Choirs and musical programmes 2025

Vocal Chamber Ensemble Vox pUNT was founded in February 2021 under the artistic direction of composer and conductor Patrik Sebastian Unt. Despite its relatively short history, Vox pUNT has already performed successfully across Estonia and internationally, presenting choral music by both Estonian and international composers. In addition to concerts, the ensemble has succesfully participated in international competitions. In July 2023, it took part in the 12th Johannes Brahms International Choir Competition in Wernigerode, Germany, winning both the folklore and chamber choir categories and receiving the Grand Prix. The jury also honored Patrik Sebastian Unt with the Best Conductor Prize. The jury and critics highlighted the ensemble’s exceptional mastery, musical expressiveness,uniform sound, and versatility in interpreting different musical styles. In 2024, the ensemble released its first album, Und nägin maailmast (I dreamed about the world). It features primarly compositions by its artistic leader alongside selected works from the ensemble’s repertoire. It was posetively received by both audiences and critics.

OPENING CONCERT
Veljo Tormis (1930–2017): VADJA PULMALAULUD: 2. Pulmaliste saabumine (Estonian folk lyrics)
Fennica Gehrman
Mart Saar (1882–1963): JAAN LÄHEB JAANITULELE (Estonian folk lyrics)
Eesti Raamat

COMPULSORY PROGRAM
Jacobus Handl Gallus (1550–1591): AB ORIENTE VENERUNT MAGI, OM ½ (Isa 57:1–2)
CPDL
Charles Villiers Stanford (1852–1924): BEATI QUORUM VIA (Psalm 119:1)
CPDL
Andrej Makor (1987): ENO ROŽCO JAZ IMAM (Folk song from Dolina, Trieste, Italy)
JSKD

FREE PROGRAM
Arvo Pärt (1935): THE DEER’S CRY (St. Patrick’s prayer)
Universal Edition
Tõnu Kõrvits (1969): THE NIGHT IS DARKENING ROUND ME (Emily Jane Brontë)
©Tõnu Kõrvits
Jaakko Mäntyjärvi (1963): 4 SHAKESPEARE SONGS: 3. Double, double toil and trouble (William Shakespeare)
Sulasol

GRAND PRIX
Tõnu Kõrvits (1969): THE NIGHT IS DARKENING ROUND ME (Emily Jane Brontë)
©Tõnu Kõrvits
György Orbán (1947): DAEMON IRREPIT CALLIDUS (Anonymus, 17th century)
Hinshaw Music, Inc.
Patrik Sebastian Unt (1999): NÜÜD ÕHTU ON (Kersti Merilaas)
©Patrik Sebastian Unt
Mart Saar (1882–1963): NOORE VELJO, VEERITÄGE (Estonian folk lyrics)
Eesti Raamat

Gruppo Vocale Novecento was founded in 2003 as a male vocal ensemble, with a repertoire including Renaissance polyphony, Romantic, contemporary, and folk music. In over 20 years, the ensemble has won numerous national and international awards, including first prize at the 3rd Trofeo Nazionale Cori d’Italia (Ledro, Trento), first prize ex aequo at the 1st National Choral Competition Città di Chiari (Brescia), the Grand Prix at the 12th National Polyphonic Competition Lago Maggiore (Verbania), first prize and the Città di Arco trophy at the 2nd Luigi Pigarelli Competition (Arco, Trento), and first prize at the 8th National Choral Competition Città di Fermo. International highlights include the Efrem Casagrande Grand Prix at the 49th National Choral Competition Trofei Città di Vittorio Veneto, two second prizes at the International Polyphonic Competition Guido d’Arezzo, first prize in the Romantic repertoire at the 57th International Choral Competition Seghizzi (Gorizia), and a gold diploma with first prize at the 25th International Choral Competition in Verona.

OPENING CONCERT
Gianni Malatesta (1926–2021): IL CACCIATORE DEL BOSCO (Folk song from Italy)
Coro tre pini
Giorgio Susana (1975): IO RESTO QUI: ADDIO! (Giorgio Susana)
Feniarco

COMPULSORY PROGRAM
Jacobus Handl Gallus (1550–1591): REPLETI SUNT OMNES SPIRITU SANCTO, OM 2/4 (Acts 2:4)
ZRC SAZU, Ljubljana
Gioachino Rossini (1792–1868): PÉCHÉS DE VIEILLESSE: 7. Preghiera (Giovanni Targioni Tozzetti)
Den Norske Studentersangforening Oslo CPDL
Andrej Makor (1987): ENO ROŽCO JAZ IMAM (Folk song from Dolina, Trieste, Italy)
JSKD

FREE PROGRAM
Mario Lanaro (1957): AESTIMATUS SUM (Ps. 87:5)
Unpublished
Manolo Da Rold (1976): TETELESTAI (liturgical text, Lam. 1:12, Mt. 27:45–46)
Unpublished

GRAND PRIX
Cristòbal de Morales (1500–1553): CIRCUMDEDERUNT ME (Ps. 21)
Transcript
Mario Lanaro (1957): AESTIMATUS SUM (Ps. 87:5)
Unpublished
Ily Matthew Maniano (1988): NON NOBIS DOMINE (Ps. 113:9)
© Ily Matthew Maniano Choral Work
Andrej Makor (1987): O LUX BEATA TRINITAS (Saint Ambrose)
Astrum Music Publication

The Academic Choir Tone Tomšič of the University of Ljubljana unites students from all its faculties who share a passion for singing and high-quality artistic creation. The choir was founded by France Marolt in 1926 as a male ensemble. After WW2, it reformed in 1946 as a mixed ensemble under the current name. Since its inception, the choir has been one of the most important guides of Slovene choral singing, both in terms of performance and technical aspects, as well as its program orientation. The ensemble pays special attention to contemporary choral literature. It encourages creation of new compositions by both young and established Slovene composers through commissions and competitions. With first performances of new choral pieces, the choir increases recognition of Slovene choral creativity at home and abroad. Renowned choirmasters have always led the choir. Since October 2021, it has been led by Rahela Durič. Under her leadership, they have won several awards and competitions, such as the international competition in Spittal (Austria) in 2023, the national competition Naša pesem 2024, and several special awards.

OPENING CONCERT
Krištof Strnad (1999): ZREJLO JE ŽITO (Folk song from North-east Slovenia)
Unpublished
Jakob Jež (1928–2022): JABOLKO RUDEČE (Folk song from South-east Slovenia)
APZ Tone Tomšič

COMPULSORY PROGRAM
Jacobus Handl Gallus (1550–1591):  HEROES, PUGNATE VIRI FORTISSIMI, HM: 1/12
ZRC SAZU, Ljubljana
Charles Hubert Parry (1848–1918): SONGS OF FAREWELL: 4. There is an old belief (John Bison Lockhart)
Oxford University Press
Andrej Makor (1987): ENO ROŽCO JAZ IMAM (Folk song from Dolina, Trieste, Italy)
JSKD

FREE PROGRAM
Karol Pahor (1896–1974): OČE NAŠ HLAPCA JERNEJA (Ivan Cankar)
Astrum Music Publications
Sven–David Sandström (1942): TO SEE A WORLD (William Blake)
Ghermans Musikförlag
Laura Jēkabsone (1985): FATHER THUNDER (Latvian Folk song text)
Musica Baltica

GRAND PRIX
Lojze Lebič (1934): ČAS (Jakob Šešerko)
Astrum
Jakko Mäntyjärvi (1963): THE LORD’S PRAYER (Lord’s Prayer)
Sulasol
Jonathan Rathbone (1957): VEM KAN SEGLA FÖRUTAN VIND? (Swedish traditional)
Edition Peters
Daniel Knaggs (1983): TIME AND PASSING: 2. To everything, a Season (Eccl. 3)
Edition Peters

ONE Chamber Choir was founded in 2009 by Lim Ai Hooi, and comprises singers who are choral enthusiasts with extensive choral performing experience. On the international stage, the choir has clinched various awards over the years, including Champion of the World Choir Games in 2018. It has also brought renowned overseas clinicians to Singapore, such as Maestro Werner Pfaff from Germany, Maestro Māris Sirmais from Latvia, and Maestro André van der Merwe from South Africa, through a concert series that explores new genres of choral music and enriches our local choral scene. ONE Chamber Choir is now the flagship choir of ONE Choral Company, a non-profit organisation dedicated to upholding choral excellence, nurturing the next generation of choral musicians, and fostering musical connections and collaboration across Asia and beyond.

OPENING CONCERT
Cherie Chai (1988): SINGAPORE TOWN (The Sidaislers)
Unpublished
Yi Feng Ang (1994): A TAMIL MEDLEY (S. Jesudassan, Shabir Tabare Alam)
Unpublished

COMPULSORY PROGRAM
Jacobus Handl Gallus (1550–1591): MUSICA MUSARUM GERMANA, M 29
ZRC SAZU, Ljubljana
Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872–1958): REST (Christina Rossetti)
CPDL
Andrej Makor (1987): ENO ROŽCO JAZ IMAM (Folk song from Dolina, Trieste, Italy)
JSKD

FREE PROGRAM
Yanbin Xia (1986): XUAN HUANG (Xinsi Zhou)
Selfpublished
Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy (1809–1847): DREIZEHN PSALMMOTETTEN: 4. Tag für Tag sei der Herr gepriesen (Religious text)
Carus Verlag
Franco Prinsloo (1987): SALVE REGINA (Antiphon)
Selfpublished
Ko Matsushita (1962): HASHIRU (Shuntaro Tanikawa)
Pana Musica Co., Ltd.

GRAND PRIX
Henry Purcell (1658–1695): IN THESE DELIGHTFUL PLEASANT GROVES (Thomas Shadwell)
Transcript
Julius Röntgen (1855–1932): GLEICHWIE DIE GRÜNEN BLÄTTER AUF EINEM SCHÖNEN BAUM (Sir. 14:19–27)
Donemus Publishing
Ko Matsushita (1962): JAPANESE GAME (Shuntaro Tanikawa)
Pana Musica Co., Ltd.
Yanbin Xia (1986): TIANJINGSHA: AUTUMN THOUGHTS  (Zhiyuan Ma)
@2020 Xia yanbin

Ropaži Municipality Mixed Choir “Pa Saulei” is one of the most creative and attractive musical ensembles in Latvian choral culture. It was founded in 2009 by its artistic director Marta Ozola, who has led the choir ever since. The choir performs music from various styles and eras. Latvian folk songs hold a special place in its repertoire and are performed with a deep understanding of Latvian traditions, as well as with a touch of humour. They regularly and successfully participate in various international choral events and competitions across Europe and Asia. The choir also creates special musical programs. In 2025, “Pa Saulei” is performing a cycle of compositions dedicated to the choir by composer Laura Jēkabsone, which follows the cycle of the sun and seasonal and traditional celebrations. High musical quality and strong results in contests and festivals motivate all choir members to continue striving for new goals and achievements.

OPENING CONCERT
Laura Jēkabsone (1985): NĀC, DIEVIŅI! (Latvian folksong)
Musica Baltica

COMPULSORY PROGRAM
Jacobus Handl Gallus (1550–1591): MIRABILE MYSTERIUM, OM 1/54
ZRC SAZU, Ljubljana
Emīls Dārziņš (1875–1910): SAPŅU TĀLUMĀ (Aspazija)
Musica Baltica
Andrej Makor (1987): ENO ROŽCO JAZ IMAM (Folk song from Dolina, Trieste, Italy)
JSKD

FREE PROGRAM
Rihards Dubra (1964): RĪT JAU JĀBŪT (Ojārs Vācietis)
Musica Baltica
Pēteris Vasks (1946): MĀTE SAULE (Jānis Peters)
Schott Music

GRAND PRIX
Pēteris Vasks (1946): MĀTE SAULE (Jānis Peters)
Schott Music
Pēteris Plakidis (1947–2017): FANTAMORGĀNA: 3. Meža vīriņš (Rainis)
Musica Baltica
Vytautas Miškinis (1951): NEIŠEIK, SAULALA (Lithuanian folk song and Vytautas Miškinis)
Musica Baltica

The Hedvig Eleonora Youth Choir brings together singers aged 16 to 25 who share a passion for performing high-level vocal music. Founded in 2015 by conductor Natalia Edvall, the choir regularly performs at prominent events, television productions, and projects in Sweden and abroad. Natalia Edvall, the choir’s director, is a graduate of the Tchaikovsky Conservatory and a music teacher at Adolf Fredriks Musikklasser. She is an award-winning conductor who also appeared in the Netflix series Young Royals. The choir quickly gained national and international recognition and often participates in events organized by the Swedish royal family. In 2024, it released its latest CD. The choir has achieved numerous successes at international competitions. They won the sacred music category at the 2017 International Competition in Rimini and earned two second-place awards and the Best Conductor prize at the Bergen Grieg Festival in 2022, In 2023, the choir won two gold awards and its category at the European Choir Games, as well as two more gold awards and second place overall at the Grand Prix competition.

OPENING CONCERT
Oskar Lindberg (1887–1955): STILLA SKÖNA AFTONTIMMA (Jacob Timotheus Jacobsson)
Nordiska Musikförlaget
Hugo Alfvén (1872–1960): TJUV OCH TJUV, DET SKA DU HETA (traditional)
Gehrmans Musikförlag

COMPULSORY PROGRAM
Jacobus Handl Gallus (1550–1591): MEDIA VITA IN MORTE SUMUS, OM I/65
CPDL
Felix Mehndelsohn–Bartholdy (1809–1847): DREI PSALMEN, op. 78: 2. RICHTE MICH, GOTT
(Ps 43)
CPDL
Andrej Makor (1987): ENO ROŽCO JAZ IMAM (Folk song from Dolina, Trieste, Italy)
JSKD

FREE PROGRAM
Claudio Monteverdi (1567–1643): CANTATE DOMINO, SV 293 (Ps. 96:1–2, Ps. 98:1,4–5)
CPDL
Ulrika Emanuelsson (1965): I DET VITT OFYLLDA: 3. GENKLANG (Lotta Lotass)
Gehrmans Musikförlag
Frank Martin (1890–1974): MASS FOR DOUBLE CHOIR: 3. Credo (Roman Missal – Mass Ordinary)
Bärenreiter

GRAND PRIX
Ivo Antognini (1963): HOPE IS THE THING OF FEATHERS (Emily Dickinson)
Edition ICOT
Hreiđar Ingi (1978): RAUĐI RIDDARINN (Daviđ Stefánsson)
Thorsteinsson publishing
Sergej Vasiljevič Rahmaninov (1873–1943): VSENOŠČNOE BDENIE, OP. 37: 6. Bogorodice Devo (Antiphon, Lk.1:28.42)
CPDL

The Archipelago Singers is a multi-award-winning Indonesian choir, founded by a group of individuals deeply devoted to choral music. The choir’s name reflects Indonesia as the world’s largest archipelagic country and embodies its mission to promote the spirit of “unity in diversity” through choral singing. In recent years, the choir has grown into a respected musical institution with both national and international acclaim.It has consecutively won first and grand prizes at prestigious international choral competitions, including Miltenberg (2012), Cantonigròs (2014), Torrevieja (2014), Manila (2015), Varna (2016), and Busan (2019). Most recently, in 2023, it received two third prizes in different categories at international competition in Arezzo. In 2018, The Archipelago Singers became the first Indonesian choir to be invited to the renowned Festival des Choeurs Laureats in Provence.They have also collaborated with numerous internationally recognized composers and conductors.

OPENING CONCERT
Ajosu Elberdin (1976): SOLERAM (Folk song from Riau, Indonesia)
Selfpublished
Ega O. Azarya (1987): TAK TONG TONG (Folksong from Minangkabau, Indonesia)
Selfpublished

COMPULSORY PROGRAM
Jacobus Handl Gallus (1550–1591): MUSICA MUSARUM GERMANA, M 29
IMSLP
Heinrich von Herzogenberg (1843–1900): LITURGISCHE GESÄNGE OP. 81 I: 5. Meine Seele erhebt den Herrn (Lk. 1:46–47,49)
Carus-Verlag
Andrej Makor (1987): ENO ROŽCO JAZ IMAM (Folk song from Dolina, Trieste, Italy)
JSKD

FREE PROGRAM
Tine Bec (1993): IMMACULATA (Berta Golob)
Unpublished
Jēkabs Jančevskis (1992): MATER AMABILIS (liturgical text)
Musica Baltica
Ily Matthew Maniano (1988): SONGS FROM THE OTHER SIDE: 5. CREATIONS CRESCENDO (Rev. 5:13)
©Ily Matthew Maniano Choral Work

GRAND PRIX
Tadeja Vulc (1978): SINE SOLE NIHIL SUM (Texts from Sundials)
Astrum Music Publication
Ēriks Ešenvalds (1977): SHE WALKS IN THE BEAUTY (Lord Byron)
Musica Baltica
Jēkabs Jančevskis (1992): ATSALUMS (Jēkabs Jančevskis and texts taken from Latvian folksong)
Musica Baltica

The St. Nicholas Choir of Litija is one of Slovenia’s leading choral ensembles, enriching the Slovenian and European choral scene for over 25 years. It focuses on commissioning and performing new works by Slovenian composers, promoting domestic choral creativity. They are particularly proud of having performed a new Christmas Oratorio for choir, orchestra, and two soloists, written for them in 2023 by Damijan Močnik. Their most recent competitive success was second place in the International Excellent category at the 2023 international choir competition in Marktoberdorf. In addition to classical and contemporary repertoire, the ensemble often undertakes innovative projects beyond traditional choral boundaries. It collaborates with leading conductors, orchestras, and composers, regularly winning awards at national and international competitions. Education of young singers is also a key part of the choir’s mission, shaping the future of the Slovenian choral scene. The choir has been led by Helena Fojkar Zupančič since its founding.

OPENING CONCERT
Damijan Močnik (1967): ZVOKI SLOVENIJE (slovenian folk songs)
Manuscript

COMPULSORY PROGRAM:
Jacobus Handl Gallus (1550–1591): PATER NOSTER, QUI ES IN CAELIS, OM 1/69
ZRC SAZU
Anton Bruckner (1824–1896): CHRISTUS FACTUS EST (Phil 2:8–9)
CPDL
Andrej Makor (1987): ENO ROŽCO JAZ IMAM (Folk song from Dolina, Trieste, Italy)
JSKD

FREE PROGRAM
Tadeja Vulc (1978): SINE SOLE NIHIL SUM (text from sundials)
Astrum Music Publication
Einojuhani Rautavaara (1928–2016): SUITE DE LORCA (Federico García Lorca)
Edition Fazer, Helsinki
Laura Jēkabsone (1985): FATHER THUNDER (Latvian Folk song text)
Musica Baltica

GRAND PRIX
Tine Bec (1993): DELIVER ME, O LORD (text from the Office of the Dead (Libera me)
Astrum Music Publication
Johannes Brahms (1833–1897): DREI GESÄNGE op. 42: 2. Vineta (Wilhelm Müller)
CPDL
Jēkabs Jančevskis (1992): ATSALUMS (Jēkabs Jančevskis and texts taken from Latvian folksong)
Musica Baltica