Matti Hyökki

Chorus master

Matti Hyökki is one of the best-known chorus masters in Finland. A lecturer in choral conducting at the Sibelius Academy since 1982 and professor since 2007, he has long been a major influence on the Finnish choral scene. With a distinguished history as the conductor of many of Finland’s leading choirs behind him (the Academic Choral Society 1987-90, the Finnish National Opera Choir 1992-95, the Klemetti Institute Chamber Choir 1992-94, the Laulu-Miehet male choir since 1998 and the YL Male Voice Choir since 1980), he began as Artistic Director of the Savonlinna Opera Festival Choir in autumn 2008.

Hyökki has conducted over 100 world and Finnish premieres and more than 40 choral discs. His conducting engagements have taken him to the Danish and Netherlands Radio Choirs, the Estonian National Male Choir (RAM), the Orphei Drängar (OD) male choir in Sweden, the University of Minnesota Choir, and performances with the Kokkola Orchestra, the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra, the Finnish National Opera Orchestra, the Sibelius Academy Symphony Orchestra, the Tapiola Sinfonietta and many others. As a holder of workshops and masterclasses and a conductor at choir festivals he has been invited to all the Nordic countries, Estonia, Central Europe, Mexico, the USA, China and Japan.