Aarne Saluveer

b. July 28, 1959 Tartu
Founder member of the Estonian Society for Music Education
Member of the Council of World Choir Games since 2005
Board member of IFCM since 2008

Aarne Saluveer graduated from Tallinn State Conservatory (choral conducting and music pedagogics) in 1982 and has since furthered his studies at diverse courses in Estonia and abroad (Mozarteum, Salzburg etc.).

Aarne Saluveer is one of the most active figures in the Estonian children’s and youth music scene, a teacher, conductor and educator. Currently he conducts the Estonian TV Girls’ Choir, since 2006 he holds the posts of Principal at Tallinn G. Ots Music College.

Aarne Saluveer’s choirs have won international awards at diverse Estonian and international choral contests (Tolosa, Gorizia, Arezzo, Arnhem, Let the Peoples Sing, etc). The Lasteekraan Music Studio he founded in 1990 has amply produced skilful choral singers and highly acclaimed soloists. He has participated as leader/artistic director in numerous projects.

Since 1993 he has conducted children’s and toddler’s choirs at Estonian Song Celebrations, and was Artistic Director of 10th Youth Song Celebration Ilmapuu (2007): open-air concert uniting joint choir of 20 000 singers, symphony orchestras, brass bands and 100 000 spectators. The introductory project of the festival “World Tree“ won a prize at Many Musics in Europe Contest of European Music Council (2005).

He has conducted concerts to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and Their Majesties Japanese Emperor and Empress at their visits to Estonia, has been artistic director of Anniversary Concert of Estonian Republic, written and arranged music for diverse pop music projects and performed as an instrumentalist and vocalist, Eurovision song contests and international broadcasts included.

Some other landmarks: Carl Orff Schulwerk application course at Estonian Music Academy; in 1982-1990 music teacher in Viimsi Gymnasium; in 1990-2000 music producer of children’s programs at Eesti Televisioon (ETV); in 2000-2006 led the Department of Fine Arts at Rocca al Mare School (Tallinn); 1990-2004 founder, music director and chief conductor of Lasteekraan Music Studio; 2000–2012 President of Estonian Choral Association; 2000–2009 Member of European Federation of Young Choirs Europa Cantat. He has also been conductor of Mixed Choir of Tallinn Georg Ots Music College, Chamber Choir of Tallinn University and Tartu University Viljandi Cultural Academy Chamber Choir.

Aarne Saluveer has made presentations at numerous international conferences and symposiums (World Music Forum in Los Angeles 2005, Assembly of Choral Conductors’ Associations in Buenos Aires 2006, World of Children’s Choirs in Vancouver 2001, General Assemblies of Europa Cantat) and led international workshops in Europe and America. He has published articles in International Choral Bulletin and Europa Cantat Magazine, worked as adjuciator in several choral contests, etc. Saluveer was awarded the annual prize of Estonian Cultural Endowment in 1999, 2006 and 2007, the annual prize of the UNICEF Estonian National Committee in 2002 and 2007, grant of Heino Kaljuste Foundation in 2007 and decorated with the Order of the White Star of the Republic of Estonia in 2004. Aarne Saluveer was elected Musician of the Year 2007 by Estonian Public National Broadcasting and Conductor of the Year 2007 by Estonian Choral Association.

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