Estonian Military Orchestra to hold charity concerts in support of Ukraine — ERR News
In Estonia, the Estonian Military Orchestra will hold festive concerts on October 7 at St. Paul's Church in Viljandi and on October 8 at the Estonia Concert Hall in Tallinn. The performances are dedicated to the 108th anniversary of Estonian military music and the ensemble's fifth year of work at the Estonian War Museum.
As ERR News reports, the guest conductor will be Major Liubomyr Sukennyk, head of the Military Music Center of the Naval Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Estonian and Ukrainian music
The concert program will consist of works by Estonian composers and Ukrainian national music. Both performances will be charitable. Proceeds from ticket sales for the Viljandi concert will be transferred to the non-governmental organization Sõdurilt Sõdurile, which supports Ukrainian units at the front, including by purchasing non-lethal equipment and medical supplies.
Samuel Jalakas, head of the Estonian Military Orchestra, said that during its five years of work at the Estonian War Museum, the ensemble has been actively involved in state ceremonies and official events. According to him, the musicians are pleased to hold two public concerts and thank listeners and supporters.
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Cooperation with Ukrainian musicians
Jalakas also noted that the orchestra had already collaborated with Major Sukennyk during jazz ensemble concerts in Tallinn this spring. The Ukrainian orchestra has been known to the Estonian public since May 2022, when Tallinn hosted the largest Ukrainian classical music festival in exile for the first time.
During broadcasts of those concerts on ETV and ETV2 television channels, viewers donated a total of €30,000. Half of the amount was directed toward purchasing body armor for members of the Ukrainian orchestra. This spring, a smaller lineup of the ensemble also performed in Tallinn, including at charity concerts together with the Estonian Military Orchestra.
The beginning of Estonian military music is considered to be the establishment of the 1st Infantry Regiment orchestra on November 24, 1918. Since October 1, 2021, the ensemble has operated under its current name at the Estonian War Museum.
