15th (2005)

THE FIFTEENTH

As the fifteenth International Stasys Šimkus Choir Competition approached, Prof. Algis Zaboras stepped down from his positions in the Klaipėda City Choral Association Aukuras and as Chair of the Competition Organizing Committee, and left Klaipėda. Former Chair Assoc. Prof. Robertas Varnas temporarily returned to these duties and, drawing on his extensive experience, successfully led all preparatory work for the competition.

The 15th International Stasys Šimkus Choir Competition took place on October 21–23, 2005. It brought together 15 choirs from Lithuania, Poland, Estonia, Latvia, and Slovenia. The competition was held in four choir categories: children’s, youth, equal-voice, and mixed choirs. The jury comprised six members: Prof. J. Lindbergs (Latvia) – Chair; Vaclovas Augustinas (Lithuania); Arūnas Pečiulis (Austria); Prof. J. Bent (Estonia); Alfonsas Vildžiūnas (Lithuania); and lecturer Judita Kiaulakytė (Lithuania) – Secretary.

Laureate titles were awarded to: in the mixed choirs category – the mixed choir Viva Brežice from Brežice (conductor S. Rožman Strand, Slovenia); in the equal-voice choirs category – the chamber men’s choir Revalia (conductor Hirvo Surva, Estonia); in the youth choirs category – no first prize was awarded; in the children’s choirs category – the choir Perpetuum mobile of the Kaunas Aleksandras Kačanauskas Music School (conductor Beata Kijauskienė, Lithuania). These choirs received First Degree Diplomas and cash prizes of €400.

The GRAND AMBER Prize and a €1,000 award were presented to the chamber men’s choir Revalia (conductor Hirvo Surva, Estonia). The SMALL AMBER Prize and a €750 award were won by the choir Perpetuum mobile of the Kaunas Aleksandras Kačanauskas Music School (conductor Beata Kijauskienė, Lithuania).

Special prizes were awarded as follows: the prize of the Klaipėda Stasys Šimkus Conservatory for the best performance of Stasys Šimkus’s work Nakties tylumoj (“In the Stillness of the Night”) – to the mixed choir Cantare of the Klaipėda City Municipality Cultural Centre Žvejų rūmai (conductor Artūras Dambrauskas, Lithuania); the prize of the Lithuanian Folk Culture Centre for the best performance of works by composers from one’s own country – to the chamber men’s choir Revalia (conductor Hirvo Surva, Estonia); the prize of the Lithuanian Association of Music Teachers for the best youth choir – to the mixed choir Gabija of Vilnius Gediminas Technical University (conductor Rasa Viskantaitė, Lithuania); the prize of the Klaipėda City Municipality Department of Education for the most valuable competition program in the children’s choir category – to the choir Perpetuum mobile of the Kaunas Aleksandras Kačanauskas Music School (conductor Beata Kijauskienė, Lithuania); and the prize of the Klaipėda City Choral Association Aukuras for the best performance of the compulsory works – to the women’s choir Ausma (conductor Janis Zirnis, Latvia).

After the conclusion of the 15th International Stasys Šimkus Choir Competition, the leadership of the Klaipėda City Choral Association Aukuras changed. Following the resignation of Robertas Varnas as Chair, the position was assumed by Assoc. Prof. Algirdas Šumskis. He subsequently carried the main responsibility for organizing the 16th International Stasys Šimkus Choir Competition, along with other activities of the Klaipėda City Choral Association Aukuras. This work was supported by experienced colleagues Vytautas Blūšius, Robertas Varnas, Algis Kliševičius, employees of the Klaipėda City Municipality, as well as other individuals and organizations.

In 2006, the Klaipėda City Choral Association Aukuras came under the leadership of the newly elected Chair, Assoc. Prof. Algirdas Šumskis, who also assumed full responsibility for organizing the Stasys Šimkus Choir Competition.

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