Improv Studio is a bunch of incredibly fun, resourceful and playful students, who learn and practice the art of improvisation with their leader - actor and educator Vytautas Kontrimas. Vilnius University Culture Centre founded the project "Theatre improvisation" in 2021 and as of today the Improv group has gained a lot of interest as well as already organized the first ever "Impro Ring" in Vilnius University!
Argentine Tango is a pleasant, improvised dance where you learn to lead and follow your partner. It gives the dancers the chance to dance with anyone they meet, and it's also a great way to socialize – tango takes place in almost every big city and has great communities. The Tango studio has established its home at Vilnius University since the fall season of 2022 and invites everyone who wants to learn this bright dance!
From 2021, Vilnius University Culture Centre invites you to join the musical project "VU Jazz Voices". The collective aims to bring together talented jazz and swing music-loving university people who want to develop their vocal abilities and create a special, spectacular music programs.
Many universities and colleges around the world encourage young people to choose as many genres of music as possible. According to Gintė Jokubaitienė, head of the VU Culture Centre, the idea to offer students a musical project in which they could learn the peculiarities of jazz singing arose after the "Talent Evening" organized by the VU Community Department. "I saw how many really musical, talented people we have at the university. I felt that the possibilities of some voices, timbres of sound would be revealed much better in a jazz singing style. Although most students attend choirs and have their own groups, I think we still have a lot of room for the expansion of musical culture at the university", says G. Jokubaitienė..
Jazz vocal and improvisation teacher, performer Martynas Vilpišauskas was invited to lead the musical project.
Martynas completed his undergraduate studies at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama Academy in London, and obtained a Master's degree in composition at the University of Hertfordshire, England. In the United Kingdom, he directed several different choirs, sang in the a cappella music ensemble VIVE, which won the prestigious Ward Swingle Award, and appeared on BBC television. After returning to Lithuania, he worked for several years at the A. Novikas Jazz School and Vilnius College. Martynas has his own vocal group "SingPhonics" and participates in various electronic music projects.
"Jazz choir is a combination of two of my favorite things. Jazz is the freedom to create, improvise and interpret, while choir is a genre of precise, unified vocal singing. Although I myself have been singing and playing since childhood, I keep discovering something new every day. There are no boundaries in music, and when making music I think it's best to just be in the moment", says M. Vilpišauskas.
Rehearsal time:
On Tuesdays, the conference hall of the Business School (Saulėtekio al. 22) from 7 p.m.
Sundays at the Culture Centre (Čiurlionio St. 21) in the Choir Studio from 4:30 p.m.
Do you have questions about VU Jazz Voices? Write an e-mail:
Ever wanted the feel of the cosmos filling your ears and head and chest? You can experience this by listening to organ music. But what if you could make the music yourself?
The organists of Vilnius University - Vidas and Aušra Pinkevičius - are holding organ playing classes for every interested player. You will be learning in groups and rehearse individually in a pace you prefer and will be guided by professional musicians and educators.
If you're interested, write an email or call:
Vilnius University (VU) Kinetic theatre is guided by choreographer and director Andrius Pulkauninkas (abbr.: A. Pulka) since 1999. Though it’s constantly changing the members and names, it is being faithful to the traditions of physical/visual/non-verbal theater, and thus confusing consciousness of audience with absurd experiments on the stage.
The only recognized theatre form is the absence of form. The only expression of existence is fluidity, because if one can notice the form – it means – the form is already dead. The Kinetic Theatre propagates live improvisations, use of natural effects and elements (fire, clay, peat, sand, etc.), and risk factors (dangerous tools, sharp instruments) as the method to awaken the sleeping audience. The performances take place indoor as well as outdoor. The performances have strong feeling of risk (2 members of the Company work as stuntmen in the cinema production as well), shock and oddity, which creates the general ironical combination of grotesque and absurdity and questions the individual’s peculiarity, personal expression, loneliness, conflict with society, meaninglessness, and emptiness of daily consuming life.
The troupe participates in nontraditional events, art exhibitions, concerts, cinema/video projects, dance/theater festivals. It keeps in contact with the Lithuanian and international contemporary professional dance/theater scene and contemporary movement of mimes. Stating that “there’s no border between professionals and amateurs, it’s only a border between good and bad performance”, they organize alternative festival of interdisciplinary arts Open and workshops inviting people no matter the school they belong to: professionals or amateurs, dance or theater…
VU Kinetic Theatre participated and received the acknowledgement in the number of international festivals covering the geographical range from Europe (Lithuania, Spain, France, Italy, Germany, Sweden, Croatia, Morocco, Georgia, Austria etc.) to Latin America.
In 2023 VU Kinetic Theatre collaborated in creating the joint Lithuanian and Ukrainian theater educational project "Starting Point". During the project, VU students, together with Ukrainian youth, delved into the secrets of theater, discussed the realities of the modern world, and finally, with the help of artists from various fields, turned their experiences into the language of dance. The culmination of the project - dance performance "Starting Point" premiered on the 9th of May 2023.
Contacts
Artistic director: Andrius Pulkauninkas:
Student representative Kotryna Jančauskaitė:
Address: Universiteto g. 3, 01131 Vilnius
Social media:
Gallery
Vilnius University Chamber orchestra was founded in in the autumn of 1979 by the flautist Paulius Bernardas Koncė. The four core members of the present orchestra were inspired by the idea to bring chamber harmonies to the rich cultural life of Vilnius Alma Mater and to build musical bridges between the academia life and the music loving audience from all over the country and Europe. From November 2019 artistic director and conductor - Modestas Jankūnas.
During the past three decades the orchestra maintained its mission and not only became an established part of the musical life of Lithuania, performing in the greatest concert halls of the big cities, as well as small remote villages, but also travelled all the way from Mexico to Moscow drawing its musical horizons further than ever imagined. The orchestra also presented various programmes under some of the most beautiful domes of the churches and cathedrals in Europe, visiting Hague, Geneva, Paris, Sank Petersburg, Riga, Venice, Rome and Valletta in some of its most recent tours.
Furthermore, the orchestra presented several different musical programmes in collaborations with Lithuania’s most famous conductors and soloists, including maestros prof. S.Sondeckis, M.Pitrėnas, M.Barkauskas and enchanting voices of L.Grodnikaitė, A. Krikščiūnaitė, O.Kolobovaitė, J.Gedmintaitė and many others.
Another essential part of orchestra’s creative activity is the continuous cooperation with the academic choirs of Vilnius University, which also gives the opportunities to create the exceptional musical events, such as the performance of W.A.Mozart’s “Requiem” in December of 2012, involving more than 400 singers and musicians sharing the same stage. Finally, the orchestra has always tried to leave a long lasting remark, signifying its musical road and maturity. Therefore the orchestra recorded several compact discs and audio tapes with its most beloved musical pieces.
During the past three decades, the orchestra has not only welcomed plenty of new talented students from Vilnius University which helped the former ensemble grow in its size, but also built up a rich repertoire. Although the orchestra is perhaps best known for its wide and colourful palette of timeless and miraculous baroque masterpieces, years of practice and participation in various interesting cultural projects also brought expressive sounds of romanticism and even intriguing modern musical harmonies created by young composers of the twenty first century. Opening the page of the 40th anniversary of its musical history, Vilnius University Chamber orchestra is still full of creative energy and happy to bring new melodies to its audience.
"Ratilio" is Vilnius University's folklore ensemble with student members coming from all Lithuania's ethnic regions. An exclusive characteristic of youth as well as rapid orientation towards contemporary vicissitudes of life inspires our members' activity. Active and lively, our members come to the ensemble with little understanding of the traditional music, singing and dancing, but with great desire to explore the tradition through the embodiment of its values, which helps them to grasp the subtleties quickly and to represent Lithuanian folklore in Lithuania and beyond.
Songs, dances, and round dances are learned from folklore collections and from compatriots met during folklore expeditions. One can listen to ancient music instruments such as ragai (horns), daudytė, skudučiai (pan-pipes) and kanklės (a type of nine to five-stringed zither). A special part of their program is formed by the archaic Lithuanian folklore genre of multipart harmonious singing the sutartinė (which was added by the UNESCO to the list of intangible cultural heritage in 2010).
Vilnius University Folklore Ensemble "Ratilio" was founded in 1968. Since then many people were members of the ensemble and it now has a huge community of people from various fields who are proud to tell they are part of “Ratilio” family. The ensemble is considered one of the best and most reputed of the folklore ensembles in Lithuania. It is always referred to be the one that is aiming for professionalism and youthfulness in folk music.
Dear EXCHANGE STUDENTS of Vilnius University!
Join our rehearsals where you will learn about Lithuanian culture from within. We will teach you to dance and you can try playing traditional Lithuanian music! We also are very interested in other cultures and would love to hear about yours.
Visit our website and find out more:
Ratilio.lt
Contacts: Milda Ričkutė
Thanks to the Society of Jesus, Vilnius University Drama Theatre was born with the university and has since become an integral part of it. After undergoing many metamorphoses, in 2021, it began a new phase with director Felicija Feiferė.
Today, at Vilnius University Drama Theatre, we bravely deepen our knowledge of the world and ourselves, discovering our boundaries and developing skills that remain forgotten during our studies. Our school of theatrical excellence begins with rehearsals of the basics of choreography and acting, which transcends to university life. The theatricalization of events contributes to our growth. Later, these collected experiences reflect in the performances we create. At the end of Pandemia, we combined science and art in a play based on Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, and later, as if anticipating the coming war, we touched on the pain it causes in Hour 00.
Every year Vilnius University Choir Pro Musica prepares new concert programs and deepens its knowledge of various musical styles. Since its foundation, the choir has presented Renaissance, Baroque, Spanish and American musical programs as well as music of Northern European and Lithuanian modern composers to its audience. The internationally acclaimed choir continually performs in Lithuania and abroad; it has given concerts in Spain, Italy, Russia, the Ukraine, Cuba, Mexico, Georgia, Belgium, Germany, Norway and the USA.
Founded in April 2004, the choir boasts a repertoire of vivacious pieces from different epochs as well as large works, e. g. W. A. Mozart’s Requiem (performed by the choir in the USA in 2008), P. Tchaikovsky’s Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom and one of the most grandiose classical pieces – G. Verdi’s Requiem, which was performed by Pro Musica in Germany and Denmark together with local singers during 2011.
One will also find in the repertoire of the choir such rarely performed works as Missa Criolla by Ariel Ramirez, which was presented to the Lithuanian audience for the first time in 2006, and A Mass for Peace by K. Jenkins, performed in 2009.
Rasa Gelgotiene – Artistic Director and the main conductor
Rasa Gelgotiene graduated the art gymnasium of M. K. Ciurlionis and Music Academy of Lithuania (LMA) and then did an internship at the conducting class of Prof. A.Michailov in the Conservatoire of St. Petersburg. Still being a student, she started working as a concert master at LMA and as a choir master at Children’s Choir of Radio and TV of Lithuania. In 1982 Rasa Gelgotiene started to work with the women’s choir of the University of Vilnius “Virgo” and in 1995 she was asked to take the lead for the Academic Choir of the University of Vilnius. After establishment of the choir “Pro Musica” in 2004, Rasa Gelgotiene has been leading three choirs of the University of Vilnius, where nearly 200 people sing – students and graduates.
Leading three choirs, Rasa Gelgotiene achieved great developments while winning prize places in more than 30 international and national competitions and participating in over 50 international festivals. Listeners from twenty-five European countries as well as in USA, Canada, Mexico, Argentina, Cuba, Japan and other nations have listened to choirs conducted by her.
Rasa Gelgotiene has recorded 10 albums and created arrangements for over 30 music pieces. She is a presiding member of the Union of Lithuanian Choirs, member of creative groups for Song Festivals, conductor of World Lithuanian Song Festivals and Baltic Students Song and Dance Festivals Gaudeamus and is an expert-consultant of choirs in Alytus district. Rasa Gelgotiene shares her long experience giving lectures of choir mastership at the Music Academy of Lithuania.
Vilnius University women’s choir "Virgo" was found in 1980 and at present has more than 60 members, who are both students and alumni of various faculties.
"Virgo" repertoire is composed of a mix of music pieces from various periods – from Renaissance polyphony to contemporary music composed by Lithuanian composers.
"Virgo" is one of the most acknowledged women’s choirs in Lithuania – it is a laureate of International Stasys Šimkus competition and a winner of the “Golden Bird” in the “International star” category. Abroad "Virgo" has won Neuchatel (Switzerland), Cantonigros (Spain), Middlesbrough (Great Britain) and other competitions. Overall the choir has won more than 12 international competitions and has participated in at least 50 international festivals.
In 2013 "Virgo" was recognised as the best women’s choir in Lithuania.
"Virgo" constantly holds concerts not only in Lithuania, but in foreign countries, too. It has been in more than20 countries. The choir has held concerts in USA, Canada, Cuba, Brazil, Argentina, and Mexico. "Virgo" has performed in such famous concert halls as “Auditorium Stravinsky” (Montreux, Switzerland), “Palau de la Musica” (Valencia, Spain), “Academia Santa Cecilia” (Rome, Italy), Basilica of Santa Maria del Popolo (Rome, Italy), Basilica of St. Agostino (Rome, Italy), church of St. Magdalene (Paris, France), The Olympic Centre (Tokyo, Japan), and the theatre Juiz de For a (Brazil).
"Virgo" has released 6 CDs. The newest CD, released in 2013, includes works of B. Britten, P. Poulenc and B. Chilcott. All of the pieces are known for their rich and colourful organ parts.
From 1981 "Virgo" is led by Rasa Gelgotienė, who has graduated from the National M. K. Čiurlionis School of Art and was an intern in Avenir’s Micailov’s class in the Rimsky-Korsakov St. Petersburg State Conservatory. Rasa Gelgotienė is also the director of music in Vilnius University choirs “Gaudeamus” and “Pro Musica”.
Three choir teachers (concertmasters) work with "Virgo" – Indrė Veličkaitė, Raminta Gocentienė, and Rita Kraucevičiūtė.
Vilnius University Song and Dance Ensemble is a well-known collective in Lithuania. It became famous for reconciling innovative and archaic elements.
Ensemble was found in January of 1940. It started as a group of 16 dancers, but since then it has grown to a big company of artists, combining more than 50 dancers, musicians and singers. For all of them ensemble is their leisure and pleasure, a second family, where they gather together after long lectures, work or exhausting exam sessions. All dancers, musicians and singers know how to live an interesting life. All members plan and combine their studies and free – time successfully. They enrich ensemble of Vilnius University with their youthful energy and sincerity.
A performance starts… Songs, music, dances, high spirits… There is a group of young people on the stage, who love and cherish Lithuanian folk art. Lyric or humoristic dances, cheerful songs and subtle melodies always amaze audience. The inimitable, charming and magic spirits of the performers do not leave the public indifferent. Every piece of a program is always followed by long and sincere applause of the audience. The program of Vilnius University Ensemble is colorful and interesting. It includes unique wedding traditions and merry – making, serious dances of hard work, small episodes of Lithuanian festivals and moments of joy. All that, together with sincere smiles, high fulfillment techniques and unique Lithuanian culture creates unforgettable and marvelous performance on the stage.
Ensemble’s late leader V. Aleksandravičius said: “By appreciating Lithuanian folk art, we also create a new form, a new content for it. Ensemble‘s artistic direction and performances are composed of traditional and modern “language“”.
This year Ensemble of Vilnius University celebrates its 75 anniversary. During those years ensemble has gained victories in competitions of amateur artistic work, deserved the names of laureates in different reviews, participated in the number of concerts and festivals in Lithuania and all over the world.
No matter what part of the world Vilnius University ensemble performs at, it always leaves a small but very bright and unforgettable part of Lithuanian culture there.
Song and Dance Ensemble rehearses:
Vilniaus universiteto Kultūros centras (Vilnius University Centre of Culture)
M. K. Čiurlionio g. 21, LT-03101 Vilnius
Contacts:
Artistic director:
Eugenijus Čiplys
e-mail:
tel. +370 698 45352
Dance group leaders:
Albertas Švelginas
e-mail
tel. +370 612 93493
Roberta Leščinskaitė
e-mail
tel. +370 650 21737
Choir leader:
Dovilė Mačiukaitė
e-mail
tel. +370 685 74146
Orchestra leader:
Virginija Alenskienė
e-mail
tel. +370 685 83001
Chairwoman of the Ensemble Council:
Laura Dičiūnaitė
e-mail
tel. +370 657 70988
Vilnius University (VU) Orchestra "Oktava" was founded in 1951 and has existed for more than 70 years. For more than 25 years maestro Albinas Kučinskas has been the conductor of the orchestra and his ability to ignite love for music and gather young musicians from all around Lithuania fascinates the music community of the country. Through all these years, as one generation of the orchestra replaced another, "Oktava" has managed to survive and has reached the highest notes in many concerts in Lithuania and abroad.
The members of the orchestra share love for various musical genres and performing live. The band’s repertoire includes such genres as jazz, classical, soul, funk, rock, pop and march music. Playing in the orchestra allows young musicians to introduce themselves to both the songs that have garnered worldwide acclaim and with modern, lesser known contemporary pieces. Among the foreign composers that are included in the repertoire are the music by George Gershwin, John Miles, Benny Goodman, Igor Stravinsky, Irving Berlin, John Williams, Philip Sparke, Randy Newman, Sammy Nestico, Maynard Ferguson and John Barry, as well as pieces by Lithuanian composers, such as Kazys Daugėla, Valdas Stanaitis, Linas Rupšlaukis and others.
The versatility and wide repertoire are one of the strengths of "Oktava" since it allows the orchestra to perform in different kinds of events, popularize various musical genres, provide activities for the youth and introduce the colourful and diverse culture of wind instruments to musicians themselves.
In 1984 a choreographical group (leader T. Gritėnienė) was established and until now it participates with the orchestra and livens the performances in grand concerts, marching events and celebrations. Today the choreographical group specializes in Lindyhop dancing.
The backbone of the orchestra consists of Vilnius University students: future medics, physicists, psychologists, journalists, chemists, geneticists, biologists, economists, programmers and others. Alumni of the university, children who attend music schools, exchange students - all willingly join the music community of more than 60 members, and every one of them finds like-minded people and friends for life, some even find their significant other.
Each year the orchestra holds concerts which have already become a tradition. The playful concert "Oktalėdos" (OKTAVA (octave) + KALĖDOS (Christmas) = OKTALĖDOS), meant to celebrate the festive season, surprises the audience with charming jazz melodies, numerous pieces and performances by soloists. The repertoire of "Orkestral Fantasy: Ode to the Spring" is often full of grand and sacred music. This concert roars in St. John’s Church predicting the revival of spring after the winter. In the end of the spring the orchestra performs its third large concert - a colourful journey through the musical treasuries of various countries and cultures, soundtracks of movies and musicals. The concert focuses on the performances by soloists together with the orchestra.
Also, each year multiple smaller, but nevertheless equally important concerts take place where "Oktava" plays an important part. The orchestra performs in many annual Vilnius University events, such as: "Renovatio Studiorum" - the celebration ceremony of the new study year, raising of the Vilnius University flag on September 1, the procession, where the members of the orchestra march in front of the whole VU community, leading them to the citadel of science – Vilnius University. The orchestra also participates in Vilnius University’s solemn Diploma Award Ceremonies and "Finis Anni Academici" event, which marks the end of the study year and many other events.
"Oktava" is also a part of the larger cultural scene in Vilnius: the orchestra performs annually in the city’s festivals "Capital Days" and "Culture Night"; to commemorate the St. Casimir’s Day, "Oktava", together with Order of Saint Casimir (Ordi Sancti Casimiri), presents the residents and guests of the city with the concert "Laudate Sancti Casimiri".
Musicians pass a significant part of their summers preparing for and participating in Song Festival, various wind band festivals, such as "Atataria vamzdžiai" in Trakai or "Dūdų vasara" in Panevėžys. The orchestra has also participated in the Lithuanian National Radio and Television Project "Vario audra" ("Brass Storm") and reached its final stage. The band not only showcased superb musicianship, but, together with vocalists Česlovas Gabalis and Edgaras Lubys, dazzled the audiences with great dance moves, showmanship and live performances
The players of Oktava spend their days rehearsing and learning new pieces, performing in concerts, and, of course, interacting with friends, who are similarly crazy about music.
"Oktava" is often invited to play in other countries as well. One of the most memorable concert took place in Luxembourg Cathedral where the orchestra played solo compositions and accompanied for two Vilnius university choirs "Gaudeamus" and “Pro Musica“ performing sacral music. In September, 2014 "Oktava" received a prize for "The best artistic performance" in the "International Youth Orchestra Festival", Poland. The orchestra organized concert tours to Latvia, Estonia, Poland, Germany, Czech Republic and is preparing for new trips around Europe.
2014 – "Oktava" received a prize for "The best artistic performance" in the "International Youth Orchestra Festival", Poland.
2016 – "Oktava" won the 1st place at the festival "Veju Ritmi" in Liepoja, Latvia.
2017 – "Oktava" won the 1st place at the festival in Pulawy, Poland, and Maestro Albinas Kučinskas was awarded the Best Conductor award.
2022 – Maestro Albinas Kučinskas was awarded the Badge of Honour by the Republic of Lithuania Ministry of Education, Science and Sport for his pedagogical work.
2023 – "Oktava" and its band leader Albinas Kučinskas were granted Lithuanian National Culture Centre award "Aukso paukštė" for the best amateur wind orchestra ant its band leader of 2022.
"Oktava“ has released two full lenght albums in the recent years: "Music That Unites Us" (2020) and "Solo su Oktava" (2022).
Vilnius University students are welcome to join us as are Erasmus students. We always appreciate talented musicians who love music and play one of these instruments: saxophone, flute, clarinet, trombone, euphonium, trumpet, tuba, drums, electric guitar, bass, percussion or keyboard. Singers are welcome as well. Auditions take place throughout the Academic year.
For more information, please contact concertmaster Donatas Viaževičius:
Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Youtube and Spotify!
For more information:
Artistic director and conductor Albinas Kučinskas:
Concertmaster Donatas Viaževičius:
Vilnius University folk music group "Jaunimėlis" has been counting for more than a decade. The ensemble was founded in 1971 and still brings enthusiasts of Lithuanian folk art to dance, sing and nurture the values of traditional art together. The folk music group organizes concerts not only in various cities of Lithuania, but also represents the name of Vilnius University in many events and competitions in Lithuania and abroad successfully – Baltic song festival “Dainų šventė”, “Grok Jurgeli“, “Linksmoji armonika“, “Trakų pilis“, “Dzūkelis“, “Gaida“, “Universitas Vilnensis“, “Gaudeamus“.
“Jaunimėlis” has expanded the geography of its activities all over the world. Since the beginning the folk music group has visited more than 10 countries – USA, Germany, Finland, Russia, Ukraine, Georgia, Moldova, Belarus, Czech Republic, Poland, Italy, Netherlands, Turkey, FYR of Macedonia, Belgium and Uzbekistan. With such a list of places visited, awards and various recognitions have appeared.
In 2001 and 2003 at the Republican Folk Musicians' Festival "Linksmoji armonika", the ensemble received a special prize for the best and most professional folk music group. Also, the “Jaunimėlis” was nominated for one of the most prestigious awards in the „Aukso paukšte“ competition for the best folk music ensemble and conductor in 2012. During almost 50 years of activity, Vilnius University folk music ensemble "Jaunimėlis" had many professional leaders, who have formed the identity of the ensemble - "to be proud to be Lithuanian".
Currently, the traditions of the ensemble are maintained and conducted by the long-term artistic director of the ensemble Bronislovas Glovickis and the head of the dance group, choreographer Gabrielė Kulienė. Follow us on social media: facebook.com/vujaunimelis, instagram.com/vujaunimelis
You will get introduced with traditional dances and culture of Lithuania, you will have an opportunity to perform in various concerts and participate in annual camp of folk music group "Jaunimėlis".
Lessons will be held by Gabrielė Kulienė.
Dance lessons will be on Tuesdays, 5 PM-6.30 PM, in Sauletekis ave. 9, The Faculty of Law and the Faculty of Communications (in the basement of joint building) Having problems to find? Contact dance group leader Gabrielė Kulienė before the lesson and she will meet you.
For more information contact dance group leader Gabrielė Kulienė e-mail , phone +37062203849
“Gaudeamus” is a mixed academic choir situated in Vilnius University. It is one of the oldest and most notable student choirs from Lithuania and the choir was established in 1940. The choir “Gaudeamus” was created by Konradas Kaveckas who was a choir leader, educator, composer, an organist and all around cultural figure in Lithuania. Later on this Vilnius University choir was run by many notable Lithuanian choir leaders: P. Silžys, P. Gylys, B. Jankauskas, R. Zdanavičius, J. Kalcas and now it is run by Rasa Gelgotienė who took the role of the choir leader in 1995.
“Gaudeamus” choir frequently participates in Lithuanian and international festivals and contests, solemn events of Vilnius University. Sings in events like “Lithuanian Song and Dance festival”, Baltic State student festivals “Gaudeamus” and “Juventus”, participates in projects organised by Lithuanian Musicians’ Union and projects ran by municipalities of Vilnius, Panevėžys, Šiauliai, Marijampolė and other cities of Lithuania. In 1993 the choir “Gaudeamus” sang to the Pope John Paul II when he visited Lithuania.
On 2012 December 8th choir “Gaudeamus” with other two Vilnius University choirs “Pro Musica” and “Virgo” organised a completely new project called “Classic for All” that had no similar analogues in Lithuania or Europe. The choirs of Vilnius University invited everybody who is familiar and can sing out of the note sheets to sing a classical song. More than 400 singers gathered to sing W.A.Mozart’s “Requiem” in Saint John’s church that is situated in the centre of Vilnius.
In 2013 when Lithuania was leading the council of EU the choir actively participated in events around the world showing the culture of Lithuania. “Gaudeamus” sang a musical programme consisting of only Lithuanian music in various countries of Europe.
The choir visited a lot of European countries, Kazakhstan, Turkey, Mexico, Cuba and USA by actively touring, participating in festivals, competitions or just in order to show the Lithuanian music to the world. “Gaudeamus” has won a couple Lithuanian and international competitions, released CD’s with music created by classical and Lithuanian composers. In 2007 the choir got an award called “Aukso Paukštė“ which is given to the best of the best in Lithuania and in 2013 won 3rd place in the IX International Competition of Mixed Academic Choirs “Juventus”.
Choir leader Rasa Gelgotienė
Choirmasters: Ignas Garla, Deividas Kukta and Nerijus Masevičius
VU Drama Theatre rehearses and performs at Vilnius University Theatre Hall (Universiteto g. 3)
Drama Theatre e-mail:
VU Drama Theatre artistic director Felicija Feiferė e-mail:
Student representative Monika Wołyniec e-mail:
(+370) 617 88017
