HelMu in English

Helsingin Muusikot ry (The Helsinki Musicians Association), HelMU, is the second largest department of the Finnish Musicians Union. Our members include musicians from orchestras in the greater area of Helsinki, students of classical music, and freelance musicians who do not belong to the Freelance Musicians Association. Our department currently has about 850 members.

Part of the membership fees paid to the Finnish Musicians Union is directed towards HelMu, whose operations and funds are managed by a board consisting of musicians. In addition to association activities, the funds are used for grants, awards, scholarships and loans for musicians, as well as for recreational and other activities that promote the lives of musicians.

The composition of the board of HelMu is decided by the autumn meeting of the association. The decision on members of the Board at said meeting is published in the magazine of the Finnish Musicians Union, "Muusikko". The composition of the board of HelMu has traditionally been planned in such a way that the various orchestras and musicians comprising the members of HelMu are proportionally represented.

HelMu is currently chaired by the Finnish National Opera's clarinetist Patrik Stenström, the vice chair is the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra's viola player Ritva Kaukola and the secretary is the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra's violinist Tuomas Pulakka.