ACADEMIC SPOTLIGHT

Young Finnish Masters Visit Manhattan Country School

On Thursday, February 26th, students and staff gathered in the Music Room for a concert with students from Finland. The musicians are visiting New York City and Florida as part of a cultural exchange program. In addition to Manhattan Country School, they will play at Teachers College, Columbia University and Children’s Workshop School. The students and their teachers made the trip abroad to share ideas and experiences about music and music education.

The students attend Lappeenranta, an illustrious music institute located in Southeast Finland that boasts many professional musicians among its graduates. The Young Masters Group consists of pupils aged 10 to 15 traveling with their music teachers. The children have been studying music from an early age at Lappeenranta and play violin, cello, accordion, and piano.

The concert at Manhattan Country School was a true cultural exchange. MCS students shared a freedom song that has much historical significance in our community. The Finnish students shared traditional Finnish Folk songs On the Market of Talikkala and My Sweetheart, as well as classical pieces and modern compositions. MCS students recently arrived from Singapore also played the piano, which they study at the Manhattan School of Music.