Published: 29 September 2017

95,33 points – the Winner of 2nd International Baltic Sea Choir Competition who got Jurmala City GRAND PRIX trophy and Latvijas valsts meži monetary prize of 3500 Eur: NEW DUBLIN VOICES (Ireland), conductor Bernie Sherlock

95,00 points – 2nd place and monetary prize of 2000 Eur: Girls Choir of the Koper Music school (Slovenia), conductor Maja Cilenšek

93,33 points - 3rd place and monetary prize of 1000 Eur: Härlanda Chamber Choir (Sweden), conductor David Molin

92,67 points – Emila Darzina mixed choir (Latvia), conductor Nora Vītiņa

92,53 points – Svanholm Singers (Sweden), conductor Sofia Sӧderberg

88,83 points – GREX MUSICUS (Finland), conductor Marjukka Riihimäki

88,33 points - Art Museum of Riga Bourse Male Choir (Latvia), conductors Kaspars Vēvers, Rūdolfs Bacāns

87,08 points – Mixed Choir CRESCENDO (Slovenia), conductor Žiga Kert

87,00 points - Tartu Student’s Choir (Estonia), conductor Küllike Joosing

85,67 points – VOX IUVENALIS (Czech Republic), conductor Jan Ocetek

83,17 points - Mixed Chamber Choir AUSTRUMS (Latvia), conductor Ārijs Šķepasts

78,50 points - Youth Capella HARMONY (Russia), conductor Irina Roganova

Special Awards:

• The award for the best interpretation of Compulsory piece of Ēriks Ešenvalds LUX AETERNA and a premium of 250 Eur presented by the biggest sheet music publisher in Latvia "Musica Baltica" - Girls Choir of the Koper Music school (Slovenia), conductor Maja Cilenšek
• The prize for the best conductor in the form of 500 Eur presented by Innocent Coffee – conductor Nora Vītiņa, Emils Darzins Mixed Choir (Latvia)
• The Audience Sympathy Prize, provided by LAIMA - Art Museum of Riga Bourse Male Choir (Latvia), conductors Kaspars Vēvers, Rūdolfs Bacāns

Published: 22 September 2017

Follow live broadcasting from the competition on September 23 and 24 here!

Published: 15 September 2017

We are happy to announce that ENTRANCE TO ALL COMPETITION EVENTS IS FREE OF CHARGE!

For the concert on 24.09. at 11.00 Grand Prix final closing concert an entry card has to be selected at the box office of "Biļešu Paradīze".  One person can receive no more than 2 entry cards.

For other events of the competition no enrty card is required:

• 22. 09.2017. at  20.00 - Competition Opening Concert at the Dubulti Church
• 23.09.2017. at 11.00 - Competition Compulsory Programme concert at Dzintari Concert Hall
• 23.09.2017. at17.00 - Competition Free Programme concert at Dzintari Concert Hall

Published: 31 May 2017

The following  12 choirs from 8 countries have been chosen for participation in the 2nd International Baltic Sea Competition which will take place on September 22-24 in Dzintari concert hall, Jurmala: mixed choir NEW DUBLIN VOICES (Ireland), mixed choir GREX MUSICUS (Finland), Girls' Choir of the KOPER Music School (Slovenia), mixed choir CRESCENDO (Slovenia), male choir SVANHOLM SINGERS (Sweden), mixed choir HARLANDA CHAMBER CHOIR (Sweden), mixed choir VOX IUVENALIS (Czech Republic), mixed choir HARMONY (Russia), TARTU STUDENTS’ MIXED CHOIR (Estonia), as well as three choirs from Latvia - mixed choir AUSTRUMS, EMĪLS DĀRZIŅŠ MIXED CHOIR and THE ART MUSEUM RIGA BOURSE MALE CHOIR.

"The first year of the competition was successful and strengthened the confidence that this kind of event has a huge potential. Our ambition is to become one of the main destination for the best amateur choirs in the region of the Baltic Sea, making participation in this competition a sign of prestige and quality for any choir, as well as carrying the name of Jurmala and Latvia out into the world," says the artistic director and author of the competition, conductor Jānis Ozols.

The author of the Compulsory peace this year is the worldwide renowned Latvian composer Ēriks Ešenvalds. "Especially for this competition I have written the opus Lux aeterna - in the first version for a six-voiced mixed choir,  then for female and male choirs. Writing compositions for competitions I would compare to a work of a watchmaker - thoughtfully trying to combine artistic qualities with technical challenges so that each choir would have the opportunity to display their capabilities. Lux aeterna is a piece based on phrasing and legato singing," says the composer Ē. Ešenvalds about the new piece.

An international professional jury will judge the participating choirs. The members of the jury will be: American choral and orchestral conductor Brady Allred (USA), who has achieved many significant competition victories with his collectives, often appears as a guest conductor in festivals, works as a member and the head of the jury in local and international choir competitions, gives master classes; award-winning choral conductor, lecturer and composer Ambrož Čopi (Slovenia); choral conductor, lecturer, professor, initiator and artistic director of several international festivals Rolandas Daugėla (Lithuania); conductor Triin Koch (Estonia), who with her collectives has achieved local and international success. The fifth member of the jury will be from Latvia - composer, lecturer and organist Rihards Dubra, whose creative work is closely connected to sacred music and his works are being performed in many international festivals, competitions and concerts.

Competition will last for 3 days gathering all the participants in the Opening concert Friday night and offering the Semi-final competition parts on Saturday and Sunday in two categories. Sunday will also be the day of the Grand Prix Final competition, concluding in a Closing concert and ceremony with the special guests - local a cappella singing stars - vocal group Framest. Tickets to the competition events in advance are available here and in Biļešu Paradīze box offices.

Published: 01 March 2017

Good news for all the choirs wanting to take part at International Baltic Sea Choir Competition, but not succeeding to apply on time. Taking into account the requests of several choirs, the deadline for applications has been prolonged until March 20!