On November 30 th this year, Head of the Department of Rhythmic Music, assistant professor Pranas Kentra, participated in the 4th big band composition competition of young Baltic composers held in Riga. The competition was organized by the Jazeps Vytuolis Latvian Music Academy (JVLMA) together with one of the most prominent Latvian jazz orchestras – the Latvian Radio Big Band (leader Karlis Vanagas). The purpose of this competition is to discover and popularize new, original works for big band and to encourage the creativity of young jazz musicians.
The Evaluation committee consisted of representatives from all three Baltic countries, Norway and Sweden – experienced and well-known musicians and composers Raul Sööt (Estonia), Ēriks Ešenvalds (Latvia), Helge Sunde (Norway), Peteris Danemo (Sweden). Lithuania was represented by the head of the Department of Rhythmic Music, assistant professor Pranas Kentra.
The competition took place in three rounds. Firstly, the jury conducted a preliminary selection. In the semi-final concert held on October 27, 2023, at the Ziedona Hall of the National Library of Latvia, the selected compositions were performed by the joint ensemble of JVLMA, RDKS (Riga Dome Choir School), JMRMV (Jazeps Medins Riga Music Secondary School), Estonia Music and Theatre Academy, Norway University of Science and Technology Music Department, and Stockholm Royal Music College student big band (soloist Aija Vitolina). On November 30 th the Latvian Radio Big Band and Aija Vitolina performed the works of the three finalists in the final of the competition, which took place in the Spikeri concert hall.
“With this unique competition in the Baltic countries, we want to discover unknown talents, enrich the repertoire created for the big band, and strengthen the connections between the young composers themselves,” said Indrikis Veitneris, the initiator of the competition, Head of the JVLMA Jazz Department.
