SONAI iscin 2 nd place in Latvian voxal competition competition

In April 2016, semi-final views of the Latvian voyage competition were held, in which the best ensembles of the cultural heritage of the country took part. The competition, as usual, took place during the period between the general Latvian song and dance festival. This national competition helps to identify the situation in the movement of voxal ensembles. 38 Latvia's best vocal ensembles, including a high score of Rezekne's “Skonai”, were nominated for the final final of the competition, which took place on 14 May at the Kekava Municipality Cultural House.

The final vocals of the competition had to play three songs: Latvian folk songs in unison. a cappella, the original song of a Latvian composer or a folk-songs finish, a free choice song.

In the final of the competition, the judges of the competition were assessed: the chairman of the jury, the associate professor of the Latvian Music Academy of Latvia, the founder of the ancient musical ensemble “Schola Cantorum Riga” and the head of the Guntars Pris; a singer, conductor, producer, composer and artist Andris Sējāns; a composer, educator and Latvian radio 3 “classics” music journalist Andris dzenitis; music pedagogy, the National Education content centre's small music collective Antra Strikaite and opera singer, vocal pedagogy Baiba Renerte.

The singing young people of Rezekne, in the final performance of Guntras Kuzmina's folk-songs and original songs, won the honorary 2 nd place in the category of mixed ensembles. Despite the strong competition, the best of the best, “Skonai” demonstrated not only the technically high performance, but also the performances of energy and genuine love of music and stage. It should be noted that the 1 st place in the final mixed ensemble category was not granted.

It is true joy and pride that the Rēzekne municipality, “Skonai”, once again confirms that the Latgale is great, musical, talented and very working young people who put themselves in work.

Big and very sincere thanks to the Skonai leaders Guntrai Kuzmin and Edgar Yukn, not in vain, say that the collective is a mirror of their leaders! Thank you for the unselfish work and love seen in every “Skonai” sanctuary and in the step.

Also, thank you for the constant supporters of “Skonai”, the municipality of Rezekne, the support always provided, which helps to move safely upward toward new peaks and bring the name of Rezekne to the proud of the Rēzekne!

Aiva Stalcha,
A member of the Rēzekne municipality's “Skonai” studio