History of the Music College

From Imatra music college to Virta college - A long legacy of culture and learning

Imatra music school is one of the oldest music schools in Finland. It was founded as part of the Ylä-Vuoks Region Amateur Orchestra Association in 1938. Our music school is approx. Fifth oldest among 200 music schools.  

ALKUTAIVAL: FROM AMATEUR ORCHESTRA TO MUSIC SCHOOL

From the beginning, the aim of the association was not only to maintain orchestra activities but also to promote music education. The war years delayed the start of teaching activities, but in 1945 an orchestra school was established, with Reino Kahra as its first director.

In the beginning, all functions were handled without fees. The costs of the training as well as the orchestra were managed with grants from Oy Vuoksenniska Ab, Imatran Voima Oy, Tornator Oy, the municipality of Ruokolahti and numerous businesses. It wasn't until a few years after the start of operations that Imatra's municipality and the state began to grant grants. At that point, education and the orchestra were separated in the budget so that both had their own accounting.

During the years 1945–1952, the orchestra school developed into a music college, and in 1952 the name was officially changed to Imatra Music College. The curriculum was adapted to meet the course requirements of the Sibelius Academy, which laid the foundation for high-level music education. After the war, it was difficult to start activities, but the fire of the spirit, the desire and frenzy to make music, the ability of the "music pioneers" to see far into the future and a certain kind of positive coolness were the qualities that made this all come true.

GROWTH AND CHALLENGES

In the 1950s, the number of pupils increased considerably, but there was a constant shortage of resources. The trade and the state granted grants to the college, but the sufficiency of the funds was always threatened. With the new premises, the operation expanded and the first students left to continue their studies at the Sibelius Academy.

In the 1960s, the influence of "hump music" (e.g. the Beatles) was seen as a challenge to the appreciation of classical music, but the community held on to traditions. The number of string instruments was alarmingly small, but the collaboration of the orchestra and the college with Lappeenranta brought a new kick to the music scene in the area. It wasn't until 1987 that the board decided to start teaching pop and jazz music at the music college level.

A TIME OF SEPARATION AND REHABILITATION

In the 1970s, the separation of the school and the orchestra became a topic of conversation, because the school's activities consumed the orchestra's funds. As the number of students grew and resources were limited, municipalization began to seem necessary. In the 1980s, it was decided to municipalize the Imatra College of Music, and at the same time, the development of teacher vacancies and the educational institution's format became central.

The operation of the music school became established over the decades and developed through different names and forms. Between 1952 and 1996, the name of the educational institution was, among other things, the Orchestra Society's Imatra Music School and from 1981 the Imatra City Music School. From 1996, the educational institution was known as the music institute of the Imatra region, and its number of students gradually increased to almost 500 students, which is a huge increase from about 60 students at the beginning. In the 90s, teaching was already offered in Rautjärvi and Parikkala in addition to Imatra.

MERGER WITH THE LABOR UNIVERSITY - VIRTA-OPISTO

In 2017, there was a new chapter in the story of the Imatra music school, when it merged with Työväenoopisto to form Virta-opisto. This new educational institution brought together music, art and liberal arts into a multidisciplinary learning environment. Sarianna Purtilo was elected as the principal of Virta school and also as the head of the culture and learning center.

Historically, the music school's journey has been full of growth and development. Its first teaching facilities were found at the Imatra joint school and later, among others, at the Imatrankoski national school. Today, the educational institution's operations are established in Kulttuuritalo Virta, where teaching is given in up-to-date facilities.

Today, Virta-opisto continues the long legacy of Imatra Music College and Työväenoopisto, combining tradition and modern teaching.