Uno Veenre

March 24, 1920 Tartu
Member of the Estonian Composers' Union since 1994

Conductor and composer, legendary figure in Estonian folk music scene.

Uno Veenre studied in Tallinn Conservatory, first double bass in Ilmas Kuusemets’s class (1942–1943), then choral conducting with Tuudur Vettik (1947–1948) and composition under Mart Saar (1952–1953). Additionally he participated in the youth seminar of Estonian Composers’ Union (1952–1958).

Uno Veenre has worked as a senior specialist in House of Folk Art (1954–1958), editor of music broadcasts in Estonian Radio (1958–1967) and director of House of Amateur Arts (1968–1971). As a professional musician he started to play accordion in restaurant Gloria (1940), double bass in cafeteria Drei Hanseaten (1941), John Pori Orchestra (1944) and others. In 1960 he initiated the folk music orchestra under Estonian Radio, from 1965 he was the artistic director of folk music orchestra Vikerlased and female ensemble Põhjapiigad. He was longtime conductor of State Folk Music Orchestra of Orchestra Conductors and has been the general director of folk music orchestras at all general song and dance celebrations from 1960 to 2000.

Uno Veenre has written music (including a number of arrangements) mostly for folk music orchestras, he also has composed choir, ensemble and folksy songs. Beside that he has compiled several folk music orchestra compendiums and songbooks, his own compositions have been published in author-compilation „Songs“ („Laule“, 1970).

Uno Veenre has been ascribed the honorary title of Estonian SSR Merited Worker of Culture (1976), Honorary Badge of the Estonian Folk Dance and Folk Music Association (2003) and the 4th Class Order of the White Star (2007).

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