About one half of Vesikkala’s artistic activity consists of singing as a baritone and vocal improviser, promoting contemporary choral music in Finland and elsewhere, as well as on recordings.
Work positions as a choral singer
⯁ Helsinki Chamber Choir (2014 – present; Nils Schweckendiek)
⯁ Vocal Ensemble of the Sibelius Academy Conducting Class, Helsinki (2010 – 2021; Matti Hyökki & Nils Schweckendiek)
⯁ Olaus Petri-kören, Helsinki (2013 – 2020)
⯁ Oper Graz, Extrachor (2012-2013, cond. Bernhard Schneider & Dirk Kaplan)
⯁ Vocalforum Graz (2012-2013; Franz M. Herzog)
⯁ Studiochor der Kunstuniversität Graz (Johannes Prinz) (2012-2013)
Projects as a deputy singer
⯁ Chamber Choir Ireland, Dublin (2021)
Starting with a long singing career (1997–2012) in the world-renowned choral institution Cantores Minores in Helsinki under the baton of Christian Hauschild and Hannu Norjanen, and working as a principal for first bass, Vesikkala has since worked for particular projects for several choirs.
In Finland: Somnium Ensemble, Sibelius-Akatemian kuoro, Uusimaa-kuoro, Vox Cantorum, Ylioppilaskunnan laulajat, Cantores Minores-vokaaliyhtye, Kampin Laulu (in Helsinki) and Tapiolan kamarikuoro (Espoo), Järvenpään kamarikuoro (Järvenpää), Kuninkaantien muusikot (Turku), Psaltikon Ensemble (Joensuu), Esbo Kammarkör (Espoo).
In Austria: Chrysostomos-Chor St. Martin Graz, Pro Musica Graz and Studiochor der Kunstuniversität Graz.
Singing Studies
At Kunstuniversität Graz (2012 – 2013) with Gerd Kenda
In Helsinki with Heikki Orama (2010)
Accomplishments
• Recent major concerts as a choral singer in Tenso Days (2015, 2016, 2017), Viitasaari Time of Music (2015, 2016), and on the North American Tour (2016) among others
• Soloistic roles with Lapland Chamber Orchestra (2015), premiere of Leevi Räisänen’s work Ajassa (2019), recordings of Faure’s Requiem and Gregorian music, • Several premieres of new choral works on Finnish Festivals such as Viitasaari Time of Music (2015, 2016) and concert series such as Klang Helsinki. Other notable premieres include Antti Auvinen’s multimedial opera Autuus, awarded the Finnish Teosto Prize 2016.
• World premieres of new choral works by various composers:
Ilkka Aunu, Antti Auvinen, Miguel Bastos, Eugene Birman, Dirk Brossé, Markus Fagerudd, Matei Gheorghiu, Juhani Junkala, Sampo Haapamäki, Perttu Haapanen, Ilkka Hammo, Lillie Harris, Wim Henderickx, Patiparn Jaikampan, Harri Kerko, Olli Kortekangas, Pekka Kostiainen, Raphaël Languillat, George E. Lewis, Sarah Lianne Lewis, Tiina Myllärinen, Veli- Matti Puumala, Iiro Rantala, Matilda Seppälä, Diana Soh, Lauri Supponen, Harri Viitanen, Alejandro Viñao, etc.
• First recordings by various composers (Beat Furrer, Matthew Whittall, Eugene Birman, Erik Bergman, Perttu Haapanen, Antti Auvinen, etc.) to critical acclaim (The Guardian; Preis der deutschen Schallplattenkritik)