The TaKaMus and HUIPPU on stage on Poloneesi Saturday

Samuelin Poloneesi in Savonlinna offers a celebration of folk music on Saturday evening 14 March at a concert in Savonlinnasali, featuring HUIPPU and The TaKaMus, a band made up of Savonlinna musicians.

The TaKaMus brings together 17 former TaKaMus members from four different decades who later became professional folk musicians. In the performances of the professionals returning to The TaKaMus you can hear the distinctive TaKaMus hooks and riffs in reki songs, schottisches, polskas and polkas. The pieces were arranged by the band's long-time leader Mikko Nikula. Mikko is also coming out of retirement for this The TaKaMus project. For the final pieces of the concert, more former and current TaKaMus members will join this core group.

TaKaMus, the folk music ensemble of the Savonlinna Art High School, was founded on the school's music programme in the mid-1980s on the students' initiative. The ensemble has remained a central part of the school's music programme to this day. A few visual arts students from the art high school have also taken part. In recent years the ensemble has been led by Sanna Pirttisalo and Sirkka Kosonen. At the art high school the ensemble consists mainly of second- and third-year music students. It is an important part of the music programme's varied ensemble teaching. The ensemble has had around 30 folk musicians and singers each year.

A large number of TaKaMus alumni have gone on to become professionals in folk music or another music genre. Just as significantly, those who went into other fields have also received teaching in and enthusiasm for folk music. TaKaMus folk musicians have been and can be heard in bands such as MeNaiset, Loituma, Hedningarna, Freija, Tsuumi Sound System, SibA Folk Big Band, Wind on Wind, Hurja Halla, Tuultenpesä, Perriin tyssit, Iloi(i)set tytöt, Vila, Järvi and others.

The TaKaMus at Samuelin Poloneesi 2026:

Lasse Ammann – saxophones
Venla-Vanamo Asikainen – double bass
Hanni Autere – violin, vocals
Mirjami Hanhisalo – flute, vocals
Eila Hartikainen – vocals
Nea-Maria Korpelainen – violin, vocals
Sirkka Kosonen – vocals
Leena Laitinen – vocals, recorder
Matti Laitinen – mandolin, vocals
Tellu Loikkanen – 2.5-row accordion
Jussi Nikula – guitar, percussion
Jesse Ojajärvi – drums, percussion
Joonas Ojajärvi – cittern
Juska Ojajärvi – accordion, vocals
Pihla Perämäki – violin
Pia Rask – vocals, harmonium
Teemu Takanen – saxophones

Pictured is the evening's other performer, folk music band HUIPPU:

Touko Kentala – violin
Viive Virtanen – 5-string violin, nyckelharpa
Sonja Kola – accordion, piano
Aapo Nieminen – guitar, mandolin, jaw harp
Juho Kola – drums, percussion
Petteri Wiander – bass, kantele

Top-class new folk music, bold and energetic! HUIPPU is a six-piece band that plays with tremendous drive and youthful energy. Their debut album “Haikankärki”, released in spring 2025, presents the band's distinctive sound. Fresh compositions, a tight groove and the players' seamless interplay make for an experience you have to hear!

HUIPPU's music is driving, danceable fusion. The band members draw on different folk music styles in their own compositions. Swinging violins, a bold accordion and a soulful bass weave together with an energetic guitar and drum groove.

This evening of two fine line-ups takes place on Saturday 14 March 2026 in Savonlinnasali (Kylpylaitoksentie 4), tickets: 25/15 € (concession groups and Pelimanni wristband). Secure your seat in advance by buying a ticket at Lippu.fi