Pasi Pihlaja

French horn, community musician

It was 11 May 1960, a beautiful May morning. The sun shone and the birds sang. At 07.30, there was a terrible scream in room 3 at the maternity department at Central Finland Central Hospital. It was me, having decided to take a look at what the world was like.

That was when life began. Then came the year 1969, which was important for the world and for myself personally: Apollo 11 flew to the moon, and I picked up the trumpet. After only three months of practice, I could play the theme song from Pippi Longstocking (or so I thought), and I did not hesitate to let the neighbours know about this. I used to practise in the garden, you see.

Soon I had my first gig. Our local priest asked me to play a fanfare at an evening youth meeting. As far as I recall, the fanfare consisted of four open notes, with an accuracy of about 50%. Well, at least the audience was entertained.

My interest in music grew. I went to my first symphony concert at the age of 10, and that may well have been the initial impulse for becoming a professional musician. In the following year, I entered the Jyväskylä Music Institute and soon became enchanted with the horn, a magically aloof and lucid-sounding instrument. I switched to the horn class to study with Torsten Lindfors. In 1977, I was accepted for the Military Music School. Memorable experiences from that time include an Independence Day reception held by President Kekkonen and a Defence Forces music competition where our group won first prize.

In 1979, I was appointed to play Horn with the Jyväskylä Orchestra. In 1981, I decided to audition for the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra. I was accepted for the FRSO and also for the horn class of Kalervo Kulmala at the Sibelius Academy. In 1986, I tested my wings with an engagement in Germany but soon returned to Finland to join the Helsinki Philharmonic. In the meantime, I had started a family and was now a father of two.

In 1987, I successfully auditioned for the newly established Espoo City Orchestra. Chamber music has always been dear to me, so the Tapiola Sinfonietta was an excellent fit. I have liked it here very and have also trained for a specialist qualification as a community musician, working interactively with special needs groups. Years have gone by, I have visited numerous countries and learned a lot about life and world cultures, and I have made many friends at home and abroad.

At the moment, my principal occupation in the orchestra is as a community musician. The best part of this job is direct interaction with the audience, or should I say fellow humans. Working at hospitals and nursing homes and with children and disabled persons has added a new leaf to my musicianship. I continue to do well.