Toomas Hendrik Ilves
I had just moved to Toronto, and did not know many people in the city. My family, who had always been my main supporters, pushed me to contact Ingrid Poom, the contact for Estonia Koor. Since I had not been part of the Estonian community for over 10 years and since I only understood conversational Estonian but could not speak it fluently, I was afraid of being turned away. Instead, they welcomed me as one of their own and made me feel like part of the Estonia Koor family. The practices were only on Thursdays from 7:00p.m.-9:30p.m. Not only did you have fun singing these traditional Estonian songs, the kohvik at Eesti Maja also provided delicious Estonian cuisine! With Estonia Koor, there are members in every age group meaning that no matter how shy you are, you will always find someone to talk to.
A few months into the practices we were privileged to have the opportunity to do a work shop with the 2014 Laulupidu Artistic Director, Hirvo Surva. I have never had so much fun working so hard. His way of conducting was an eye opener for everyone and, of course, our conductor, Ingrid Silm, took many notes. We never sounded so good.
After months of practices and memorizing 27 songs from the mixed choir, massed choir and the “select” choir repertoire, I finally made it to the song festival grounds where history had been made only 26 years ago during the Singing Revolution. The entire time I was on the stage, all I could think about was how proud I hoped my Vanaisa was of me.
It was entertaining to watch the 30,000 singers rush to get onto the stage where they would end up at the top. Not once during the entire festival was I worried about getting a good spot to watch the conductors. As long as I was near Ingrid Silm I knew that not only would I get an excellent spot, I would have my entire support team there with me. The second day of the festival I nearly did not make it onto the stage. The heat had hit me hard and I felt I was going to faint. The entire choir made sure I was okay. As I was walking away from the stage a thought hit me, I knew that if I did not join my choir up on that stage I would regret it for the rest of my life. I marched myself onto the stage. Instantly everyone turned to make sure I was at the edge of the platform so I could breathe and I was shocked when other choirs turned to my attention to make sure I would be okay. I have never felt so a part of something wonderful. It was in that moment I realized I wasn't just a part of Toronto's Estonia Koor, but of the entire country of Estonia's family. That entire concert there was not one moment where my eyes were dry.
As the concert was ending no one wanted to stop singing. The feeling of singing with so many proud Estonians is beyond unexplainable. It's a life changing feeling. As the announcer came on the microphone to tell everyone that it was time to go home, they played the beginning of Puudutus, which was the theme song created for the 2014 Laulupidu. Every singer began to sing as we slowly walked off the stage. By the time we finished the song the first time, I was just at the bottom of the stage. As we finished the song the second time, I was walking out of Lauluväljak for the very last time.
Joining Estonia Koor brought me from not knowing anyone to being a part of the greatest community in Toronto and then to the most amazing experience of my entire life. The memories I got to share with the incredible people in this group will stay with me forever. You don't realize how monumental it is to be a part of our history until you're standing on the stage with 30,000 other singers while being conducted by famous Estonian men and women who helped bring our country to freedom. People told me that being able to watch Laulupidu was incredible, but my view of 100,000 other Estonians holding hands in the air with complete strangers and the Estonian flag waving above them was a view that I will hold in my heart forever.
We sang when we were forced to be silent, we sang to become free, we sang to remain free and now we sing to show the world how proud we are to be Estonian and free. I will forever be grateful to Estonia Koor for welcoming me into their family and for letting me be a part of this amazing experience.
Estonia Koor welcomes new singers to join the choir. Rehearsals are Thursdays from 7 – 9:30 p.m. at the Estonian House, 958 Broadview Avenue and will begin on Thursday, September 4. For more information, please contact Riina Klaas at 416-444-5613 or klaas@pathcom.com.
Kaili Scott
