Dear friends of military music,

This year again, international cooperation comes forth in our productions; virtuosic Finnish military music will be taken to be heard and seen in Sweden, Switzerland and the Netherlands.   In the summer, we will get to enjoy the international Hamina Tattoo. In addition to impressive figure marching shows, warm-spirited garden concerts part of the Tattoo will provide the audience and performers with unique and memorable experiences.  In 2024, the Hamina Tattoo – holding up the Northern Dimension theme – will be a historic event due to Finland having become a new NATO member state – this makes the Tattoo all the more interesting for the performers and audience alike.  Next to splendid international performers, we will once again get to enjoy Finnish top artistry in the field of military music and figure marching.

In addition to projects abroad, our bands will be seen and heard at a number of different locations in Finland.  Summer in Helsinki will be gingered up by Guards Parades and MIL Espa concerts.  The Defence Forces MILJazz Summer Tour visiting eight locations will, in turn, make the audience dance to groovy dance music at open-air concerts.  We will also have an opportunity to enjoy music by the living legend of Finnish music, Pepe Willberg. He will make an appearance as a soloist of the Navy and Dragoon Bands performing a wide variety of music from evergeen classics to new pieces on the Saimaa album.

Versatility is one of the strengths of our military bands making it possible for us to build our repertoires so that there will be something for everyone to enjoy.  Our future concert production will offer the audience music from classical wind instrument music to big band jazz and from Atso Almila’s alto saxophone concerto to Henry Mancini’s most beloved film music classics.  The Finnish Military Bands’ Concert Calendar online presents the concerts of all of our six military bands.  I also recommend that you take a look at our bands’ versatile activities and events coming up through social media channels.

I’ll see you at the concerts!

Timo Kotilainen

Chief Conductor of the Finnish Defence Forces, Commander (Mus.)