Art Groups

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.

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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.

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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.

Contact information: 

Artistic director Rasa Gelgotienė – 

Concertmaster Indrė Pinkevičė –  

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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

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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.

Traditional concerts

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.

Awards

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.

Releases

"Oktava“ has released two full lenght albums in the recent years: "Music That Unites Us" (2020) and "Solo su Oktava" (2022).

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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:

Contacts and social media

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Youtube and Spotify!

For more information:

Artistic director and conductor Albinas Kučinskas:  

Concertmaster Donatas Viaževičius:

Gallery

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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

International students of Vilnius university are invited to learn traditional Lithuanian dances with folk music group "Jaunimėlis". 

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 Saulėtekis 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 

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“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: