From A Cappella Arrangements to Software Compilers with Elora Burns

Countermeasure, a Canadian a cappella band that’s performing at Estonian Music Week in Toronto on May 24th, is keen on defying genre, breaking down the sounds of instruments, and plenty of collaboration, which has resulted in some literally breathtaking music!

In this episode of EstoCast, Elora Burns, a member of this 12-piece group, shares:

🎤 the Estonian linguistic experience that played a role in making choral music a huge part of her life

🎤 their upcoming tour in Japan to promote their new album

🎤 the dopamine rush of coding and being gifted software compilers as a kid

🎤 and much more!

Things mentioned in this episode include:

-Countermeasure on Instagram (including info on their BC tour and upcoming album): https://www.instagram.com/countermeasuremusic/?hl=en

- “Takin’ It Home”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OZre5Tu7M14 

-Evelyn Glennie: https://www.evelyn.co.uk/

-Sing! the Toronto International Vocal Arts Festival: https://singtoronto.com/ 

-Estonian Foundation of Canada: https://www.estonianfoundation.ca/ 

- Itzhak Perlman: https://muppet.fandom.com/wiki/Itzhak_Perlman 

-The 26th Estonian Song Celebration (XXVI laulupidu) 06.07.2014: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ox72IFFxF4 

-the Korora choir family: https://kororachoirs.ca/ 

-Chris Poole explaining some of the tech used by Countermeasure: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PP8EQFJ8BDE 

-"Someone" (featuring Rich Brown): https://open.spotify.com/track/0Yyv6XZRI8pTYszG8ztf18

-"Aubade" featuring Pamelia Stickney on theremin: https://open.spotify.com/track/3QZlGuaKSaqAdsinuLEnGk 

-The Spider-Man theme song, performed by Countermeasure and Ron Sexsmith: https://open.spotify.com/track/3FDTWrQxv7NAc3YQ1YRuTx 

-cellist Kevin Fox: https://aaronjensen.ca/project/kevin-fox/ 

-more about the popularity of CDs in Japan: https://hifiauditions.wordpress.com/2025/01/18/cds-are-still-popular-in-japan/#:~:text=Despite%20the%20growth%20of%20streaming,made%20up%20only%20about%2020%25.

-Estonian Voices: https://2025.estonianmusicweek.ca/estonian-voices 

-find out more about and get tickets for Estonian Music Week this year!: https://2025.estonianmusicweek.ca/ 

Socials:

➡️ @estonianmusicweek
https://www.facebook.com/EstonianMusicWeek

➡️ https://www.facebook.com/vemu.ca

➡️ @eestielu.ca
https://www.facebook.com/eestielu.ca/events

➡️ @vemu.emc
https://www.facebook.com/vemu.ca