Instrumental and vocal instrumental ensembles of students of traditional music, jazz and modern rhythm music education programs of secondary music schools in Latvia and neighboring countries are invited to participate in the competition. The idea of the competition is to combine folk music and jazz.
A completely accidental and profoundly inspiring combination of these two rather opposite genres of music was heard until now only by a random passer-by, when through an open window you could hear the ensembles playing in the adjacent rooms – jazz in one room, traditional music in the other. Unbeknownst to them, the idea and dream about its realization was born in the heads of those around them – their own ethno-jazz music ensemble and a competition in which to show and prove themselves.
The main goal of this competition is highlighting the traditional values of Latgale and incorporating folk music elements into the modern music genre. This is already evidenced by the name given to the competition, which was inspired by a Latvian folk song I walk through the forest. In our case, let’s go through jazz, taking with us and being proud of our national values. It is very important not to forget and be proud of our cultural wealth, the place where we were born and the people who make our lives richer. With this competition, we want to promote the professional growth of young musicians, comprehensive personal development, improve the collective performance skills and experience of students of music education institutions, develop the musical traditions and quality of instrumental and vocal-instrumental ensembles in modern rhythmic and traditional music styles.
All participants of the competition have a common task – to play two pieces of different nature: an original arrangement of a folk song of their region and an original arrangement of a piece of free choice or an original composition that includes elements of ethnic music. During the competition, every listener will have the opportunity to get to know original arrangements of folk songs from different regions of Latvia and neighboring countries, thus discovering and introducing everyone present to the richness of their folk, discovering it in a new sound.
The musical performance of all ensembles will be evaluated by a professional jury – head of the Jazz Music Department of the Jāzeps Vītolas Latvian Academy of Music, jazz researcher and musician Indriķis Veitners, Lithuanian composer, percussionist, avant-garde jazz and contemporary music performer Arkadijs Gotesmans (Arkadius Gotesman), Latvian contemporary folk music groups Daughter of the nation leader, musician Asnate Rancāne, as well as Jānis Ivanovas Rēzekne Music Secondary School Education Program Music – Jazz and Contemporary Rhythm Music pedagogue and active musician Kalvis Sležis-Zaļkalns.
Participants can apply for the competition until April 14 of this year by filling out the electronic application form and providing all the required information. The questionnaire is available:
More information about the event is available on the homepage of Jānis Ivanovas Rēzekne Music Secondary School www.jirmv.lv and schools Facebook on the page.
