Support the Rhythmic Music Degree Program in Joensuu!!

The strength of the Finnish music scene, not just within the country but well known abroad, results from its network of such music courses around the country. Joensuu is not only in the heartland of Finnish runo-song tradition, it has an unusually active and creative live music scene, music of all kinds, springing largely from its student population.

Removing the Rhythmic Music degree programme, as planned by the PKAMK authorities even though the Finnish government approves of its continuation, will inevitably much diminish this musical activity, and probably remove Joensuu's rising reputation as a musical hotbed. Coupled with the closure of non-classical courses at other institutions around the country, it will tend to concentrate such music education and stimulation in Helsinki, and thus not reach out to the talents of the population spread across the regions of smaller population across Finland.

The Nordic countries are distinguished by their attention to keeping communities spread across their large land areas alive and active, and this has a great effect on their national ethos and quality of life. Closing down the programme at Joensuu is directly contrary to that.