THE LEONARDO DA VINCI PROGRAMME

PARTICIPANTS' MEMORIES

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          “The beginning of March 2006 will always remind us of our visit to Finland. Three of us – Ms. Renata Dawidziuk, Dominika Paszkowska and Piotr Mróz – went for a long journey to Kokkola (ca 500 km north of Helsinki). The trip was sponsored by the Leonardo da Vinci program run by the EU. Two airplane flights, a couple of hours in a super fast pendolino train and we were there. Rector Heikki Aho with a group of professors and students were awaiting us in the Conservatory. After a kind welcome and a strong, life-saving coffee (our trip was quite long) we were given the schedule for the whole stay.

          The first week consisted primarily of individual lessons with our teachers as well as attending numerous concerts. The number of musical events that took place there was extraordinary for such a small town. We listened to some students’ performances, couple of folk music recitals and an excellent chamber music concert performed by Ostrobothnian Chamber Orchestra, who, most likely, will visit Warsaw in May – we strongly RECOMMEND them!! Our hosts arranged an excursion to the Arctic Museum in Pietrarsari. It’s also worth mentioning that everyday we spent a number of hours practicing in the perfectly equipped Conservatory, bearing in mind our solo concert, which was to take place in the near future. We also had some free time, which we spent shopping, in the swimming pool, in the sauna, sight-seeing and on the “net” in the computer lab.

          The second week we were busy with very intensive preparations for two symphonic concerts. Every day we spent 5 to 6 hours practicing. We were delighted with the perfect organization, incredible discipline, promptness and excellent cooperation, all of which we were very grateful for. We were very fond of that. Despite the fact that rehearsal sessions were exceedingly long, we did not feel fatigue; instead, we were satisfied with progress in preparing our tough repertoire. We had not wasted this time, since our performances were – in rector Heikki Aho’s opinion – excellent, both in Kokkola and Pietrarsari.

          The last week of our trip consisted mainly of some intensive preparations for a PROFESSIONAL solo concert. At that time all the three of us were engaged as Ms. Renata performed with us. The concert was very well received so we could once again feel that our efforts and work were appreciated. The rector gave us some small souvenirs as a reward and we were invited to the ending dinner. It was a very pleasurable evening. Although all planned courses and concerts were all over, we had two more free days. How can one be in Finland during the winter and not pay a visit to Santa Claus? After all, we’ve earned the right to some entertainment!!! So we headed north to Lapland – fairytale country of Santa Claus, dog sleds, reindeer, snow-cats and ice castles. Our trip was superb in spite of the fact that we had actually spent ALL the money saved for a rainy day. But it was worth it – the impressions were incomparable!!!

          Returning home from Rovaniemi, via Kokkola, Helsinki, Copenhagen and finally to Warsaw was a bit arduous, but we do not regret anything at all!!! It was a fantastic experience!!!

          We recall our trip with a smile on our faces. We feel really fortunate that we were selected and had the opportunity to see such a beautiful country, its culture, to stay with the benevolent and welcoming people and to experience something new, all of which we will use in our professional life.

          We hope our beloved school will give such an opportunity to our younger colleagues – let’s keep our fingers crossed. It’s really worth it.

          KIND REGARDS!!!
          Dominika Paszkowska
          Piotr Mróz
          Renata Dawidziuk”