Windmill – Estonian Chamber of Wind Orchestra reflects on 2024 with gratitude, noting a year full of successful initiatives and valuable collaborative projects.
Estonian Wind Music Online Radio
The year began with the launch of the Estonian Wind Music Online Radio on Spotify.
Seminar on New Directions in Repertoire Publishing
In April, a seminar titled “New Directions in Wind Orchestra Repertoire Publishing” was held at MUBA in collaboration with the Song Festival Foundation.
Presentations and discussions generated and systematized ideas that could aid in compiling and formatting wind orchestra repertoires for future song festivals.
The third summer school for orchestra conductors
The third summer school for orchestra conductors took place in Võru this time, in collaboration with the National Orchestra Conductors’ Wind Orchestra (VOP). The initiator of the idea and creator of the program was Bert Langeler. The Orchestra Conductors’ Summer School was held in Võru for the third time.
Days filled with practical workshops, inspiring lectures, and concerts provided participants with the opportunity to refine their skills, share knowledge, learn from others’ experiences, and test themselves as conductors in front of the project orchestra VOP (chief conductor Bert Langeler).
Participants particularly appreciated the chance to work with experienced instructors: Professor Toomas Vavilov from the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre, and Dr. Mark U. Reimer, Distinguished Professor at Christopher Newport University (USA).
Educational Sheet Music Publications
The Collana musicale series of educational sheet music publications was launched.
By the end of the year, two sheet music booklets with piano accompaniment, compiled by Kaido Otsing for brass students, were published.
Publishing Activities
Windmill continued its efforts in publishing Estonian wind music.
In 2024, a reprint of Martin Pajumaa’s arrangement of Ülo Vinter’s “Little House by the Sea” was issued; this piece is included in the 2025 Latvian Youth Song Festival wind orchestra program.
Additionally, a new work by Urmas Kõiv, “Neighbors”, arranged for wind orchestra by Sirly Illak-Oluvere, was completed.
Thank you to everyone who contributed to our shared successes in 2024!