21st (2018)

THE TWENTY FIRST

The International Stasys Šimkus Choir Competition took place at the Klaipėda Concert Hall on May 10–13, 2018. A total of 14 choirs applied to participate in the competition: 2 children’s choirs, 3 youth choirs, 2 women’s choirs, 2 men’s choirs, and 5 mixed choirs from Latvia, Estonia, and Lithuania.

The Artistic Director and Organizer of the competition was Prof. Algirdas Šumskis, Chairman of the Board of the Klaipėda City Choral Society “Aukuras”.

Jury 
Renowned choral specialists were invited to serve on the jury. The Chairman of the Jury was John Galea (Malta). The jury also included: Prof. Vytautas Miškinis (Lithuania), Prof. Romāns Vanags (Latvia), Prof. Algis Zaboras (Spain), and Secretary Karolis Manšas (Lithuania).

Laureates 
In the mixed choir category, 1st place was awarded to the Kaunas Culture Centre Tautos Namai Mixed Choir “Kamertonas” (conductor Kęstutis Jakeliūnas, Lithuania). 
In the equal voices category, 1st place was awarded to the Women’s Choir “Viva” (conductor Vilija Mažintaitė, Lithuania). 
No 1st place was awarded in the youth (school) and children’s choir categories.

Main Prizes 
The Grand Amber Prize and a €1,500 award were won by the Kaunas Culture Centre Tautos Namai Mixed Choir “Kamertonas” (conductor Kęstutis Jakeliūnas, Lithuania). 
The Small Amber Prize and a €1,000 award were not awarded this year.

Special Prizes 
– The Lithuanian Folk Culture Centre Prize for the best performance of a work by a national composer was awarded to the Viktor Popov Grand Children’s Choir (conductor Anatoly Kisliakov, Russia); 
– The Klaipėda City Municipality Prize for the best performance of a contemporary composition was awarded to the Klaipėda Culture Centre Žvejų Rūmai Mixed Choir “Cantare” (conductor Artūras Dambrauskas, Lithuania); 
– The Klaipėda City Choral Society “Aukuras” Prize for the best performance of Stasys Šimkus’ work “Oželis” was awarded to the Kaunas Culture Centre Tautos Namai Mixed Choir “Kamertonas” (conductor Kęstutis Jakeliūnas, Lithuania); 
– The Lithuanian Choral Union Prize for the most valuable competition programme was awarded to the Women’s Choir “Viva” (conductor Vilija Mažintaitė, Lithuania); 
– The Klaipėda Stasys Šimkus Conservatoire Prize for the best performance of a work by Stasys Šimkus was awarded to the Klaipėda Stasys Šimkus Conservatoire Mixed Choir (conductor Jolanta Vyšniauskienė, Lithuania).

Follow us on social media:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ssimkusicc
Insatgram: https://www.instagram.com/ssimkusicc
YouTube: http://youtube.com/@ssimkusicc