About Vilnius University Choir Pro Musica

Every year Vilnius University Choir Pro musica prepares new concert programs and deepens its knowledge of various musical styles. Since its foundation, the choir has presented to the audience Renaissance, Baroque, Spanish and American musical programs as well as these featuring music of northern European and Lithuanian modern composers. The internationally acclaimed choir continually performs in Lithuania, as well as abroad; it has given concerts in Spain, Portugal, Italy, Russia, the Ukraine, Cuba, Mexico, Georgia, Belgium, Germany, Norway, Denmark, Brazil and the USA. Founded in April 2004, the choir boasts a repertoire of vivacious pieces from different epochs as well as such large works as W. A. Mozart’s Requiem (performed by the choir in the USA in 2008), P.Tchaikovsky’s Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom and one of the most grandiose classical pieces – G. Verdi’s Requiem, which was performed by Pro Musica in Germany and Denmark together with local singers in 2011. In the repertoire of the choir one will also find such rarely performed works as Missa Criolla by Ariel Ramirez, which was presented to the Lithuanian audience for the first time in 2006, and A Mass for Peace by K. Jenkins, performed in 2009. Pro musica pays special attention to the Lithuanian music. In April 2009 it gave a joint concert with Professor Vytautas Landsbergis at The Royal Conservatory of Brussels whereby choral and piano works created by the well known Lithuanian composer M. K. Ciurlionis were performed. The event was devoted for the 5th anniversary of Lithuania joining the European Union and Millennium of the name of Lithuania in Europe. The concert recordings are presented both in a CD and DVD. True music lovers, most of Pro musica members are students and alumni of Vilnius University. In addition to weekly rehearsals, they participate in creative choir camps, which are usually dedicated to mastering a certain musical piece or delving into a musical genre. Throughout its history, Pro Musica has received a number of various awards. In 2004 the choir won the third place for the compulsory programme in the international choral competition in Spain. Pro Musica was also awarded with a special prize for the best samba song. In 2005 the work of the choir in Lithuania was appreciated with the nomination of Golden Bird in the category of New Glint Star. This award is given to a young choir for its remarkable achievements in short time of its existence. Pro Musica has recorded four CDs: Music of Nordic and Baltic countries, Missa Criolla by A. Ramirez, Music by the Lithuanian composer M. K. Ciurlionis and Music of Lithuanian modern composers.