orchestras will have a larger role than usual at Estonia’s 2028 Song Festival, ERR reported. Orchestra leaders from across Estonia met in Türi on Sunday to play through the festival repertoire.

The leaders said the programme was well chosen and included pieces that smaller ensembles could also perform. They also gave feedback on the scores so corrections can be made before they go to print.

Young composer Joonas Neumann will make his debut at the festival with an arrangement of two passages from Evald Aav’s opera “Vikerlased”. He said he had combined two themes into one piece: the Warriors’ Chorus, followed by a duet between Ülo and Juta as the middle section. Neumann said the feedback had been positive and only a few changes were needed.

Kersti Perandi, conductor of the Väägvere brass band, described the repertoire as varied and said it would be useful for smaller orchestras to have festival pieces they could continue performing afterwards. Gunnar Pettaig, conductor of the Tartu Tamme Gymnasium wind orchestra, said it was motivating for young musicians to play familiar classical works in modern arrangements, including “Kuldrannake”.

Wind orchestras will perform at the festival’s Great Arch and hold a gala concert at Kalev Sports Hall, artistic director Riivo Jõgi said. Registration remains open until October 31. The scores are expected to be ready early next year, after which the repertoire will be recorded for orchestra leaders.