Aavo Ots

b. February 14, 1951, Vastseliina – June 10, 2023 Tallinn

Aavo Ots was one of Estonian leading brass music developers, trumpeters education improver, and arranger of several annual brass music events. As a valued trumpet teacher and brass band conductor, Ots also published tutorials for trumpet players. Aavo Ots worked at the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre and Tallinn Music High School. He was also the leader of the Aavo Ots Music Studio.

Aavo Ots studied trumpet at the Heino Eller Music School in Tartu (1967–1971) under the guidance of Kaupo Antzon and conducting with Roland Laasmäe. In 1976 Ots graduated from Tallinn State Conservatory, having studied conducting with Gustav Ernesaks and Olev Oja and trumpet with Tõnu Tarum. He continued his studies on trumpet at the Saint Peterburg State Conservatory under the guidance of Juri Bolšijanov graduating in 1986. Aavo Ots also developed his conducting skills through private lessons with Peeter Lilje and participated in masterclasses with Andreas Spörr (2005, Switzerland). In 1979 Aavo Ots won 1st prize at the Estonian Brass Players Contest.

Aavo Ots worked at the Estonian National Opera Symphony Orchestra (1975–1984), since 1979 as a soloist. From 1980–1987 he was also director of musicals and operettas in the Estonian National Opera. Since 1979 Aavo Ots was a teacher and methodologist at Tallinn Music High School, where he also conducted orchestra Brass Symphonics (Puhkpillisümfoonikud). Brass Symphonics won several prizes at international contests such as 1st prize in Sweden (1997), 2nd prize in Germany (2001), gold medal in Hungary (2002), and silver diploma at contest the "Mid Europe" in Austria (2005). In 2006 Brass Symphonics was awarded orchestra of the year by Estonian Choral Association.

Since 1984 Aavo Ots worked at the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre (since 1998 docent). He was also the conductor of the schools orchestra Brass Academy. Aavo Ots's students include Neeme Birk, Jüri Leiten, Andres Peterson, Priit Aimla, Ivar Tillemann, Erki Möller, Indrek Vau, Taavi Kuntu, Priit Sonn, Margus Allmann, Mart Kivi, Tanel Aavakivi, Viljar Lang, Jaak Oserov, Mihkel Metsala, Aleksei Saks, Marti Suvi, Simmu Vasar, Jaak Vasar, etc. With the purpose of developing the skills of young soloists and chamber musicians, Aavo Ots founded the self-titled Aavo Ots Music Studio.

Since 1996 Ots arranged Võru Brass Music Days (from 2002 artistic director) and summer academy. Since 1989 Ots was the artistic director of International Trumpet Days held at the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre. Since 2003 Aavo Ots was a teacher and organizer of the Trumpet Summer Academy in Suure-Jaani. Aavo Ots conducted several brass orchestras such as orchestra Tallinn and Estonian Defence Forces Orchestra. Since 2008 Aavo Ots was the conductor of the Estonian Youth Brass Band. Ots also conducted brass orchestras at XXIV and XXV Estonian Song Celebration and was the principal conductor of brass bands at XV "Gaudeamus" in 2006.

Ots also recorded several Estonian Composers works such as "Prelude and Fugue Rustico" for brass ensemble by Harri Ots (CD Brass-Academy, 1998), Hillar Kareva’s "Quasi ulna sonata" for trumpet and piano (Estonian Radio).

Equally remarkable is Aavo Ots's work as a publisher of brass tutorials. In 2011 he released "Õppides ja õpetades: kaunist orkestrikõla otsides", in 2010 "Tuulefanaasia: trompetiõpetaja käsiraamat", in 2000 "Trompetikool" (I-IV), and in 1987 "Metoodilised nõuanded ja igapäevased harjutused trompetimängijale".

Honours:
– Annual Prize of Estonian Cultural Endowment for Music (1997, 2010)
– Annual Prize of Estonian Cultural Endowment for Folk Art (2001, 2005, 2007)
– Riho Päts School Music Scholarship (2004)
– Conductor of the Year by the Estonian Choral Associations (2004, 2006, 2009, 2022)

Look also: http://www.musicstudio.ee/


© EMIC 2013
(updated in February 2022)

The texts on the EMIC's homepage are protected by the copyright law. They can be used for non-commercial purposes referring to the author (when specified) and source (Estonian Music Information Centre).