Study tips

Academic calendar

17 teaching weeks in the autumn term, 18 teaching weeks in the spring term, making a total of 35 (with the exception of Mondays, when there are 18 teaching sessions in the autumn term and 17 in the spring term). See below for a detailed timetable and public holidays

Academic year 2025–2026

Autumn term 2025

Class timetables for Thursday 7 August 2025 (teaching begins on Monday 11 August):

4–5 pm at Keuruu Primary School
6–7 pm at Petäjävesi village school

Term weeks 11 August–15 December 2025

Autumn break: 13–19 October
Assessment/planning days: 16–18 December (no lessons)

Spring term 2026

Term weeks 7 January–22 May 2026

Winter holidays: 23 February–1 March
Easter holidays, 3–6 April
Holidays: 1 May and 14 May (no lessons)

Assessment/planning days: 19–20 May and 25–29 May (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 choir. 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 choir is to lea to sing in parts. The repertoire features a wide variety of popular music, including pieces chosen by the group itself. The choir meets on Mondays from 5.00 pm to 5.45 pm in the music classroom at Kivikoulu.

The music school’s bands play easy-to-lea 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 lea ing 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 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 jou ey.

Courses in the basics of music are included in the term fee for the music school’s own students. Exte al 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.

MUPE groups and textbooks for the 2025–2026 academic year

Keuruu:

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

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

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

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

General Music Theory (for those who have completed the entire Mupe 3 course)
Thursday 6.45–7.30 pm, Room 132, Kivi School, taught by Aa e 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

No teaching in the 2025–2026 academic year

Petäjävesi

Basics of Music 1 (complete beginners, from around 10 years old) taught by Aa e Miettinen.
Wednesdays from 13 August, 2.30–3.30 pm, Kirkonkylä School, classroom 177 Basics
of Music 2 (for those who studied at Level 1 last year) taught by Aa e Miettinen
Wednesdays from 13 August, 3.30–4.15 pm, 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: Musical Adventure 1+

Basics of Music 2:
Kalevi Hampinen: Music Through Singing and Writing 2

Music Fundamentals 3A and 3B:
Kalevi Hampinen: Music Through Singing and Writing 3

General music theory:
No specific textbook; music theory books and the inte et are used. Basic Skills

for Musicians 1, Theory:
Joutsenvirta & Perkiömäki: Music Theory 1

Basic Skills for Musicians 2, Aural Training:
Kalevi Hampinen: Music Through Singing and Writing 4: Aural Training 1

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