Saari, Jouko (1944–)

Jouko Saari, a conductor and composer, was born in Stockholm on November 23, 1944. He graduated from Kallio Collegiate School in 1962 and studied at the Sibelius Academy in 1962-68, graduating in orchestra conducting in 1968. He also holds graduate degrees in school, church and general music majoring in organ and trumpet. He studied musicology at the University of Helsinki in 1965-67 and as a Fulbright Fellow in 1969-70 in orchestra conducting and opera at Indiana University.

Jouko Saari has worked as an organist, music teacher, trumpeter, accompanist and assistant in orchestras. He has also worked as a co-director, choir conductor and conductor at various opera societies, theaters, Savonlinna Opera Festival and the Finnish National Opera.
Since 1968, Saari has been conducting as a conductor in Finland and abroad. He has had engagements in Hämeenlinna, Tampere, Cologne and Gothenburg operas and Lahti (1978-84). Today she is a freelance musician and conductor.

His own composition has also emerged with the same versatility. Composed for brass band since 1960. Recorded by Töölö Brass. From 1973 comes Meditation for strings. In addition, singing and choral works (eg Sea and the Beach, Summer Night and Three Christmas Carols for Mixed Choir), spiritual songs, organ arrangements, Suite for three trumpets, Suite for organ and brass, and chamber music for wind instruments. In 2000, he won the Nurmes Christmas Song Contest with the composition “For a moment, a quiet country”.

The island characterizes his works as small-scale use music. Studies at the Sibelius Academy in particular and practical experience in music have been important. “I am an amateur composer”, says Saari modestly.