Prof. Romans Vanags

Latvia

Romans Vanags (1960) - a graduate of Emils Darzins' specialized music college and of the Department of Choir and Orchestra Conducting of Jazeps Vitols' Latvian State Conservatory in Riga (currently named - Jazeps Vitols' Latvian Academy of Music). He received diploma in choir conducting as well as in music pedagogy. In addition, he was studying also symphonic orchestra conducting. In 2003 he received professional master's degree in music. Romans Vanags' professional work has been connected with conducting and pedagogy. Romans Vanags has been the chief conductor of teachers' choir named "Vanema" for years (1984-2004) and since 1990 he has been the principal conductor of the Latvian University female choir named "Minjona". Since 1987 he has been chief conductor and artistic director of Jāzeps Mediņš Music School boys` choir. In 1990-1993 he worked with Jazeps Medins Music College Symphonic Orchestra. Since 1987 Romans Vanags was employed at the Latvian Music Academy in Riga as professor of choir conducting. He has been the organizer of various courses for conductors in numerous countries around the world and also jury member of many international choral competitions. He has also been appointed as one of the chief conductors of the All Latvian Song Celebration (in 1993, 1998, 2001, 2003, 2008 and 2013) and the Youth Song Festival (in 1995, 2000, 2005 and 2010) as well. Since 2008 he are also council member of World Choir Games (WCG) organisation. Since 2012 prof. Romans Vanags are the artistic director of WCG 2014 in Riga. The choirs conducted by Romans Vanags have won numerous awards at international competitions ( Arezzo, Debrecen, Tour, Varna, Powel River etc.) and made concert tours all over the world.. In 2008 Romans Vanags recieve the highest civil decoration in Latvia – the Three Star Order.