The Music of Latvia

How many of you have heard of the country of Latvia?  It sits on the Baltic Sea and is below Estonia and above Lithuania.  It is a small country -- only slightly larger than West Virginia.  However, from that small country comes some of the best choral music in the world.

I discovered Latvia during graduate school, when I did a lecture recital on the music of Imant Raminsh.  In my interview with him, Mr. Raminsh shared with me that he was from the country of Latvia.  As we continued our conversation, he began talking about the important role that folk music -- and music in general -- plays in the Latvian culture.  After talking to him, I decided that if I ever had the chance, I would travel to Latvia.

Well, this week, that chance became a reality.  I was awarded a $10,000 Teacher Creativity grant through the Eli Lilly Endowment fund, and in May, I leave for Riga, Latvia to spend nine weeks immersing myself in the country's choral music tradition.  While there, I will visit the public schools and observe music education classes, I will visit private music schools where thousands of children and adults study privately, I will attend the rehearsals and concerts of some of Latvia's well-known adult choirs, I will interview Latvian choral composers and visit a music publishing house, I will attend worship services and experience worship music in some of the wonderful cathedrals there, and I will attend some folk music festivals.  Last, but certainly not least, I will attend some of the World Choir Games to be held in Riga in July.

Am I excited?  You betcha!  Am I scared?  Darn tootin'!  However, I am confident that my experience there will be one of the most unforgettable times of my life.  If you have never before heard the music of Latvian choirs, I invite you to find some of their music on the Internet and listen to it.  I assure you that the music will be some of the best choral music that you have ever heard and will move you to a higher spiritual place than you have ever been.