We are inspired by pine tree forest air and wild sea, sunny happiness in our eyes and our never-ending energy. The place where we come from unites us…
Saulkrasti Mixed Choir ANIMA was founded in 30th of November in 2001. The conductor is Laura Leontjeva and the vocal coach is Elīna Ose. Choir's ANIMA characteristic trait is its ability to be in constant movement and change – we are not afraid to experiment with performances, styles and characters and that’s why the repertoire is so varied – folk music, classical music, and popular music.
We are proud that Uģis Prauliņš, Kristaps Krievkalns, Laima Jansone, Edgars Beļickis, Platons Buravickis and Mārtiņš Miļevskis have composed pieces especially for ANIMA.
Latest musical events and performances
- Latvian Independence Day concerts with Kristaps Krievkalns Music group (November 2022).
- Concert and recording for the TV show “LIVE STAGE IN OGRE” with Kuolm randõ/Three shores and Kristaps Krievkalns Music group (October 2022).
- Participation in the serie of concerts celebrating the 70th anniversary of the well-known Latvian composer Zigmars Liepins and performing his music for film and theater (October 2022).
- Concert show “The Call of Livonians” during the Livonian heritage Days in Ventspils (October 2022).
- Participation as special guest in the serie of concerts “Glezna” (The Painting) with composer and singer Mārtiņš Kanters (September 2022).
- Participation in the Latvian Song and Dance Festival (XV Vispārējie latviešu dziesmu & deju svētki ASV), (Summer 2022):
- Opening concert featuring music by world-renowned choral composer Ēriks Ešenvalds with Magnum Chorum from the Twin Cities
- Concert show “Enchanted by the Sea” at the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts
- Masterclass with the composer Ēriks Ešenvalds
- Festival’s Gala concert
- Great Music Award, 2021, Public Sympathy for the concert-show “Enchanted by the Sea” (2022).
- Latvian Events Forum Excellence Award – the best event in Vidzeme region in 2021, for the concert-show “Enchanted by the Sea” (2022).
- Concert film “Enchanted by the Sea” – nomination for the Record of the Year “Zelta Mikrofons” in the category “Concert Record of the Year” (2022).
- Recording the song by R. Pauls, J. Peters “Pacel galvu, Baltā māt”, video version together with maestro Raimonds Pauls (2022).
- Participation in the concert to celebrate the anniversary of the legendary singer Margarita Vilcāne "Margarita. Melodija. Mode" (Margarita. Melody. Fashion) in the Great Guild (2022).
- Concert programme “SACRED JAZZ” devoted to the music of the legendary composer Duke Ellington (2022).
- The soundtrack for the multi-media dance performance “Latvju zīmēs rotāties” together with the bagpipe and drum music group “Auļi” (2022).
- Participation in world music festival PORTA (2021) together with the Faroese singer-songwriter Eivør.
- Recording the album, concert-show and concert film “Enchanted by the Sea” (2021).
- The soundtrack for the latest version of Raimonds Pauls and Jānis Peters musical play "Māsa Kerija" (Sister Kerry), directed by Valdis Lūriņš, in collaboration with Kristaps Krievkalns big band (2019).
- Recording the album JŪRD/SAKNES/ROOTS, accompanied by professional musicians (2018).
- Participation in world music festival PORTA (2018) together with British and Scottish folk singer Sam Lee.
- Participation in traditional Latvian Dance and Song festival, the best choir competition and Folk music concert "Visas manas greznas dziesmas" (All my beautiful songs) (2018).
- The concert-show "Sirdsbalss" (Voice of Heart) (2016/2017) in collaboration with choreographer Jānis Purviņš and composers Raimonds Tiguls and Kristaps Krievkalns (performed in 56th Australian-Latvian Culture days in Melbourne and Sydney).
- The concert-show "Saules krastos" (On the Sunny Coast) (2015) in collaboration with composer and kokle player Laima Jansone, folk singer Julgī Stalte, composer Edgars Beļickis and producer Uģis Brikmanis.
- Participation in choir competitions in Hungary, Italy, Austria, Germany, Norway and Czech Republic.
Saulkrasti Mixed Choir ANIMA yields to vitality and versatility, both within themselves and in music, and enjoys facing new musical challenges thus crossing the boundaries of habitual and enjoying to make the world around colourful.
Over time the choir ANIMA has been conducted by Artūrs Ancāns, Mārcis Imants, Jānis Misiņš, Kārlis Rūtentāls, Matīss Tučs.
