The competition of light and jazz music ensembles “Rhythms of Rojas” is a cherished idea of two pedagogues of the Rojas Music and Art School – Marutas Zemtures and Baibas Beragės – which took place for the eighth time last Friday, April 19. This time, around 200 participants from all over Latvia took part, and the pedagogues appreciate that it is an essential opportunity for young people to gain stage experience.
Ten years ago, the Rojas School of Music and Art opened a free niche in Latvia and started organizing the “Rojas ritmi” competition for light and jazz music ensembles. Currently, it has been steadily gathering more than 200 participants for several years, which is already the maximum number that rowers can accommodate. “It seems to me that it is very important that there are such competitions, so that, first of all, we can have a little look at what other musicians are like in Latvia. Then you can have a little look, compare, what level to work on, you can ask all kinds of other things to other people,” says Henrijs Leijs, a member of the “Combo” ensemble from Liepāja. “It’s such a fantastic experience for a group to play together, feel each other and enjoy playing music together,” said Toms and Emilija, members of “SunSet Band” from Ventspils.
The competition is held in three categories, from duets to large ensembles. The desire to give young people the opportunity to gain experience really works. “For those who already had the opportunity to work here last year, to prove themselves, this year it’s like night and day – they feel very good, they are self-critical… This is very important, and we currently value that as young people, because basically our path is only for them show the direction – they will just have to go themselves. I am lucky to have such students who are free on stage, but we also work on that. We talk about it, that when we are already on stage, then we do the homework that we have prepared. And there’s no point in worrying or thinking about other things,” explains Andris Ločmelis, a teacher at Liepāja Music, Art and Design High School.
This year the competition was held for the eighth time, and you can feel that the level has increased – mainly the sense of responsibility towards the competition. The leaders have already crystallized, but the organizers are also happy about new faces. “We have strong competitors. I don’t know, it’s hard to say. I think that every ensemble has its own passion, and of course we have ours. And I think we showed that very well,” said Tom and Emily. “I think the most important thing is that the person likes the pieces, because of course the music is for the listener, but the first listener is always the musician,” said Henry Lay.
The repertoire is very diverse, from rock to folk songs. Each of the participants performed two pieces, and after the competition, the jury admitted that it was a little more difficult to listen to those whose two works were very similar. “For the next year, let them choose one calmer composition, another faster, so that they can compare how they cope with it,” said Pavel Ignatiev, accordionist, representative of the jury. “What was important for me today, being on the jury, was to hear that the children on stage not only perform music, but they also bring it through their hearts. Of course, we also evaluate technical skills, harmony and attractiveness of the ensemble. Because this is not an academic competition – this is a competition that requires a bit of a show element,” says director of Rojas Music and Art School, jury representative Baiba Beraģe.
The prize-winning places were also won by the rowers themselves, in some categories the participants even won several first places, but the main Grand Prix this time was won by the young musicians from Garkalne. “It was simply perfect – excellent, designed! Budziek’s solo is very good, violins and vocal solo are very good! A very clean performance,” said Pavel Ignatiev.
At the end of the competition, the jury itself took to the performance to thank the young musicians for their hard work. And it looked like the long day didn’t tire them at all, because the performance of the jury managed to get everyone on their feet.
The material was created with the funding of the Media Support Fund from the funds of the Latvian state budget. SIA “TV9 Pakalni” is responsible for the content.
