Markus Yli-Jokipii, conductor
Markus Yli-Jokipii is one of the leading young conductors in Finland. In March 2009 he graduated with excellent marks from the Degree programme in Orchestral and Choral Conducting at the Sibelius Academy. In autumn 2008 he graduated in musicology from University of Turku.
Yli-Jokipii has recently concentrated especially on conducting works for choir and orchestra. In 2007 he brought out two works that had been forgotten for decades, namely two large cantatas of the Finnish composer Leevi Madetoja (1887-1947), called Elämän päivät (The days of life) and Planeettain laulu (The song of the planets), both written for symphony orchestra and choir.
Among Yli-Jokipii's accomplishments in the last few years can also be mentioned, first, conducting a composition competition, arranged by the chamber choir Tritonuksen laulajat, for the Finnish Broadcasting company YLE, and second, leading the TYY Choir (The Student Union Choir of the Univeristy of Turku) to victory in the choir competition in Coleraine in Northern Ireland. Further, he has twice conducted the BBC Singers, the BBC’s professional choir, in workshops: first at Tampereen Sävel music festival in Finland and then in London, as an invited guest of the choir. In December 2010 Yli-Jokipii successfully conducted the Helsinki Chamber Choir on its tour in Japan.
Markus Yli-Jokipii has completed his studies in orchestral conducting at master classes for, among others, Jorma Panula, John Farrer and Helmut Rilling. He regularly conducts the professional baroque orchestra Musicians of the King’s road, Turku Conservatory Chamber Choir and Kampus Sinfonietta. He also teaches conducting at Turku Conservatory and at the Arts Academy at Turku University of Applied Sciences. In 2009 the city of Turku awarded Yli-Jokipii the Aboa Prize.