SLS choirs, dance groups and other public organizations.
The choral singing tradition played an important role in maintaining the Latvian identity and national culture both in the DP camps and later in the new home countries. Concerts of Australian Latvian combined choirs are one of the main events in the Australian Latvian Culture Days (Cultural Festival) programme. Choirs have participated and still participate in almost all the most important social and cultural events.
First row middle left – Australian Minister for Immigration Harold Edward Holt with representatives from various nationalities in Sydney around 1951. Private archive
| The first mixed Latvian choir in Sydney was founded in 1949, when post-war Latvian emigrants began to arrive; its conductor was Voldemars Birins. The choir was named the Choir of the Latvian Charitable Society of Australia. From 1950, Janis Puisens assumed the duties of conductor, and from 1951 – Zanis Smiltnieks. The choir participated in the first Australian Latvian Culture Days (AL KD), where they gave a concert in the Sydney Conservatory Hall together with the Skyville Camp Choir. When the Sydney Latvian Society was founded in 1952, the choir changed its name to the Sydney Latvian Society Choir. The choir participated in the 2nd AL KD in Melbourne. From 1953, the conductor of the choir was Voldemars Rullis, in 1975 it merged with the mixed choir of the Evangelical Lutheran Church led by the conductor Haralds Rutups and became the Sydney Latvian mixed choir with more than 80 singers under the leadership of Haralds Rutups until 1993. During its existence, the choir took part in all Cultural Festivals held in Australia (also in New Zealand), participated in June 14 and November 18 commemoration events, concerts in support of the Sydney Latvian House. The choir and its singers participated in individual performances of the Sydney Latvian Theatre. In 1982, the Baltic Committee thanked the Sydney Latvian Mixed Choir for participating in the June 14 deportations commemoration event. The mixed choir ended its activity in 2013. Instead, a new mixed choir was founded in 2014 to participate in the 55th AL KD. |
The Sydney Latvian Male Choir (SLVK) is the oldest male choir outside Latvia
The Sydney Latvian Male Choir (SLVK) is the oldest male choir outside Latvia. Founded in 1956, it was formed when the male double quartet “Imanta” ceased to exist. “Imanta” was active from 1950 to 1956, initially under the direction of Haralds Baltins, then Janis Puisens. Since its foundation the choir has participated in all Australian Latvian Culture Festivals and the most important events of the Sydney Latvian Society. Each year the choir has prepared an annual concert or afternoon of songs, as well as enriched church and parish festival services. The choir has been led by conductors Janis Puisens, Haralds Rutups, Bernards Adijans, Juris Balodis, Daina Jaunberzina. Honourary conductor – Kaspars Svenne.
From 1981 , the conductor and artistic director of the choir was Daina Jaunberzina, and in 2012, Ivars Štubis began conducting. The choir has a wide repertoire, which includes old classics – men’s choir songs, as well as compositions by modern composers.
The choir continues its work under the leadership of Aija Draguna.
Sidnejas Latviešu vīru kora dalībnieka krūšu nozīme.
Sidnejas Latviešu Vīru Koris attēlos.
Activity Overviews of the Sydney Latvian Male Choir 1956 – 2016
Piāniste Mirdza Stūre savā studijā. Latvijas konservatorijas docente līdz 1940. gadam. Fotogrāfs V. Motmillers. LNA
Sidnejas Latviešu Vīru Kora statūti un dziedātās dziesmas. 1958 – 1959. gads.
