In order to express a common vision of the current challenges, future development and necessary changes of the academic professional music environment of Latvia, professional collectives of Latvian academic music and the Jāzeps Vītols Academy of Music of Latvia have agreed on the establishment of a joint Association of Latvian Professional Music Collectives. The goals of such an initiative are related to the need to update and, in close cooperation with the Ministry of Culture, to solve the current challenges of academic music collectives, as well as to represent the interests of academic music in national and international institutions for the full-fledged operation and development of the music industry and professional education.

 

At the moment when the light can be felt at the end of the tunnel of the decades-long epic of the National Concert Hall, it is important to realize what cultural content we will be able to provide to future generations of listeners. Both here in Latvia and in many places in Europe and the world, it is well known what high-class musicians the Latvian music education system has been able to produce for decades. It is with pride, but at the same time with some envy, that we have to conclude that a large number of our excellent musicians are joining the ranks of other countries' orchestras today and promoting the cultural wealth and uniqueness of other nations. Vineta Sareika and Gunārs Upatnieks play music in the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, Amanda Tauriņa and Matīss Eisaks in the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra, Ilze Kļava and Liene Kļava play in the Bergen Symphony Orchestra, Santa Vižine in the Amsterdam Concertgebouw Orchestra... This list could be continued for a long time. All these musicians were born, grew up and studied in Latvia, they are our pride and prove Latvia's ability to prepare musicians of the highest quality.

 

The goal of the family of Latvian professional music collectives is to create an internationally competitive work and educational environment in order to experience a positive development scenario in the foreseeable future - the return of our outstanding artists, or, perhaps above all, the retention of young talents in Latvia. That is why, from the point of view of the Association of Professional Music Collectives of Latvia, it is necessary to identify and solve the issues of musicians' working conditions and remuneration, as well as to initiate changes in the professional music education system, strengthening the talent forge - the Jāzeps Vītols Academy of Music of Latvia. The Association has presented the Minister of Culture and the Ministry of Culture with its operational goals and the parties have agreed on close partnership and cooperation in solving challenges.

 

The founding document of the association was signed by the following professional collectives and institutions: Jāzeps Vītols Academy of Music of Latvia, "Kremerata Baltica", three collectives represented by SLLC "Latvijas koncerti" - State Chamber Orchestra "Sinfonietta Rīga", Latvian Radio Choir and Latvian Radio Big Band, Latvian National Symphony Orchestra, Latvian National Opera and Ballet (representing orchestra, choir, ballet troupe and soloists), Liepāja Symphony Orchestra and State Academic Choir "Latvija".