Our journey started in 2009 with the Sydney Estonian choir, Lõke, participating as featured choir at “In Harmony” 2009 in Sydney, NSW.
“In Harmony” is the brain-child of Musical Director, Rachelle Elliott and celebrates cultural diversity through shared music making and singing. In December 2011 the idea of participating in Laulupidu 2014 became more than a dream, with the decision for Lõke, “In
Harmony” and the Estonian community in Sydney to join together to create Kooskõlas, to audition for a performance place at Laulupidu 2014. Kooskõlas started rehearsals in February 2013. As many members come from up to 3 hours drive away from Sydney and can’t make weekly rehearsals, it has been important to create a sense of belonging and mutual understanding when we do come together. We’ve celebrated with champagne and cake at the end of rehearsals, cried together over the Singing Revolution history film, sung for the Thirlmere Estonian Village celebrations of re-independence and performed for re-independence day in Sydney in front of the newly appointed Estonian Consulate General to Australia. A number of the singers participating in this project are native Estonians or second-generation Estonians and have attended Laulupidu before. They have helped the non-Estonians with pronunciation, with interpretation and with feeling the rhythms and emotions expressed in Estonian music and in the Laulupidu 2014 repertoire. Rachelle Elliott, Artistic Director and Conductor. Rachelle comes with 10 yrs experience in choral conducting working with all ages and a variety of vocal styles. She runs ‘In Harmony’ activities each year. Siiri Iismaa, Laulupidu liaison. Siiri is a native Estonian speaker, lover of music and member of Lõke. Kieran Scott, Kooskõlas liaison. Kieran is the Musical Director of Lõke and is heavily involved with musical activities in the Estonian community. Lembit Suur, Advisor. Lembit is a native Estonian
