Ventspils Music High School percussionist Edgars Zaurs won the second place, Jānis Rinkulis, a cellist from the Emīlas Dārziņas Music School, won the third place.
On the other hand, Rainers Liekniņš, a cellist from the Emīlas Dārziņš Music School, won the fourth place and the opportunity to play with the Liepāja Symphony Orchestra (LSO).
Special prizes were also presented. The United Arab Emirates Embassy Sympathy Award went to LMMDV flutist Sandy Ance Edelman.
Architect Gundars Vīksnas Liepaja prize was won by LMMDV trombonist Dāvis Matīss Leišavnieks.
All winners of the first three places will receive professionally prepared publicity materials with a video of a concert with the symphony orchestra and a special photo session.
“There is real joy and excitement after the successfully held competition, which has turned into a new quality this year and has become a Latvia-wide competition, acquiring the name of conductor and former school director Valdas Vikmanis.
The performance of all contestants was outstanding,
but this unique opportunity to play music with the LSO at the opening concert of the 31st Liepāja International Festival of Stars was won by clarinetist Anna Marija Kubecka, percussionist Edgars Zaurs, cellist Jānis Rinkulis, cellist Rainers Liekniņš and flutist Sandija Ance Edelmane,” shared the emotions of LMMDV’s Education Methodist for music education programs Kristīne Varažinska .
Conductor and clarinetist Guntis Kuzma, violinist Kristīne Balanas, percussionist Guntars Freibergs, pianist Sana Villeruša and vocalist Ilze Grevele-Skaraine served on the competition jury.
LSO chief conductor Guntis Kuzma: “I am extremely happy that new stars will shine at our festival, the enthusiasm of youth will enter and both the orchestra and the audience will experience a wonderful musical journey.
The conditions of the competition always tickle the nerves and offer surprises, this time too it was so difficult to evaluate, because each young talent had such a unique spark that could guarantee the honor of the laureate. Purely emotionally, I would like to give first place to everyone, but there are as many award places as there are.”
