The Polytech Choir or PK (Polyteknikkojen Kuoro in Finnish) is an academic male chorus, established in 1900, that performs regularly in Finland and abroad. Through hard work and with a demanding repertoire, the Polytech Choir has reached a significant standing within the Finnish choral family. Activities of the choir include traditional spring and Christmas concerts, as well as performances with the leading Finnish symphony orchestras. Juha Kuivanen has been the artistic director of the choir since May 2004. During the past years, the Polytech Choir has performed on five foreign tours with the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra, the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra, the Philharmonia Orhcestra of London, and the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, and at its annual spring and Christmas concerts in Helsinki, Espoo and Halikko. At its concerts the Polytech Choir has commissioned and debuted nearly 40 works for male choir. In spite of long traditions, or perhaps rather thanks to them, choral music receives new and innovating forms in the Polytech Choir. Finnish composers have found in the Polytech Choir an inspired and lively instrument for their experiments. Contemporary music is a welcome, even vital, challenge for the Polytech Choir. The Choir wishes that their contemporary concerts offer many interesting experiences for the listeners. Performances with orchestras, quartet singing, music recording and both a traditional and a more entertaining repertoire of male choir music, at diverse events within the community of the Helsinki University of Technology, at companies, and at events of the choir itself, are all part of the various activities of the Choir. The Choir celebrated the most momentous occasion of its 100 years of activities - the centennial celebrations in 2004. Events celebrating the Centennial included an a cappella concert and a joint concert with the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra at the Finlandia Hall. Friends of student and sitsi music had their share of the fun when the Polytech Choir performed at the old Cable Factory in Helsinki. The grand finale of the celebrations was the anniversary in May.
