Espoo Parishes Award €26,000 in 2025 Music Grants for Innovative Spiritual Music Projects - Recipients Include Young Musicians Under 30

In 2025, grants are awarded for example to Väinö Pajukangas, a pianist in Upper Secondary education, for cooperation with Care Institutions. And also to Toni Näykki for multimedia project on the soundscapes of Espoo churches and their surroundings, as well as for Johanna Ojapelto for early childhood music education groups for children with special needs and their families.

Altogether twenty-eight applications were received, and 15 applicants were awarded a grant.

The music grant application criteria emphasized innovation and cooperation with networks, as well as multicultural and educational content. Music grants are primarily assigned for Espoo residents or actors consisting mainly of Espoo members. 

Spiritual music has a broad definition in connection with the music grants: in addition to traditional concert activities, it includes a diaconal and pedagogical emphasis. 

Grants also enable various concerts all around Espoo.

Grants for spiritual music projects 2025

Espoo parishes decided to award a total of EUR 26,000 in grants for spiritual music projects as follows:

• Anna Marte etc. EUR 1,000 for a love-themed concert in Karakappeli
• Anu (Hälvä) Sallinen: EUR 2,000 for a performance of Giuseppe Verdi's Messa di Requiem in the Espoo Cathedral
• Cantores Minores support association: EUR 3,000 for the training activities and the expenses of their Espoo choir members
• Collegium Musicae Antiqvae Helsingiense (CMAH) ry: EUR 1,000 to for organising two church concerts in Autumn 2025 and early Winter 2026
• Johanna Ojapelto: EUR 2,000 to establish an early childhood music education group to children with special needs in the Leppävaara area
• Hanna Haapamäki & baroque band Baccano: EUR 1,500 for two concerts (at a Chapel and a Care Home) in August and September 2025
• Isabella Shaw: EUR 2,500 for artistic work, rehearsals and performances of one spiritual concert programs (Ghosts and Phantasms). Conditional; venue and date to be agreed.
• Julia Tamminen: EUR 1,000 for "Peace and Music Across Borders", a concert in Leppävaara
• Jyrki Linjama: EUR 2,000 for organising a composition concert at Tapiola church
• Naiskuoro Kupliva ry: EUR 2,000 for Anne Frank: A Living Voice, a concert
• Natura Quartet: EUR 1,500 for organising three ‘Help Ukrainian Children’ concerts in cooperation with village associations
• Salonkiorkesteri Onnen Sävel ry: EUR 1,500 for 2–3 participatory spiritual music events in care homes
• Tapiola Chamber Choir: EUR 2,000 for a concert in Espoonlahti church
• Toni Näykki: EUR 2,000 for multimedia work about Espoo churches and their surroundings
• Väinö Pajukangas: EUR 1,000 for music project in six care homes in Espoo

The grant recipients are required to submit a report on the use of the grant by 30 June 2026 or before applying for any additional grants.