August 05 / 2011
Youth Choir Wins Gold in Japan
At the end of July, the Youth and Children’s Choir “Kivi” came back from a choir competition in Japan with a gold medal.
Lithuanian Youth Centre (LYC) Choir “KIVI”. Photo: choras.lt
The young singers reaped gold in the 27th International Chamber Chorus Contest held in Takarazuka, the Ministry of Culture has announced.
The contest was open to choirs from all over the world, but the performers from the US, Canada and European countries did not come, due to the tragic events in Japan this spring.
The competition featured 20 choirs from Japan, South Korea and Lithuania. The participating choirs were not divided into age categories and were allowed to compete in all three genres: modern music, folk and theatre music where singing is combined with elements of acting and dancing.
In the folk category, “Kivi” presented Lithuanian folk songs arranged by Lithuanian composers. The judging panel were pleasantly surprised by the beauty of the Lithuanian folk songs as well as their impeccable performance by the singers: “perfect vocal abilities, stage performance, intonation and ensemble performance skills and the most important thing is that the children understand what they are doing”, were the judges’ comments. “Kivi” singers performed the compulsory folk programme dressed in traditional costumes, which made their performance all the more outstanding.
The judging panel was especially impressed by the song “Jūrų eglelė” composed by Bronius Kutavičius, for which “Kivi” singers created their own scenography. A judging panel member from Bulgaria noted that Lithuanian choral singers have diamond voices, while a Japanese judge said he was admiring, listening and rejoicing with them. Though, traditionally, the Japanese value modesty and moderation, rather than direct expression of feelings, the audience heaped praise and compliments on “Kivi” singers.
The organizers of the contest helped to stage the concert of “Kivi” for audience of the Sanda city, which was a huge success, and the singers were invited to take part next year in both the Sanda Choir Festival and the Takarazuka International Chamber Chorus Contest.
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