 FINN HALL
Finlandia Foundation® National
Performer of the Year 2010
In their October meeting, the Board of Trustees of Finlandia Foundation National (FFN) selected Finn Hall band from Minnesota as a Finlandia Foundation National Performer of the Year (POY) for 2010. Finn Hall’s one-year POY term starts on January 1, 2010.
PHOTO: Ralph Tuttila - mandolin, Cheryl Paschke - violin and nyckelharpa, Dennis Halme - accordion, and Al Reko - accordion and vocals.
Finn Hall is a group of musicians dedicated to preserving and performing the feel and sounds of the old Finn Halls. Their performance remains true to the original tunes – music of earlier generations – and also includes dance numbers of the mid 20th century, such as tangos and humppas. Dance music of other Nordic cultures is in their extensive repertoire, too.
Finn Hall has gone back to the "old country" to learn traditional and contemporary dance music, at the same time deepening their personal connections with living musicians and the places from which band members trace their heritage.
Finn Hall core members are: Al Reko – accordion and vocals, Dennis Halme – accordion, Cheryl Paschke – violin and nyckelharpa, and Ralph Tuttila – mandolin.
Finn Hall friends, who regularly perform with the group, are Gordon Oschwald – bass, and Kip Peltoniemi – guitar. Also when available, Johanna Doty joins on violin.
Finn Hall has been together as a band for over ten years. Frequent performers at FinnFests and Grand Fests in US and Canada, they have toured in Finland and performed at the Kaustinen International Folk Music Festival several times. Most recently, Finn Hall was featured at the FinnFest 09 cruise to Alaska.
Finn Hall has produced two recordings; Muistelmia (Reflections) in 2002 and Tule Tanssimaan (Come Dance) in 2009. For further information go to their website: www.finnhall.com
Through the Finlandia Foundation National’s POY Travel Grant Program, Finn Hall is available for the Foundation’s chapter programs.
For any additional information, please contact Satu Mikkola, Finlandia Foundation National Trustee and Coordinator of the Performer of the year Program at satum@aol.com.
Past POYs
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