The 9th International Baltic Sea Choir Competition (IBSCC) will take place from September 18 to 20 at the Dzintari Concert Hall in Jūrmala, gathering high-level amateur choirs from Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Finland, Norway, Ukraine, Georgia, and the Philippines. Since 2024, the Jūrmala event has operated as one of the six official preliminary legs of the European Grand Prix for Choral Singing (EGP), placing it among the most highly rated amateur choir competitions in the world.
Choirs Competing for the European Grand Prix Spot
Ten choirs representing eight countries will vie for the Grand Prix title and a spot in the EGP final scheduled for Arezzo, Italy, in August 2027. Villanueva).
Expert Jury and Event Schedule
Performances will be evaluated by an international five-member jury consisting of Vilija Mažintaitė (Lithuania), Valter Soosalu (Estonia), Rahela Durič (Slovenia), Jurģis Cābulis (Latvia), and Leon Shiu Wai Tong (Hong Kong). The event schedule opens on September 18 at 19:00 with an opening concert at the Dubulti Evangelical Lutheran Church. On September 19 at 11:00, the mandatory program semifinal takes place at the Dzintari Concert Hall, followed by the optional program semifinal at 16:00. The Grand Prix final, closing concert featuring guest artists Valters Pūce and Dainis Tenis, and the award ceremony will be held on September 20 at 11:00 at the Dzintari Concert Hall, with live broadcasts provided by TV24.
Did you know? According to artistic director Jānis Ozols, a choir from Ukraine is participating in the competition for the very first time in its history, expanding the cultural diversity of the event.
Prizes and Mandatory Latvian Composition
To promote original Latvian music in the international choral scene, organizers commission a new work each year. The mandatory composition for this year is “When I Was Born” by Raimonds Tiguls. Commenting on the inspiration behind the piece, composer Raimonds Tiguls stated, “I dedicated this piece to those angels who live above my house.” The top three winning choirs will receive cash prizes, with the Grand Prix winner taking home €3,500, the Jūrmala City Cup created by artist Ginta Grūbe, and a direct ticket to the EGP final in Italy.
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where is the International Baltic Sea Choir Competition held?
The competition takes place from September 18 to 20 at the Dzintari Concert Hall in Jūrmala, Latvia.
How can viewers watch the competition if they cannot attend in person?
The entire competition is broadcast live on TV24 and through the official event website.
What does the winner of the competition receive?
The Grand Prix winner receives a €3,500 cash prize, the Jūrmala City Cup, and qualification for the European Grand Prix for Choral Singing final in Arezzo, Italy.
Keep reading