VOX JUVENTUTIS

Vox Juventutis

For nearly two decades, the Lithuanian Composers’ Union and the Vilnius Municipality Choir Jauna Muzika have annually invited high school students, music students, and doctoral candidates to participate in the VOX JUVENTUTIS competition for young composers writing choral music. Although the competition has been focused on young composers from the Composition Department since its inception, participants from Poland, Latvia, and Estonia also frequently apply.

This event is one of the most anticipated celebrations of the year for the younger generation of composers and the entire choral music community. It culminates in spring with the final competition concert and the awards ceremony at St. Catherine’s Church in Vilnius. The choir Jauna Muzika is committed to fostering a connection between young composers and the tradition of choral music, offering this competition as a unique opportunity for those inspired by choral art to create a piece for a choir at least once in their lifetime.

Each year, the competition’s theme and requirements for the compositions are announced at the end of autumn or the beginning of winter. A competent five-member jury, appointed by the organisers, selects the laureates without knowing the authors of the pieces, ensuring the most objective evaluation possible. During the final concert, the jury awards the I, II and III prizes, while the audience and the choir vote for their favourites, granting the participants the Choir and Audience Choice Awards. Laureates receive cash prizes and gifts from partners. The choir incorporates the most cherished pieces into its repertoire, and successful examples demonstrate that other choirs in Lithuania and abroad purchase and perform the laureates’ works. The Lithuanian Composers’ Union takes care of publishing the winning compositions.

Photos by Tomas Terekas

The competition is organised by the Lithuanian Composers’ Union and the Vilnius Municipality Choir Jauna Muzika.