The children’s voices that moved Latvia – the best school choirs receive AKROPOLE prizes worth EUR 10 000

Thousands of children and young people filled Riga with song, dance rhythms and heartfelt emotions this summer at the XIII Latvian School Youth Song and Dance Festival. To thank them for their passion, hard work and creativity, shopping and entertainment centres AKROPOLE Rīga and AKROPOLE Alfa congratulated the winners of the Choir Competition with prizes worth almost EUR 10 000.

The Grand Prix prize was awarded to Balvi Music School Choir of forms 2–9, which won an Akropole gift card worth EUR 1250. Another 23 choirs were awarded cash prizes according to their placings in the different competition groups – EUR 500 for 1^st place, EUR 350 for 2^nd place and EUR 200 for 3^rd place.

“At Akropole, we believe in the power of culture and unity, so we are happy to support the children and teachers who bring this power to life. The prizes will give each choir the opportunity to choose what they need most – whether it is a rest together after intensive rehearsals or a practical investment in their future plans. The main thing is that it will strengthen the team spirit and inspire them to create new wonders of sound in the future,” says Kaspars Beitiņš, CEO of SIA Akropole Latvija.

Results of the final of the Choir Competition

BOYS’ CHOIRS

Group A:

1^st place – Dobele Music School Boys’ Choir, conductor Karīna Zandersone;
2^nd place – Liepāja Music, Art and Design Secondary School Boys’ Choir, conductor Krišs Pozemkovskis;
3^rd place – Ventspils Centre Primary School Boys’ Choir Vivo, conductor Santa Treilība.

Group B:

1^st place – Rēzekne Primary School Boys’ Choir Vokālā iedvesma, conductor Jānis Veļičko;
2^nd place – Babīte Secondary School Boys’ Choir Trellis, conductor Sandra Sestule;
3^rd place – not awarded.

FORM 4–9 CHOIRS

Group A:

1^st place – Ernests Vīgners Kuldīga Music School Girls Choir Cantus, conductors Amanda Gertnere and Maruta Grigale;
2^nd place – Ķekava Music School Choir of forms 3–9, conductor Vineta Litauniece;
3^rd place – Pāvuls Jurjāns Riga Music School Choir of forms 4–9, conductors Oksana Čerkasova and Kristīne Eglīte.

Group B:

1^st place – Ventspils State Gymnasium No. 1 Girls’ Choir Dzeguzīte, conductor Rita Veverbrante;
2^nd place – Varakļāni Secondary School Choir of forms 5–9, conductor Ārija Tumane;
3^rd place – Tilža Primary School Choir of forms 2–9, conductor Linda Vītola.

FORM 5–12 CHOIRS

Group A:

1^st place – Liepāja Music, Art and Design Secondary School Girls’ Choir, conductor Andris Kontauts;
2^nd place – Riga School Children and Youth Centre Girls’ Choir Riga, conductors Irīna Švarcbaha and Aija Smiltēna;
3^rd place – Ventspils Music Secondary School Choir Nošu planētas, conductors Rudīte Tālberga, Antra Ziemele and Valērija Saveka.

Group B:

1^st place – Ikšķile Secondary School Choir of forms 5–12, conductor Maira Līduma;
2^nd place – Riga Rīnūži Secondary School Choir Prima of forms 4–12, conductor Natalja Jekimova;
3^rd place – Riga Lithuanian Secondary School Choir Kibirkštys of forms 5–12, conductor Toms Kazimirisaņecs.

MIXED CHOIRS

Group A:

1^st place – Jelgava Secondary School No. 4 Mixed Choir ROTĀ, conductors Līga Celma-Kursiete, Krista Delvere and Ingus Leilands;
2^nd place – Liepāja Children and Youth Centre Mixed Choir Reverberācija, conductor Andris Mockus;
3^rd place – Riga Technical College Youth Choir Mīts, conductors Artūrs Švarcbahs and Irīna Švarcbaha.

Group B:

1^st place – Riga State Gymnasium No. 2 Mixed Choir, conductor Edgars Vītols;
2^nd place – Riga State Gymnasium No. 1 Mixed Choir Frekvence, conductor Kaspars Vēvers;
3^rd place – Riga Āgenskalns State Gymnasium Mixed Choir, conductor Līga Gaiķe.