The first Latvian male choir association “Dziedonis” is founded on January 23, 1924, but the Riga male choir “Dziedonis” starts the choir’s performance on April 27, 1924, when 23 singers performed Alfreds Kalniņš’s “Who Are These Men of Power” under the guidance of conductor Jānis Sieriņš .
During the Second World War, the choral activity was disrupted. Thanks to Harald Mednis and long-standing singers in 1947, attempts were made for the first rehearsal after the war.
From 1950 to 1953 choir “Dziedonis” was united with the LU Men’s Choir, but in 1953, the choir was divided into two parts, creating a male choir “Dziedonis” and choir “Tēvzeme”.
In September 1955, a new conductor named Imants Kokars started his creative co-operation with male choir “Dziedonis”. 35 years in the history of the choir is together with Imants Kokars, with the artistic growth of the choir and brilliant achievements, victories in choir wars in Latvia and international competitions.
From 1991 to 1992 Roberts Liepiņš and Vilmārs Vasulis took over the artistic work of the choir.
From 1993-2003. For this period, two more artistic directors Juris Vaivods and Tālis Veismanis is working with the choir.
In 2004, Roberts Liepiņš reterns and is active chief conductor until 2015, returns.
In 2015, Uldis Kokars becomes the artistic director and with his creative ability he raises the male choir “Dziedonis” to new heights.
CV of the male choir “Dziedonis”
1924 | Establishes the first Latvian male choir association Dziedonis |
1926 | First participation in the Latvian Song Festival |
1944 | 20-year commemorative concert with participation of Liepāja and Jelgava choirs “Dziedonis” |
1947 | First rehearsal after World War II |
1948 | Victory in 10th Latvian Song Festival – Choir Wars |
1950 | Victory in the 11th Latvian Song Festival – Choir Wars |
1951 | Begins to work as a member of the LU Men’s Choir |
1953 | Becomes the male choir of the Central Club of Polygraphs |
1960 | Victory of the 13th Latvian Song Festival – Choir Wars |
1960 | Awarded the honorary title of the People’s Choir |
1965 | Victory of the 14th Latvian Song Festival – Choir Wars |
1967 | Awarded the honorary title of the Latvian SSR Meritorious Choir |
1970 | Victory in 15th Latvian Song Festival – Choir Wars |
1973 | Victory of the 16th Latvian Song Festival – Choir Wars |
1977 | Victory of the 17th Latvian Song Festival – Choir Wars |
1977 | Triple Victory at the International Choir Competition in Gorizia (Italy) |
1980 | Victory of the 18th Latvian Song Festival – Choir Wars |
1984 | 60th Anniversary Concert at P. Stučka LU Hall |
1985 | Victory of 19th Latvian Song Festival – Choir Wars |
1990 | Victory in Choir Competition in Linz, Austria |
1990 | Victory of 20th Latvian Song Festival – Choir Wars |
1991 | Victory in Choir Competition in Arnheim, Holland |
1992 | Victory in Choir Competition in Klaipeda, Lithuania |
1995 | Becomes the male choir of the Faculty of Physics and Mathematics at the University of Latvia. |
2014 | 90th Anniversary Concert at the University of Latvia |
2018 | Victory in 26th Latvian Song Festival – Choir Wars |
Artistic directors
1924–1929 Jānis Sieriņš
1930–1935 Leonīds Vīgners
1937–1939 Sergejs Duks
1940–1952 Haralds Mednis
1953–1954 Edgars Tons
1955–1990 Imants Kokars
1991–1992 Vilmārs Vasulis, Roberts Liepiņš
1993–1998 Juris Vaivods
1999–2003 Tālis Veismanis
2004–2015 Roberts Liepiņš
2015 – Currently Uldis Kokars