professor Hannu Norjanen

(b. 1964), conductor, became the Artistic Director of Cantores Minores in January 2005. He received his early musical training in Cantores Minores boys' choir and in Espoo Music Institute (piano and organ). After matriculation examination he first studied at the Sibelius Academy church music department. After completing the church music studies he began studying in the orchestra conducting class. Norjanen completed his studies with three diplomas, all with distinction: organ, choral conducting and orchestral conducting. His professors in conducting class included Jorma Panula, Eri Klas, Leif Segerstam and Atso Almila. Norjanen had a scholarship in the academic year 1990-91 to study choral conducting in Stockholm in the Royal Music Academy under Prof. Eric Ericson. In October 2015 he completed a D. Mus. degree at the Sibelius Academy.  Norjanen also teaches conducting there.
 
Norjanen worked as Artistic Director of the Lappeenranta City Orchestra in 1998-2001 and Vaasa City Orchestra in 1999-2006. He has appeared as a guest conductor in most of the Finnish professional orchestras. He has also worked at the Finnish National Opera conducting operas such as La Boheme, Falstaff, La Traviata, Othello and Tosca among others. 
 
As a choir conductor Hannu Norjanen started already in his early student days. He has conducted several mixed chamber choirs and male choirs. He has also worked with a children's choir and a youth choir. Norjanen has been Artistic Director of Tapiola Chamber Choir since 1998. With them he has recorded all a cappella works for mixed choir and female choir by Toivo Kuula and Jean Sibelius. CD`s containing Jaakko Mäntyjärvi’s music have received several prices. With the male choir Amici Cantus Norjanen has recorded all a cappella works for male choir by Einojuhani Rautavaara. Norjanen has guest conducted the Finnish Radio Chamber choir several times in concerts and recordings.