Study tips

Academic calendar

17 teaching weeks in the autumn term, 18 teaching weeks in the spring term, making a total of 35. See below for a detailed timetable and public holidays

Academic year 2026–2027

Autumn term 2026

Scheduling of the lessons will take place on Wednesday the 12th of August 2026 (teaching begins on Thursday the 13th of August):

at 4–5 pm at Keuruu Primary School, Kivi school
at 6–7 pm at Petäjävesi Primary School, Kirkonkylä school

Term weeks 13 August–16 December 2026

Autumn break: 12–18 October
Level assessment / planning days: 17–18 December (no lessons)

Spring term 2027

Term weeks 7 January–24 May 2027

Winter holidays: 1–7 March
Easter holidays, 26–29 March
Holiday: 6 May (no lessons)

Level assessment / planning days: 25 May–2 June (no lessons)

Orchestras and ensembles

The music school is home to the string players’ own Jousivoimaa Orchestra (rehearsals on Thursdays from 5.30 pm to 6.30 pm in the canteen at Kivi School). More advanced string players take part in the Keurusseutu Regional Orchestra, which operates at the adult education centre (rehearsals on Mondays from 6.00 pm to 7.30 pm, in the new hall at Kivi School).

There is a wind orchestra for wind instrument players, as well as smaller ensembles. The wind orchestra rehearses on Fridays from 5.45 pm to 6.45 pm in the music classroom at Kivi School.

Both vocal students and anyone else interested in singing are welcome to join the vocal ensemble. Anyone interested in singing is welcome to join, meaning the group is also open to instrumental students at the music school. The aim of the vocal ensemble is to learn to sing in parts. The repertoire features a wide variety of popular music, including pieces chosen by the group itself. The ensamble meets on Mondays from 5.00 pm to 5.45 pm in the music classroom at Kivi school.

The music school’s bands play easy-to-learn pop and rock songs tailored to the musicians’ skill levels. Bands are formed with the musicians’ skill levels in mind, so it doesn’t matter whether you’ve just started lerning an instrument or are already more advanced. Playing in a band is part of the music studies programme and is primarily intended for band instruments (vocals, guitar, bass, drums, keyboards), but other instruments such as wind and string instruments can also take part in the lessons. You can also join the bands playing a secondary instrument. The band rehearses on Mondays from 6.00 pm to 7.00 pm in the music classroom at the Keuruu Co-Educational School.

The Basics of Music

The basics of music, or ‘mupe’, is a subject taught to all pupils, designed to support their own musical expression as well as their musical perception and experience. The content areas of the mupe courses include musical literacy, musical perception, and knowledge of music history and styles.

The courses use a variety of teaching methods to develop, for example, an understanding of the melody, rhythm and harmony of music, the ability to read and write music, and a personal, creative and holistic relationship with music. A practical and activity-based approach supports the connection to instrumental study as well as the student’s own musical skills and knowledge. Familiarisation with the basic elements of music in a positive atmosphere provides useful skills for the student’s future musical journey.

Courses in the basics of music are included in the term fee for the music school’s own students. External students are charged a fee for these courses.

Fundamentals of Music 3 is spread over two academic years: 3A (theory) is taken in the first year, and 3B (ear training) in the second. Please discuss with your teacher if you wish to take both modules in the same academic year.

The Basics of Music groups and textbooks for the 2026–2027 academic year

Keuruu:

Basics of Music 1 (complete beginners, from around 10 years old)
Tuesday 3.30–4.30 pm, Kivi School, Room 259, teacher Sanna Sällinen

Basics of Music 2 (for those who studied Level 1 last year)
Tuesday 4.30–5.45 pm, Kivi School, Room 259, teacher Sanna Sällinen

Basics of Music 3A (for those who studied at Level 2 last year)
Tuesday 6.00–6.45 pm, Kivi School, Room 259, teacher Sanna Sällinen

Basics of Music 3B (for those who studied at Level 3A last year)
Tuesdays 6.45–7.30 pm, Kivi School, Room 259, teacher Sanna Sällinen

General Music Theory (for those who have completed the entire Basics of Music 3 course)
Thursday 6.45–7.30 pm, Kivi School, Room 132, teacher Aarne Miettinen

Pupils at Keuruu Co-educational Upper Secondary School may use this as a substitute for the upper secondary school music history course. To obtain credit for this, pupils must submit a record of their achievement from their music school study record or basic-level certificate to the upper secondary school. Otherwise, a transcript of records can be obtained from the school office. PLEASE NOTE! The upper secondary school music history course does not replace the music school course.

If you have completed the ‘Basics of Music’ course at summer camp, please send a certificate of completion to the music school office as soon as the autumn term begins so that the course can be recorded as a substitute in your academic record.

Advanced studies

To be confirmed later for the the 2026–2027 academic year.

Petäjävesi

Basics of Music 2 (for those who studied at Level 1 last year), teacher Aarne Miettinen.
Time will be confirmed later, lessons on Wednesdays at Kirkonkylä School, room 177.

Information about the textbooks used in lessons:

PLEASE NOTE: Students must purchase their own textbooks; these will be used from the very start of the course!

Basics of Music 1:
Susanna Ertolahti-Mertanen: Musiikkiseikkailu 1+

Basics of Music 2:
Kalevi Hampinen: Musiikkia laulaen ja kirjoittaen 2

Music Fundamentals 3A and 3B:
Kalevi Hampinen: Musiikkia laulaen ja kirjoittaen 3

General music theory:
No specific textbook; music theory books and the internet are used.

Basic Skills for Musicians 1, Theory:
Joutsenvirta & Perkiömäki: Musiikinteoria 1

Basic Skills for Musicians 2, Ear Training:
Kalevi Hampinen: Musiikkia laulaen ja kirjoittaen 4: Säveltapailu 1

This content has been translated using AI