Aadu Regi

b. November 03, 1912 Tallinn – d. October 10, 2011
Member of the Estonian Composers Union since 1992
Member of the Estonian Theatre Union since 1967

Aadu Regi studied clarinet in Tallinn Conservatory from 1930 until 1935 with Bernhard Lukk. He has played with many orchestras from 1930 until 1944, after that he played in Vanemuise Theatre Symphony Orchestra until 1945. In the years 1945–1951 he was the general manager of Vanemuine Theatre. In 1951 he was arrested in political reasons and was taken to Siberia, where he was in jail from 1951 until 1956. In 1963 he graduated Tallinn State Conservatory with clarinet in Juhan Kaljaspoolik's class, and has complemented his studies in conducting in Leningrad with Ilja Mussin (1963–1964).

Aadu Regi has worked in Heino Eller Tartu Music School from 1944–1990 (with intervals) as the teacher of clarinet and orchestra class. Among his students there are Hendrik Nagla, Ilmar Lääne, Priit Raik, Endel Nõgene, Jüri Millistfer, Kalev Velthut, Ahti Rääts, Vello Voltein, Tiit Veigel, Margus Kasemaa. From 1956 until 1959 he was the conductor of Tartu State University Symphony Orchestra, in the years 1959–1972 he conducted the string orchestra and wind orchestra of Heino Eller Tartu Music School and from 1960–1985 he conducted the wind orchestra of Tartu Culturehouse. In the years 1957–1974 he was the general manager of the Provincial Singing Day and in 1994 the conductor of the wind and brass orchestras of the Estonian Song Celebration.

From 1992 until 1995 he worked in Muhos Music School in Finland as a clarinet teacher.
In the period 1960–1985 he has made music engraving for different publishing offices, he has written many articles about music in journalism, he has also worked as a music reviewer and put together music method books and commemoration books. Aadu Regi has written music for plays, pieces for wind and brass orchestra (e.g. marches “Morning is dawning”, “Young friends”, “March of May”, “March of the fanfares”, “March of the jubilee”), pieces for clarinet, trumpet and violin and also solo songs (“Eyes”, text by Mart Raud).

Aadu Regi has been given an honorary title of Estonian Soviet Socialist Republic Merited Art Worker in 1989. He is also owner of Silver Order of Finnish War Veteran (2001) and the Fourth Class Order of the White Star (2004). Aadu Regi is the honorary citizen of Tartu city and owner of the Tartu Star Order (2005). He is the honorary member of Estonian Choral Association since 2002.

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