Media EN | HELSINKI POLICE BAND

Helsinki Police Symphonic Band Since 1947

The Helsinki Police Symphonic Band is a professional ensemble consisting of 43 musicians. With over 70 years of performing experience, the band represents the Finnish Police through music at various national and international events. It is especially renowned for its versatility. In addition to wind compositions, the band’s repertoire includes folk music, jazz, rock, pop, and children’s music.

Founded in 1947, the Helsinki Police Band was established to promote dialogue between the police and the public — a mission that continues unbroken to this day. Over the years, the band has been conducted by several notable figures, including Georg Malmstén, Arthur Fuhrmann, Petri Juutilainen, and Esko Heikkinen. Since 2012, Sami Ruusuvuori has served as the band’s chief conductor.

Each year, the orchestra performs over one hundred educational concerts throughout Finland for children and youth!

Crime prevention has always played a central role in the band’s mission. Each year, the orchestra performs over one hundred educational concerts throughout Finland for children and youth of various ages. These concerts are scripted and tailored to specific age groups, addressing important themes such as traffic safety, bullying, social media, sexual autonomy, and substance abuse.

In 2020, the Finnish Wind Band Association awarded the Helsinki Police Symphonic Band the Wind Band of the Year award. Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, the band managed to introduce concert band music to entirely new audiences.

The band regularly tours Finland and collaborates with police departments across the country. It has also performed in several European countries, including Sweden, Russia, Estonia, Latvia, Poland, Germany, and France. The band has released numerous recordings and has had the honor of premiering works by Finnish composers such as Marzi Nyman, Timo Forsström, Pessi Levanto, Jukka Linkola, and Timo Alakotila.

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