Venno Laul

(11. September 1938 – 14. October 2018)

Choir Conductor, Conductor, Educator – A Life Devoted to Music Education.

Venno Laul dedicated his life to music and education. He also contributed to putting Estonia on the world map as the director of the Estonia Piano Factory.

Venno Laul began his musical studies at the Tartu Music School under Voldemar Kliimand, graduating in 1956. He continued his studies at the Tallinn State Conservatory, graduating in 1961, and completed an assistantship at the Leningrad Conservatory from 1968 to 1971.

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Venno Laul worked as a music teacher at Tallinn Secondary School No. 22 from 1960 to 1966 and then as a choirmaster at Estonia Theatre from 1966 to 1972. In 1972, he began teaching choral conducting at the Tallinn State Conservatory. From 1987, he held the title of professor; he served as dean from 1974 to 1981, vice-rector from 1981 to 1982, and rector from 1982 to 1992.

He also led the RAM Choir Studio as director and conductor and founded the Estonian Boys’ Choir in 1971, serving as its artistic director and chief conductor until 1990. Estonia’s first boys’ and young men’s choir performed successfully both domestically and internationally.

Venno Laul was chairman of the Estonian Choral Association from 1986 to 1996 and was active in the international choral scene, serving on the juries of numerous choir competitions. He also directed the Estonia Piano Factory from 2005 to 2018. In 2001, President Lennart Meri awarded him the Order of the White Star, II Class.

An episode of “Tähelaev” featuring Venno Laul Areng (2008) is available in the Estonian Public Broadcasting (ERR) archive.

The texts have been compiled using materials from Estonian Public Broadcasting (ERR) and the Estonian Music Information Centre (EMIC).