Let’s play music!

Application period for 2025-26

EMO’s instrument and vocal studies are applied for once a year in the spring through student selections.
EMO instrument and singing studies 24.4.–14.5. Student selections 21.–22.5 ja 26.–27.5.
Pop/jazz department Ebeli 1.4.–11.5. Student selections 19.5.–22.5. ebeli.fi
Music play school, from 24.4. from 1 pm, in order of registration.
Rhythmics, from 24.4.
Registration for the entrance test for Tremolo rhythmics groups 24.4.–15.5.
Kameleonttikuorot (Chameleon choirs):
- - Hepulit (preschool-2nd graders): in order of registration
  - Sekamelska (3rd-5th graders): through singing test, which will be held on 28.5.
Registration instructions for Matinlahti School’s Aluetassu (stringed instruments) will be distributed to the school’s pupils in May and August
Application forms will open on 24.4.: emo.eepos.fi or emo.fi >> New students, Sign up.
The INSTRUMENT PATH on Tue 6.5. at 17-19 at Espoo Cultural Centre. Welcome to try instruments! Our nice teachers guide you in choosing an instrument.

Please notice that applicants from Espoo are given priority especially for the most popular instruments (for example piano, violin, guitar). However there is an exception if the applicant has previous studies in an instrument and a special criterion to apply to EMO. If there is vacant study places in other instruments, they can be granted also to non-Espoo-resident.

Applying for instrument and singing studies

Option 1: Applying through student selections

New students for instrument and singing studies will be admitted to vacant places based on student selections.
Registration and appointment for student selections is open 24.4.–14.5. emo.eepos.fi or emo.fi.
The student selections will be held on 21–22 May and 26–27 May at Espoo Cultural Centre.
There are places available for individual instrument teaching and Instrument Ladders (Soitintikkaat) coaching groups.
Through the student selections, you can apply for all instruments and singing. More information about the instrument selection can be found at the bottom of the page.
No previous playing experience is required
More information about the student selection process at the bottom of the page.
Applicants will also receive the appointment confirmation message with a link to an example video of the student selection event.
Pop/jazz department Ebeli’s application instructions: ebeli.fi

Option 2: Registering for the Instrument Ladders

The one-year-long Instrument Ladders (Soitintikkaat) coaching group admits students to vacant places in the order of registration 24.4.-14.4. emo.eepos.fi or emo.fi
There is a limited number of places, and they will be filled in the order of registration.
The selection of instruments on the Instrument Ladders varies from year to year.
The groups are intended for students who have no previous experience in the instrument of their choice.
This year’s selection of instruments includes low brass, trombone, woodwind coaching/recorder, bassoon, viola.
The groups are formed by age group.
More information about the Instrument Ladders can be found at the bottom of the page. More detailed information can be found on the Instrument Ladders page.

The wide range and quality of EMO’s curriculum offer a good start for individual study paths for all kinds of players.

General information on application process

Instrument selection

Which instrument interests you? It is worth considering this in peace before applying to instrumental studies. EMO offers all traditional western acoustic instruments. More information here.

Fascinating orchestral instruments

The most popular instruments are piano, guitar, violin and cello – there are always more applicants for these than there are free places. Good alternatives are, for example: wind instruments or double bass.

You can register as an applicant for several instruments that interest you. It is worth indicating an alternative instrument. If there are no places for your primary chosen instrument, you may be offered a place in another instrument.

How to prepare for the student selections

Think in advance which song you will sing to the teacher
If you have already played a musical instrument, you can prepare a song to perform
Show up at the exact time you have booked
Otherwise, it is enough to act on the instructions and example of the teacher

On the day of the student selection

Check your appointment time and class you have booked from the confirmation email you have received (FROM: Eepos mailing <postitus@eepos.fi, TITLE: Espoo Music Institute – Registration: First name Last name). There is an information desk in the lobby of the Espoo Cultural Centre where you can ask for the location of the class if you are unsure where to go.

What happens at the student selection?

In the student selection, the applicant performs various assignments according to the teacher’s sample on the principle of mimicry: rhythms are repeated with rhythms, short melodies are sung according to the teacher’s sample, stomping and clapping, listening to sounds from the piano – are they different or similar? The applicant will also be asked to sing a song of their choice. The song can be e.g. Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star. If the applicant already has experience in playing an instrument, it is worth giving a sample of the playing. A play sample is not a prerequisite for obtaining a student place. It is an advantage for the successful interaction of the applicant and the teacher that the guardian waits outside the class. We recommend discussing this in advance with the child.

Student selection results

The results will be sent to each applicant by email on 10 June. Those who have received a student place must confirm their student place via the link mentioned in the email on 12 June at the latest . An unconfirmed student place will be offered to the next applicant in the queue.

Approximately 100 student places are freed annually for EMO’s basic studies (individual teaching) for various musical instruments. In addition, there are about 100 places available for one-year instrument coaching groups. Also, individual places may become vacant in early autumn and at the turn of the year.

General information on music studies

Preparatory Group Music Lessons: Instrument Ladders

Instrument Ladders preparatory groups will familiarise students with the basics of playing and practising at home, ensure the suitability of the instrument, and build up a general understanding of playing a musical instrument. After a year of training, you can apply for basic studies with the same instrument without an entrance test.

The Music Institute’s Basic Studies

EMO provides basic arts education in the extensive study field of music. The studies include individual and group lessons, playing music in a group, and music perception studies. Some years this means several visits to the institute a week. You can only learn to play by playing, so it’s important to find time for regular practice at home. Encouragement and support from home is important, especially in the early stages of playing a musical instrument.

To make it easier to choose an instrument: here you will find sound samples of the instruments.

Other ways to join EMO

Admission by order of arrival: first come, first served:

Music Play School 0-6 yr

Enrollment of new students from here.

Rhythmic Training 5 yr – adults

Enrollment of new students from here.

Aluetassu – training (strings) for the students of Matinlahti school

enrollment at the school

Admission through auditions (groups):

Kameleontti Choirs

Information on the auditions: veera.voima@emo.fi

EMO Ensemble

Information on the auditions: puheenjohtaja@emoensemble.com

Applying to EMO