The Chamber Choir of the University of Tartu takes part in the 8th Nordic-Baltic Choir Festival in Latvia, giving independent concerts, presentations about Estonian choral music and singing at the closing concert in Mežaparks, Riga, where all Latvian song celebrations are held. The chamber choir also gives a special concerti in Cēsis St John’s Church. The Chamber Choir of the University of Tartu is an Estonian representative choir at the 8th Nordic-Baltic Choir Festival and its conductor Triin Koch is a member of the artistic board of the festival.
Ken Ird, the president of the Chamber Choir of the University of Tartu states that giving an contemporary Estonian choral music presentation to an international audience is a new and interesting experience for the choir. At the presentation a men’s choir of the chamber choir can be heard, which performs an example from the choral music of composer-conductor Pärt Uusberg.
Nordic-Baltic song festival tradition was initiated in 1995 by Latvian conductor Imants Kokars, who invited more than 6,000 singers to perform in Riga, Latvia. During the next 20 years the festival has been held in six different Baltic and Scandinavian country, including Tartu, Estonia. Being held in Riga, Latvia for the second time, more than 6,500 singers are expected to take part, along with guest choirs coming from Italy and Luxembourg.
The 8th Nordic-Baltic Choir Festival ends the current 44th season of the Chamber Choir of the University of Tartu. Season 2015/2016 is an anniversary season, culminating with jubilee concerts in April, May 2016.
