The Final of the IV International Contest for Young Singers of Christmas Songs in Daugavpils Culture news
On 8 January, the final of the IV International Contest for Young Singers of Christmas Songs took place at Daugavpils Unity House concert hall. The first Contest round was held remotely and the winners in 4 categories were announced, while the second round - the final - was held in person and the winners of the four main prizes were announced.
In total 78 participants - soloists, duets, ensembles and choirs in different age groups from 5 countries - Bulgaria Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova and Ukraine - took part in the Contest. In December, the first round of the Contest was held remotely - participants sent in video recordings of songs in one of the Contest's five categories: traditional original Christmas song, Christmas folk song, sacred composition of the Christmas time, contemporary Christmas song and Christmas song by Latvian author. The performances were judged by vocal music experts from four countries - Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and Ukraine.
Winners of I Round by categories:
Christmas folk song:
Valeriya Kolesnik, pedagogue Marianna Stadnik (Tyvriv, Ukraine)
Training choir of Daugavpils Music Secondary school n.a.Stanislavs Broks, conductor Anna Istratija (Daugavpils, Latvia)
Sacred composition of the Christmas time:
Viktors Gallo, pedagogue Edīte Rucina (Daugavpils, Latvia)
Podilsk Chamber Choir "LEONTOVYCH-CAPELA" Vinnytsia Regional Philharmonic named after M. D. Leontovych, conductor Olga Baboshina (Ukraine)
Contemporary Christmas song:
Agnese Dzalbe, pedagogue Baiba Klepere (Lielvārde, Latvia)
Children's Choir “BELCANTO” Children's School of Arts named after "E. Koka", conductor Ludmila Samarin (Soroca, Moldova)
Christmas song by Latvian author:
Nellija Šāvēja, pedagogue Zaiga Lazdiņa – Radziņa (Rīga, Latvia)
Riga State 1st Gymnasium Mixed Choir “Frekvence”, conductor Kaspars Vēvers (Rīga, Latvia)
The second round of the Contest – the final, gathered 17 contestants who had won I level diplomas in I Round. The main prizes were awarded in four categories: best soloist or duet under 14, best soloist under 25, best children ensemble or choir, best youth ensemble or choir. The main prize winners also received cash prizes. The performances were judged by vocal music experts from Latvia and Lithuania.
Grand Prix winners of the II Round:
The best soloist up to 14 years of age – Agnese Dzalbe, pedagogue Baiba Klepere (Lielvārde, Latvia).
The best soloist or duet up to 25 years of age – Melisa Gribonika, pedagogue Olga Salna (Daugavpils, Latvia).
The best children choir up to 15 years of age – Vilnius Jesuit High School Mixed Youth Choir "Krantas", conductor Neringa Sidaugaitė (Vilnius, Lithuania).
The best youth choir up to 25 years of age – Jelgava 4th Secondary School Girls Choir “Spīgo”, conductor Krista Delvere (Jelgava, Latvia).
Two special prizes were also awarded – Riga State 1st Gymnasium mixed choir "Frekvence" (Riga) received the special prize of the Unity House for performing a song by Latvian author, while pedagogue Baiba Klepere (Lielvārde) received the special prize of the Opportunities Secondary School for high pedagogical excellence.
Anyone interested can see the best performances of the first round online - on the YouTube channel "Latvian Contests" in the form of video recordings.
The IV International Contest for Young Singers of Christmas Songs is organized by the Daugavpils Municipality Department of Culture in cooperation with Daugavpils Unity House.
Initially International Contest for Young Singers of Christmas Songs was part of the International Festival of Sacred Music "Silver Bells", but over time, it has evolved and since 2021 has become an independent event organized every second year.
Additional information:
Viktorija Cirse, Daugavpils City Municipality Department of Culture
t.: 654 23601, e-mail: viktorija.cirse@daugavpils.lv
Jevgeņijs Ustinskovs, Artistic Director, author of the Project
t.: 29538278, e-mail: latviancontests@inbox.lv
