Pepe Willberg

Soloist

Pepe Willberg's musical career has been amazing. His success began in the 1960s with the band Islander and has continued uninterrupted for over 60 years as a guitarist, singer and songwriter. Willberg's songs from the 60s and 70s, such as Elämältä kaiken sain, Saat miehen kyyneliin, Taivas itkee sadoiin pisaroin, have become icons of Finnish pop music.

During his career, Willberg has composed music for himself as well as other artists and has been successful in various composition competitions. In recent years, he himself says that he has been "working below the surface", but the huge success of the album Pepe & Saimaa brought him back into the Finnish consciousness.

Willberg has received several awards in his career, the most recent being: Iskelmä Finlandia 2011, Kultalevy 2014, and three awards at the Emma Gala in 2015: Male Soloist of the Year, Rock Album of the Year and Critics' Choice. British music magazine MOJO chose Pepe & Saimaa as the album of the year 2014.

In 2016 Willberg celebrated his 50th anniversary as an artist and his 70th birthday.

Photo: Atte Malaska

Helsingin poliisisoittokunta / Helsinki Police Symphonic Band

Orchestra

Helsinki Police Symphonic Band is a professional symphonic band comprising 43 musicians. The band has been performing for over 70 years. It represents the Finnish Police through music in different events nationally and internationally and is especially known for its versatility. In addition to wind compositions, the band’s repertoire includes folk music, jazz, rock, pop and children’s music. 

The Band was founded in 1947 to promote relations between citizens and the police. Preventative work has been important for them throughout their existence. The full orchestra performs over 100 awareness-raising concerts aimed at children and teenagers every year all around Finland. The band seeks continually new Finnish music for it’s repertoire. Since 2012 Sami Ruusuvuori has been the chief conductor of the orchestra.

In 2020 the Finnish Wind Band Association granted the Wind Band Of The Year award to Helsinki Police Symphonic Band.

Sami Junnonen

Flute

Sami Junnonen enjoys a varied and successful career as an internationally acclaimed flutist. His virtuosity, musicality, and comfort within a wide and diverse repertoire have led him to collaborate with a remarkable array of celebrated artists, composers, and ensembles. His 2012 debut recital at the Helsinki Music Centre in his native Finland, and his 2018 solo debut with the Houston Symphony Orchestra in Texas, USA, received outstanding reviews.

In addition to his solo career, Junnonen has served as principal flutist in several renowned orchestras, including the Iceland Symphony, the Cairo Symphony, the Hong Kong Sinfonietta, the Auckland Philharmonia in New Zealand, and the Royal Northern Sinfonia in the UK. He has taught flute and chamber music performance at the University of Auckland in New Zealand and Fordham University in New York, USA, and has conducted masterclasses around the world.

​His recording of The Complete W.A. Mozart Flute Quartets with Chamber Domaine, released by Resonus Classics, won the Audience Award in the Finnish Album of the Year 2018, promoted by the Finnish Broadcasting Company (Yle). His 2024 release, Flute Concertos – Ibert, Jolivet & Rodrigo (Resonus Classics), was chosen as the Album of the Week by the Danish Broadcasting Corporation (DR). The Flute View, the leading American flute magazine, described the release as "a colossal album that will inspire for generations to come".

Photo: Esajuha Posti

Leijonapartio

Children's band

Leijonapartio is one of the children's bands of the Helsinki Police Symphonic Band, which visits primary schools and events aimed at children. During the performance, children can reminisce and reflect on, among other things, safety issues while listening to engaging music. Some of the songs are old favorites and some are brand new. The line-up includes clarinet, saxophone, bassoon, piano, guitar, bass and drums. All players also sing during the performance.

Leijonapartio will perform at the children's concert on Friday at Iitti Church on 13 June at 1 pm. The concert will also feature the Iitti Festival Orchestra, narrated by actor Tom Pöysti.