With FiBO for over 30 years
8.5.2025
Laura Kajander has been involved in the activities of the Finnish Baroque Orchestra (FiBO) for almost the entire existence of the ensemble, in a wide variety of roles. As the orchestra marked its 35th anniversary at the end of last year, it feels like a fitting moment to pause and reflect on the journey so far. Blog written in the autumn 2024.
Growth Stories – Over 30 Years with FiBO
In this text, I share my relationship with FiBO, at times emphasizing the orchestra's perspective and at times reflecting on my personal journey.
Finnish Baroque Orchestra
The Finnish Baroque Orchestra (FiBO) turned 35 at the end of 2024. I have been involved in various roles for over 30 of those years. What comes to mind most at this point is the notion of growth stories, in all their many forms. From FiBO’s perspective, it's the story of an organization’s growth—from a lively child through its teenage years to a conscious and skilled young adult, now with a clear identity. It's also a story of financial growth, from a small but passionately driven association to a more stable organization employing several people on a permanent basis and many more on a project basis. And it's the story of both new and long-standing musician members growing within the community.
Alongside FiBO
Thirty years as part of this community is also an integral part of my own growth story. I've gained more lessons and experiences than I ever dared to imagine. Setting off with rather naive ideas, I’ve been led—or perhaps forced—to broaden my views on just about everything. The topics have included democratic models, human differences, the balance between common goals and personal interests, logic versus emotion, manifestations of selfishness and selflessness, the hardships and courage of freelance artists, the dynamics of power and responsibility, and communication as a tool, among others. Through it all, a deep love of the arts and a belief—despite everything—that people need art as part of a fulfilling and meaningful life, have been my guiding forces. What still motivates me most is the idea that what I do can have significance beyond myself.
Beneath all these reflections lies, of course, a profound love for music and the arts. Baroque music has a special place in my life, though I must admit that my dedication to developing activities around it is partly by chance. I could just as well be working with other musical genres. For instance, tango could offer space for creative artistic work, and music from the Romantic and late-Romantic periods touches me in its own way. And it’s not limited to music: I feel that any art form is its own language for expressing similar things. Writing, visual arts, video, and dance all draw me in just as much.
The Concrete Side of FiBO’s History
The orchestra's chronicle reveals all the tangible things that have happened over the years. I joined the organization in the early 1990s after returning to Finland from Austria, where I had studied and performed in baroque ensembles for over four years. At that time, baroque concerts were rare in Finland, but the dream was to create regular and professional activity around baroque music. At the end of this text, you’ll also find a summary of FiBO and its current identity, including its official vision statements.
Drive and Playfulness
I guess I’ve always been quite driven as a person. The idea of “from thought to action” was evident already in my childhood when we would invent all sorts of projects in the yard, from building snow castles to organizing yard Olympics, from theater projects to two-minute Super 8 film productions. These ideas mostly came to life with the intensity and joy of play, supported strongly by our parents and neighboring adults.
That spirit of playfulness and drive has remained with me. In my relationship with the orchestra, this was evident early on as I soon found myself copying sheet music or arranging schedules so I could “play” music—that is, enjoy the baroque music I love together with other enthusiasts. The fact that I am now the managing director is its own kind of growth story. My leap into production work was marked by open-mindedness and a lot of humility. I figured things would probably work out, even though I was well aware that, as a trained viola player, I knew almost nothing about production. Early on, I made a decision: whatever comes my way, I’ll wrestle with it until I understand. Common sense and persistence took me surprisingly far, although I later strengthened my skills by studying at the Institute for Cultural Concepts in Austria and attending courses at the Open University and Summer University in Helsinki. In 2024, I have now been a full-time employee at FiBO for over ten years. Happily, I’m no longer alone in the office. There are now four of us.
Embracing Diversity and Belief in Democracy
I also seem to be someone who enjoys diversity. This is coupled with a strong belief in democracy. Both are now strongly present in FiBO’s operations. I once naively believed that democratic models and diversity were self-evident. My own belief in authority is quite weak. I deeply appreciate the skills, intelligence, talents, and individuality of different people. Over time, I have come to understand the complexities of democracy, particularly in an arts organization. After questioning it, I can still answer affirmatively—aware of the challenges. Some key questions have included: How can power and responsibility stay in the same place? What is the relationship between knowledge, skill, and charisma? What structures enable polyphony without creating chaos? Whose voice is heard? What is the relationship between art and finance? How can artist personalities be their true selves yet still form a coherent whole?
FiBO has given me a wonderful framework for growing both as a person and as a musician, for which I am extremely happy and grateful. Music, wonderfully colorful and unique colleagues, and great partners have been my support throughout. Time will tell what new directions lie ahead in the coming years.
Laura Kajander
- September 2024
Previous roles at FiBO
Viola player
Assistant
Board member
Board secretary
Librarian
Orchestra committee member
Roadie
Section leader
Communications officer
Producer
Network project leader (AUF, NBS, etc.)
Audience engagement team member
Current roles
Managing Director, Member of the Artistic Leadership Team, Viola Player
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FiBO IN A NUTSHELL
Founded: 1989
Known until 2009 as: The Sixth Floor Orchestra
State-supported orchestra since 2006 (equivalent of 3 full-time positions; 11 in 2018; 15 in 2024)
Based in Helsinki, performs across Finland and Europe (record-breaking 14 concerts abroad in 2024)
Performs baroque, classical, early Romantic, and contemporary music
Cultural influencer and pioneer
Connected to both domestic and international networks
VALUES
High Quality: Both artists and administration are committed to excellence.
Meaningfulness: The early music FiBO performs enhances the meaningfulness and well-being of listeners and performers alike.
Intrinsic Value of Art: The value of performances is not defined solely by their immediate economic benefit. Art can, for example, spark dialogue.
Accessibility: FiBO offers experiences for diverse audiences in varied locations, both free and ticketed.
Together, Responsibly: FiBO embodies the spirit of being the musicians’ orchestra. Practices include openness, listening, and structures that support participation. Responsibilities and powers are clearly defined.
Equality and Sustainability: FiBO is committed to the principles of equality and sustainable development.
MISSION
The Finnish Baroque Orchestra takes a stand, challenges assumptions, and offers artistically high-quality experiences. Both existing and new fans get to enjoy concerts of early music that combine contemporary artistry with awareness of historical performance practices and instruments.
VISION
Brand: FiBO holds a strong position both in Finland and internationally. It is a high-quality, inventive, and distinctive operator. Finnish and Nordic characteristics are evident in its reliability, contemporary and open-minded artistic approach, and democratic working methods. Finland's generally high educational level is reflected in FiBO’s ability to assemble its high-quality ensemble largely from domestic players. FiBO is an attractive partner for a wide range of actors.
Structure: The orchestra’s structure enables shared artistic leadership and an open working culture. Its sensitivity to current times ensures that FiBO remains at the forefront.
Communications and Marketing: Like its artistic activities, FiBO’s communications are high-quality, creative, and distinctive. It uses international-level audiovisual materials from its performances. Marketing has a human-centered approach.
Funding: The funding base is inventive and diverse. Overall volume is on an upward trajectory over a multi-year perspective.
Musicians: The orchestra consists of skilled musicians at various stages of their careers, specializing in early music performance, whose playing and working culture are tightly bonded. Musicians take on various roles that make space for their special skills. FiBO is a desirable workplace thanks to its exciting artistic content, safe working atmosphere, and good compensation. It offers musicians significant work opportunities in orchestral, chamber music, audience engagement, and educational settings.