Ellerhein Choir Studio is a collective that is part of Estonia’s oldest and biggest fine arts and hobbies school – Tallinn Centre for Extracurricular Activities Kullo (founded in 1941). The studio was created by Heino Kaljuste in 1951. Currently the studio consists of a pre-school group Mummud, a young children’s choir, a children’s choir and a girls’ choir. Since 1970, Tiia-Ester Loitme started to work with the choir as second conductor and she was head conductor of the choir from 1989 to 2012. The choir was renamed Ellerhein in 1969, on the 100th anniversary of the Estonian Song Festivals. Apart from giving concerts, all singers receive training in vocal, solfeggio, and harmony classes. The choir uses the relative Kodaly system when learning new repertoire.
In June 2012, Ellerhein celebrated its 60th birthday with a grandiose concert in Estonia Concert Hall.
Since 2012, the position of head conductor is held by Ingrid Kõrvits. The choir’s repertoire consists of both classical and contemporary choral music by outstanding composers from all over the world.
Ellerhein has been successful in many international choral competitions: In 2012, the choir received the Second Prize Gold Level in the International Choral Competition ›Ave Verum‹ in Baden, Austria. In 2013 Ingrid Kõrvits received the prize for Best Conductor in the International Choral Competition ›Tallinn 2013‹ while the choir obtained second place in the youth choirs’ category. At the International Tallinn 2017 Choir Festival the choir won 1st prizes in the category of female choirs and folk music.
In the season of 2016/2017 the choir celebrated their 65th year of performing.