16th (2007) | www.aukuras.org

THE SIXTEENTH

International Stasys Šimkus choir competition was organized in the concert hall of Klaipėda University Arts Faculty on 18^th – 21^st of October, 2007. Participants competed in four choir groups: 2 children choirs, 6 youth choirs, 3 female choirs, 1 male choir, 10 mixed choirs and 2 vocal groups. Choirs from Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Poland, Belarus, Ghana, Ukraine, Hungary and Denmark sent applications of participation. Unfortunately not everybody managed to come. The Artistic Director and Organizer of the Choir Competition, Chairman of the Council of Klaipėda Choir Association “Aukuras” was assoc. prof. Algirdas Šumskis. Honourable professionals of choral singing were invited to the Jury. The Chairman of the Jury became The General Secretary of International Choral Music Federation Jean Claude Wilkens from Belgium. 6 persons worked in the Jury: the chairman Jean Claude Wilkens (Belgium), members prof. Vytautas Miškinis (Lithuania), Hirvo Surva (Estonia), Maris Sirmais (Latvia), assoc. prof. Robertas Varnas (Lithuania), secretary Aurelija Žvinklytė (Lithuania).

The following choirs became the laureates: in mixed choirs‘ group – Youth Choir of the Latvian Academy of Culture “Sõla”, leader Kaspars Adamsons (Latvia); in even voices‘ choirs‘ group – Youth Choir of the Latvian Academy of Culture “Sõla” (Females grup), leader Kaspars Adamsons (Latvia); in School choirs‘ group – The Girls Choir “Via Stella” from Vecumnieki, leader’s Liene Batna, Česlav Batna (Latvia); in children’s choirs‘ group, the first prize was not awarded; in vocal ensembles‘ group – Vocal group “Anima Sola” of Ogre Centre of Culture, leader Mảrite Pūrina (Latvia). They were awarded the first degree diplomas and monetary bounties of 300 Euros.

The GRAND AMBER prize and the 1 000 Euro bonty was awarded to the Vocal group “Anima Sola” of Ogre Centre of Culture, leader Mảrite Pūrina, (Latvia).

The MINOR AMBER prize and the 750 Euro bounty was awarded to the Girls‘ Choir “Via Stella” from Vecumnieki, leader’s Liene Batna, Česlav Batna (Latvia).

Special prize (founded by the Center of Lithuanian Folk Culture) was granted to the Vocal group “Anima Sola” of Ogre Centre of Culture, leader Mảrite Pūrina (Latvia), for the best performance of the work of composers of their country.

Special prize (founded by Lithuanian Music Teachers Association) was granted to the successful debut in the 16th International S. Šimkus‘ Choir Competition in D category – the children‘s choir of Kretinga’s Art’s School named “Saulainė”, leaders Violeta Andriuškevičienė, Eugenija Karkienė (Lithuania).

Special prize (founded by the Department of Education of Klaipėda) was granted to the Girls Choir of Vilnius choir singing school “Liepaitės” leader Jolita Vaitkevičienė (Lithuania), for the most valuable programme performed in the competition, in C category.

Special prize (founded by Klaipėda Choir Association “Aukuras”) was granted to the Youth Choir of the Latvian Academy of Culture “Sõla”, leader Kaspars Adamsons (Latvia), for the performance of composition J. Kačinskas “Terra tremuit”.

Special prize (founded by Union of Lithuanian Choirs) was granted to the Vocal group “Anima Sola” of Ogre Centre of Culture, leader Mảrite Pūrina (Latvia), for the most valuable programme in A, B and E categories.

Special prize (founded by Klaipėda S. Šimkus’ Conservatoire) was not awarded.

Special prize (founded by Union of Lithuanian Choirs) was granted to the Male Choir of Tallinn University, leader’s Juri Rent, Indrek Vijard (Estonia), for the performance of composition Veljo Tormis “Meremehe laul”.

Special prize (founded by Union of Lithuanian Choirs) was granted to the Youth Choir of the Latvian Academy of Culture “Sõla”, leader Kaspars Adamsons (Latvia), for the performance of composition J. Kecakmadze “Lašaris graze”.

Special prize (founded by Union of Lithuanian Choirs) was granted to the Mixed vocal ensemble “A Cappella” from Molėtai, leader Violeta Zutkuvienė (Lithuania), for the performance of composition V. Miškinis “Ta, kurios ilgiesi tu”.