17th (2009)

THE SEVENTEENTH

International Stasys Šimkus choir competition was organized in the concert hall of Klaipėda University Arts Faculty 15^th – 18^th October 2009. Participants competed in four choir groups: 2 children choirs, 3 youth choirs, 2 female choirs, 5 mixed choirs and 3 vocal groups from Latvia, Lithuania, Russian Federation, Sweden. Artistic Director and Organizer of the Choir Competition, Chairman of the Council of Klaipėda Choir Association “Aukuras” assoc. prof. Algirdas Šumskis. Honourable professionals of choral singing were invited to the Jury. The Chairman of the Jury became International Federation for Choral Music, Choral Festival Network) president Gustav Adolf Rabus (Germany). 6 persons worked in the Jury: the chairman Gustav Adolf Rabus (Germany), members prof. Vytautas Miškinis (Lithuania), Hirvo Surva (Estonia), assoc. prof. Romans Vanags, (Latvia), Alfonsas Vildžiūnas (Lithuania), secretary Aurelija Žvinklytė (Lithuania).

The following choirs became the laureates: in mixed choirs group – Česlovas Sasnauskas‘ Choir of Vilkaviškis Diocese Christian Culture Centre, leader Mindaugas Radzevičius (Lithuania); in Equal voices choirs‘ group and in School choirs‘ group, the first prize was not awarded; in Children’s choirs‘ group the Children Choir of Klaipėda Vydūnas Secondary School, leader Arvydas Girdzijauskas (Lithuania); in vocal ensembles‘ group – the vocal ensemble “Voices”, leader Egidijus Kaveckas (Lithuania). They were awarded the first degree diplomas and monetary bounties of 300 Euros.

The GRAND AMBER prize and the 1 000 Euro bounty was awarded to The vocal ensemble “Voices”, leader Egidijus Kaveckas (Lithuania).

The MINOR AMBER prize and the 750 Euro bounty was awarded to the Children Choir of Klaipėda Vydūnas Secondary School, leader Arvydas Girdzijauskas (Lithuania).

The prize of the Lithuanian Association of Music Teachers for the most valuable programme was granted to the Academic choir “Podlipki”, Korolev city of Moscow region, Artistic Director Inna Jakovleva, (Russian Federation), the Special prize of the Department of Education of Klaipėd for the most valuable programme was granted to the The mixed vocal ensemble “A Cappella“, Molėtai, Artistic Director Violeta Zutkuvienė, (Lithuania).

The Special prize of Klaipėda S. Šimkus‘ Conservatoire for the best performance of S. Šimkus’ compositions was granted to the The mixed choir of Vilnius Jesuit Gymnasium, Artistic Director Leonidas Abaris, (Lithuania).

Special prize of the Center of Lithuanian Folk Culture for the best performance of a composition of a national composer of the country of the choir was granted to the The Children’s Choir of Vydūnas Secondary School, Klaipėda, Artistic Director Arvydas Girdzijauskas (Lithuania).

Special prize of the Union of Lithuanian Choirs for the Lithuanian modern music performance was granted to the vocal ensemble “Voices”, Vilnius, Artistic Director Egidijus Kaveckas (Lithuania).

Special prize of Klaipėda Choir Association “Aukuras” for the best performance of Juozas Naujalis‘composition “Tristis est anima mea” was granted to the Česlovas Sasnauskas‘ choir of Vilkaviškis Diocese Christian Cultural centre, Artistic Director Mindaugas Radzevičius (Lithuania).

Special prize of the Union of Lithuanian Choirs to the successful debut in the 17th International S. Šimkus‘ Choir Competition was granted to the Kaunas mixed choir “Saluto”, artistic director Ramutė Štreimikytė, Lithuania. 

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