Student Chamber Orchestra "Gaudeamus Orchestra"

CV of Chamber Orchestra
The Conductor
Goal and Objectives
Concert Activity
Solo Singers and Cooperation Partners
Repertoire
Discography

CV of Chamber Orchestra

The beginning of RTTEMA chamber orchestra dates back to the foundation of Music Faculty of RTTEMA on the basis of the Music Department of Riga Institute of Teachers in 1994. The chamber orchestra was founded in 1995 together with the introduction of the study program Teacher of Instrument Playing. J.Kaijaks, the associate professor and head of the Department of Orchestral and Folk instruments at that time delegated the leadership of the orchestra to a young conductor, Guntars Bernats. Mag.art. Guntars Bernats is the artistic director of the orchestra since 1995.

The Conductor

The creative activity of the conductor of the orchestra Guntars Bernats is connected with well-known establishments in Latvia – conductor of Riga Musical Theatre (1994-1996), successful work in the preparation of Latvian National Opera ballet shows and opera “Notre Dam de Paris” by Z.Liepins (1996 – 2000). Since 1998, the conductor was on internship at the Ukraine National Music Academy (UNMA) with prof. R.Hofmann. In 1999 – work with the UNMA student symphonic orchestra, in the autumn of 2000 – work at the UNMA Opera studio, in 2001 – creative cooperation with the Ukraine State Philharmonic Chamber orchestra.
Alongside with the studies at the UNMA, concerts together with Latvian National Symphonic orchestra were given performing symphonic concert courses – Music for Youth and Sunday symphonic concerts for children and parents. A Master’s degree in conducting symphonic orchestra has been conferred by Latvian Academy of Music in 2001.
In 2000, creative cooperation with Rezekne symphonic orchestra began – expanded form compositions such as W.A.Mozart Requiem, G.Fore Requiem, Pergolezi Stabat mater, as well asbig form opera music programmes.
In 2004, thanks to the grant allocated by the Nordic Council of Ministers, the cross-border cultural project between Latvia and Norway “Bridge of Music” was implemented in cooperation with Rezekne music school and Dalske gymnasium.

17 full time and part time students of the study program Music Teacher and graduates of the Academy are playing in the chamber orchestra. With the extension of the repertoire, the brass group is also invited to join the orchestra.
Initially, the aims of the orchestra were more connected with the study process, the annual reporting concerts of the department and representation of the Academy (the exhibitions “School” – 1998, 1999, 2000.). Beginning with the study year 2001/2002, when Guntars Bernats was entrusted to head the Department of Orchestral and Folk instruments of the Faculty of Music of RTTEMA, the concert activities of the orchestra were becoming more active as well as participation in various concerts not only in Riga, but also in Latvia.

Goal and Objectives

To activate the understanding of classical music values among the youth and to make a contribution in its popularization.

• To carry out the orchestra practice intended for the students of the specialization of Teacher of Instrument Playing on a professionally high level;
• To give its own interpretation of classical music compositions;
• To attract attention of the general public to the professional concert activities of the Academy’s chamber orchestra and soloists, by performing not only in the events organized by the Academy, but also giving concerts at prestige state concert halls and participating in international festivals;
• To motivate the active playing of music among the students of the state music schools, music secondary schools and schools with specialization in music, and to popularize academic music among the peers;
• To create interest in the possibilities to study at the RTTEMA study program Music Teacher.

In the study year 2004/2005, the chamber orchestra has been given the status of the academy collective and further on it will bear the name GAUDEAMUS ORCHESTRA.
The orchestra received a new opportunity to extend the scope of international activities: it had been invited to get engaged into the association of chamber choirs of the European Union.
The orchestra is planning a tour in England in the near future.

Concert Activity

1999

• Concert We in Music in Jurmala, Concert hall Dzintari, October 5.
• Christmas concert in Saldus St.John’s Church, December 19.

2000

• Orchestra Promenade concerts in the Festivity hall of the Blackheads’ house, June 5.

2001

• A.Vivaldi Gloria together with the chamber choir Fortius in the Concert hall AVE SOL, December 18.

2002

• Christmas concert for the Association of Family doctors in Vagnera hall, January 18.
• Multimedia project Saint-SaénsGreat Zoological Imagination “Carnival of the animals” in the Concert hall AVE SOL, 5 May, Riga music school No.5, September 18, Latvia University Big Hall

2003

• Classical music project - concert “Making music together” with Riga music school No.5 students, RTTEMA

2004

• Concert “ Making music together” during XIII International Early Music Festival in Valmiera, January 9.
• Participation of the Chamber Orchestra in the jubilee concert of conductor M.Brazovska in the Latvia University Big hall, February 16.
• Event organized by T.Reiter Foundation in the Festivity hall of Latvian Society House,March 26.
• Concert in the Festivity hall of the Blackheads’ house. Soloist - M.Zagars, April 4.
• Musical performance Dress rehearsal of the Opera troupe in the Concert hall AVE SOL, June 18,Concert hall Dzintari, August 26.
• RTTEMA 10th anniversary concert in the Festivity hall of Latvian Society House, 12 September.
• 15th anniversary concert of the mixed choir of Latvian Society House, November 28.
• Christmas concert in St.Peter’s Church (in cooperation with the choirs lead by conductor A.Skepasts), December 25.

2005

• Concert in the Festivity hall of the Blackheads’ house. Soloist – M. Beitans(violoncello), March 23.
• CD Concert in the Festivity hall of the Blackheads’ house presentation and concert in the Concert hall Arhitektu namsApril 5
• Musical performance Viva l operetta in the Concert hall Dzintari, June 11.

Solo Singers and Cooperation Partners

The repertoire of the chamber orchestra has to a large extent been developed in cooperation with soloists of different age and experience:

• RTTEMA Music Teacher program undergraduate and graduate students, and graduates – instrumentalists and singers;
• Riga music school No.5 students – pianists, cellists, flutists;
• Professional artists – violin players A.Baumanis and L.Piese, Latvian National Opera soloists K.Sarzants, G.Vetra, vocalists of Concert association SOLO – R.Rusko, A.Rurane, E.Orlova, J.Aladins, A.Lapiņs, E.Cudakovs;

Expanded form compositions have been performed together with:

• RTTEMA chamber choir Fortius (conductor M.Marnauza)
• Chamber choir Parts (conductor I.Teterovskis)
• Agenskalns State gymnasium choir (conductor M.Brazovska)
• Latvian Society House mixed choir (conductor A.Skepasts)

Repertoire

Instrumental concerts:
Vivaldi, Telemann, Cimaroza, J.S.Bach, F.E.Bach, J.K.Bach, Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, Saint-Saéns, Genin, Weber, Altmanis
Expanded form compositions:
J.S.Bach, Mozart, Haydn, Persel, Vivaldi, Corelli, Respighi, Schubert, Gounoud, Britten, Saint-Saéns, Vitols
Orchestra miniatures:
Pachelbel, Persel, Haydn, Schubert, Strauss, Tshaikowsky, Medins, Baumanu Karlis, Kalnins, Kenins, G.Gershwin, Penderecky, Pärt, Kalnins, Kaijaks, Leroy Anderson

Opera music programs:
Mozart, Donizetti, Verdi, Bizet, Puccini, Offenbach

Discography

• Audio casette We in Music. Recorded in Latvian Radio Studio in April 1999.
• CD L.van Beethoven 3rd Piano Concerto. Soloist – M.Žagars. Concert recorded at Festivity hall of the Blackheads’ house in 4 April 2004.
• Musical performance Dress rehearsal of the Opera troupe. Concert .recorded at Dzintari Concert hall in 26 August 2004.
• CD Concert in the Festivity hall of the Blackheads’ house 2005.