THE TWELFTH

International Competition, which took place on the 1st – 3rd of October, 1999, acquired an even wider scope. Choirs errived from Germany, Poland, Latvia, Estonia and, it goes without saying, from Lithuania. A total of 19 collectives: 3 children’s, 5 youth, 6 even voices‘ and 5 mixed choirs, participated. A solid Jury consisting of the chairman Venno Laul (Estonia), members Professor Jan Lukszewski (Poland), Professor Edgars Račevskis (Latvia), Professor Vytautas Miškinis and Robertas Varnas (Lithuania) began their work. The secretary was Kęstutis Kačinskas (Lithuania).

The winners of the first prizes were the following: in the youth group – the choir of M. K. Čiurlionis’ Art Gymnasium (Vilnius, Lithuania), leader Romualdas Gražinis; in the even voices group – the men choir “Cantabile Limburg” from Limburg (Germany), leader Jurgen Faßbender; in the mixed choirs group – mixed choir “Fortins” of Riga Academy for Preparation of Teachers and Education Management, leader Māra Marnauza. Children’s choirs were awarded only the second and third prizes.

In the second round, the men choir “Cantabile Limburg” from Limburg (Germany) led by an excellent conductor Jurgen Faßbender won the GRAND AMBER prize and the main bounty. Special prize (founded by S. Šimkus’ sons Algis and Neris (USA)) was granted to Klaipėda vocal ensemble (leader Vladimiras Konstantinovas) for the best performance of S. Šimkus’ piece “Nakties tylumoj”.

Special prize (founded by S. Šimkus’ Conservatoire) was granted to the mixed youth choir of M. K. Čiurlionis’ Art Gymnasium (leader Romualdas Gražinis) for the best performance of S. Šimkus’ song “Šermukšnėle”.

Special prize (founded by Klaipėda City Culture Department) was granted to the youth choir “Atžalynas” of Šiauliai City (leader Marija Žibudienė) for the most valuable programme performed in the competition.

Special prize (founded by the Center of Lithuanian National Culture) was granted to the youth choir “Skali” of Jelgava 2nd gymnasium (leader Gunta Paškovska) for the best performance of the work of a composer of their country.

Special prize (founded by Lithuanian Music Teachers Association) was granted to the mixed youth choir of M. K. Čiurlionis’ Art Gymnasium (leader Romualdas Gražinis) as the best youth choir.

Special prize (founded by Klaipėda Choir Association “Aukuras”) was granted to the mixed choir “Fortins” of Riga Academy of Preparation of Teachers and Education Management (leader Māra Marnauza) for the best performance of a Renaissance composer’s piece. 

 

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