Cantores Minores The Choir of Boys and Young Men of Helsinki Cathedral Cantores Minores (est. in 1952) is the largest and most professional boys choir and choir school in Finland offering boys and young men both musical and spiritual education around the Helsinki region. Cantores Minores is especially famous for its performances of large church music pieces by J.S. Bach, G.F. Händel and Mendelssohn and a strong inspiration and example for the choir has during its 70 years of existence been the 1000 year-long protestant boys choir tradition in Germany. Cantores Minores performs regularly at international choir and music festivals in addition to the yearly seasonal concerts in Finland. On its 66 international tours the choir has travelled to Japan, The United States, Russia as well as 22 European countries. Cantores Minores has been granted significant awards for its work in education – both musical and over all education –of children and young people: in 2014 Cantores Minores received the State Prize for Music and in February 2015 the choir was granted the Educator of the Year Prize. This year the choir performs the St. Matthew Passion, Mass in B Minor and Christmas Oratorio by J.S. Bach and Requiem by Domenico Cimarosa. The present conductor Mr. Hannu Norjanen (D.Mus.) began as the choir's Artistic Director in January 2005. The President of the Republic of Finland Mr. Sauli Niinistö and Mrs. Jenni Haukio are permanent Patrons of all the choir’s activities both in Finland and abroad.