Tormis' Regilaul Workshop is a choir rehearsal-singing evening led by Celia Roose, where participants sing ancient runo songs that Tormis gathered from the ancestral song heritage. In addition, Ants Johanson shared remarkable moments and intriguing stories from the composer’s life.

This time, the workshop was held with the Pärnu Chamber Choir in the auditorium of Rääma Elementary School. The program featured songs from the cycle "Thirteen Estonian Lyric Folk Songs" (1972), including "Singers Wanted" (Setu), "Songs Learned at Weddings" (Kuusalu), "Servant's Pay" (Kodavere), "Masters' Scolding" (Urvaste), and "Rowan Tree" (Helme), the last of which closed the evening. They also performed “Waking the Birds” from the cycle “Seven Livonian Folk Songs” (1972), and “Röntüška” and “Tšastuška” from "Evenings in Ingria" (1979).

The conductor of the Pärnu Chamber Choir, Elo Kesküla, noted, "The Singing Gathering is a refreshing, eye-opening experience for a typical choir. We are so bound to sheet music, wanting to see and control everything ourselves because it feels safe. In doing so, we trust our memory and ears too little!" As a conductor, she found it fascinating to observe the active, focused participation of the singers. The event also offered the choir new insights into Veljo Tormis and his life philosophy. Kesküla added, "Given the vast themes in Tormis’ choral work, one can always find pieces from his treasure trove suitable for any occasion to explore and sing with the choir. I’m a fan of Tormis. And when a conductor lights up with inspiration, they can ignite their singers too. Every season, one of his works inevitably finds its way into our repertoire.”

Singer, choir conductor, and traditional music teacher Celia Roose has led several Singing Gatherings, each attracting lively interest. Tormis’ songs have resonated in his birthplace of Kõrveaia, Kaikamägi, the Viljandi Folk Music Festival, Hiiu Folk, and the New York Estonian Cultural Days.

Supporter: Cultural Endowment of Estonia