16December 2026
Pre-Christmas concert dance
Danceable light music in a festive pre-Christmas mood.
TapiolanViihdeorkesteri
Espoo · founded 1987
Swinging light music played by devoted amateurs. Dances, concerts and celebrations in Espoo for almost 40 years.
Upcoming concerts
Details and tickets closer to each date.
27April 2027
40th anniversary concert
With soloist Mikael Konttinen. Celebrating four decades of the orchestra.
Past concerts
Tapiolan Viihdeorkesteri goes across the Atlantic
17 April 2026Uusi Paviljonki, Kauniainen
Spring concert
11 April 2025Uusi Paviljonki, Kauniainen
Spring concert with Espoon Laulu
3 May 2024Uusi Paviljonki, Kauniainen
Concert in Tartu
20 May 2023Tartu, EstoniaVideo
Watch and listen
Recordings from the orchestra's concerts.
Tapiolan Viihdeorkesteri is a light-music orchestra of some 25 players based in Espoo. The orchestra is conducted by Miikka Taipale.
Tapiolan Viihdeorkesteri is made up of long-time amateur musicians united by a love of good music, of playing together, and of rehearsals that are genuinely worth showing up for.
Founded in 1987, the orchestra has grown over the years into a versatile ensemble of nearly 30 players. Our repertoire moves easily from swing to jazz, from Finnish iskelmä to tango, from musicals to rock and Latin rhythms, whatever the occasion calls for.
We perform at concerts, dances and all kinds of events. Our aim is simple: to play so that we have fun, and more importantly, so that the audience does too.
Since the 2000s the orchestra has been led by young conductors from the Sibelius Academy. Today it is conducted by Miikka Taipale, whose direction brings both precision and energy to the music.
Conductor
Miikka Taipale
Conductor and pianist Miikka Taipale has appeared as a soloist with numerous Finnish orchestras and at festivals both in Europe and beyond. As a musician he is known above all for his Bach interpretations and his gift for improvisation. He refuses to be bound by genre, throwing himself with the same fire into whatever music comes his way. Taipale completed his piano diploma at the Sibelius Academy under Liisa Pohjola, and began his conducting studies in 2019 under Jorma Panula.
History
From a bomb shelter to the stage
The first rehearsal took place inside the bedrock, in the Tuulimäki civil defence shelter, in 1987. Twelve players and a name, Maanalaiset (“The Underground Ones”). That is how it started.
Timeline
1987
The City of Espoo cultural board founds a light-music group for adult amateurs. Twelve players turn up to the first rehearsal in the Tuulimäki shelter, and the band is named Maanalaiset (“The Underground”).
1988
Yrjö Hjelt takes over as conductor; the orchestra performs at the Kuopio Dance Festival among others.
1998
Teppo Alestalo begins conducting Maanalaiset.
1999
The orchestra takes its current name, Tapiolan Viihdeorkesteri, TVO for short.
2000–
Led by young Sibelius Academy conductors, including Sami Hannula, Juuso Wallin and Erle Kont.
Now
Conductor of the orchestra is Miikka Taipale.
2027
The orchestra turns 40. Anniversary concert in April.
The full story
The City of Espoo cultural board set up the ensemble for adult amateur musicians. Twelve players turned up for the first rehearsal in the Tuulimäki civil defence shelter: three accordions, three clarinets, two saxophones, two flutes, a guitar and a violin. Anna-Maija Joensuu conducted, and the orchestra was first known as Maanalaiset (“The Underground Ones”).
Under conductor Yrjö Hjelt (1988–1995) the orchestra performed at Kuopio Dance Festival, the Jazzlinnoitus festival in Hamina, the Imatra Big Band Festival and many other events. Its own concert was held in 1990 at the Louhi Hall of the Espoo Cultural Centre.
Markus Fagerudd took over after Hjelt. His tenure saw the orchestra’s 10th anniversary celebrated in Otaniemi, with 23 players in the ensemble. Arrangements were written by Yrjö Hjelt, Roger Freundlich, Kati Kujala-Räty, and the orchestra appeared at April Jazz among other festivals.
In autumn 1998 Teppo Alestalo became conductor of Maanalaiset, and in 1999 the orchestra took its present name, Tapiolan Viihdeorkesteri, TVO for short.
The orchestra has played in a great many settings: hospitals, care homes, day-care centres, schools, company parties, school proms, the City of Espoo New Year celebrations, balls and Espoo Day.
Since the 2000s the orchestra has had a succession of conductors, usually conducting students in the final stage of their studies at the Sibelius Academy: Sami Hannula, Jarkko Aaltonen, Aino Koskela, Okko Kivikataja, Juuso Wallin, Hanna Lehtonen, Risto Sojakka, Sauli Saarinen and Erle Kont. Miikka Taipale has conducted the orchestra since autumn 2025.
Book the orchestra
Book us to play at your celebration
A full light-music orchestra brings an atmosphere no playlist can. Live music to dance to and to listen to.
Request a quoteWe tailor the programme to your occasion: waltz, tango, foxtrot, jazz, Finnish classics and film music. We perform as a full orchestra or a smaller ensemble. Tell us the date, venue and your wishes, and we will send you a quote.
We play at
WeddingsFrom the ceremony to the last dance
Corporate eventsChristmas parties, anniversaries, client events
Dances & ballsSchool balls, afternoon dances, galas
Restaurants & eventsRestaurant nights, openings, city events
Do you play? Join us
We are especially looking for violinists. We rehearse weekly in Espoo. Email us your instrument and background.