LATVIAN VOICES

is an a cappella vocal group from Latvia. With their voices as the only musical instrument girls from Latvian Voices have developed a unique individual vocal style, in which ethnic musical intonations of many nations intertwine. The most significant role in this kaleidoscope is allocated to Latvian folk music supplemented with elements of traditional choir music and popular music. Most of the repertoire is arranged and composed by the members of the group, especially by Laura Jēkabsone. The repertoire of Latvian Voices is wide: Latvian folk songs and original compositions with lyrics from Latvian traditional folklore, examples of Classical music in inventive transcriptions. The concerts are usually enriched with arranged melodies of popular and worldwide known songs as well as modern original compositions by Latvian Voices. Latvian Voices consider their main mission to be the introduction of Latvian culture and especially the musical heritage. Through songs and staging they introduce the listener to Latvian mentality and world-view that is deeply rooted in the mutual relationship between humans and nature. Most of the concerts Latvian Voices give outside Latvia and very often the group represents their country in international representative events. For this reason in 2014 Latvian Voices became the musical ambassadors of Riga2014, European Capital of Culture. Since the founding of the group in year 2009 Latvian Voices have participated in many international music festivals, competitions, workshops and given concert tours across Europe and worldwide. For example: Usedom and Schleswig-Holstein Music Festivals in Germany, workshops with vocal groups The King’s Singers and The Hilliard Ensemble. Very soon after the foundation of the group followed significant success in a cappella competitions: 1st place in category of Classical music and the Audience Favorite Award in International a cappella competition Vocal.Total in Austria; prizewinners of International A Cappella Contest in Leipzig, Germany; overall Champions of the World Choir Games 2012 in Cincinnati, USA. Latvian Voices have given concerts in Italy, Spain, France, Switzerland, Ireland, South Korea, USA, Japan, Australia etc. Throughout their active concert life Latvian Voices have collaborated with various musicians representing different genres. Among them Renārs Kaupers, Da Gamba, Kaspars Zemītis, Intars Busulis, Xylem Trio, Laima Jansone, Ēriks Ešenvalds, DJ RUDD (Latvia), The King's Singers (Great Britain), Lytos (Spain), Katarina Henryson, Peder Karlsson (Sweden), Viva Voce, Norddeutsche Sinfonietta (Germany) etc