Daumants Gailis
1927–1991
Conductor, educator
Born 9 February 1927 at the Viduķēsas homestead in Rāmuļi Parish. Studied at Rāmule (1935-1939) and Vaive Elementary Schools (1939-1941), Cēsis No 1 Secondary School and simultaneously at the Cēsis Music School (1941-1946). In Rīga, continued his studies at the Emīls Dārziņš Special Music Secondary School (1946-1948) and at the Conservatory of Latvia, where he studied choir and symphonic orchestra conducting (1948-1953).
While still a student, began an active conductor’s career, directing a number of amateur choirs. From 1951, he conducted the Gaismaspils (Castle of Light) choir of the Latvian Academy of Sciences and the State Academic Choir, originally as choirmaster, then as the second conductor, becoming the choir’s artistic director and principal conductor in 1960. For more than 30 years, he conducted Juventus, the mixed choir of the State University of Latvia (1957-1990), and has for many years directed Valmiera, the Valmiera District mixed choir. His choirs earned laurels in Song-festival choir competitions many times and gained recognition in competitions and foreign tours.
Bringing out the soul of a song has always been Gaile’s ideal. And the singers valued that: “In my long lifetime of choir singing, I have sung with many conductors, but I would not change our Daumants for anyone ... what attracts me most is his subtle interpretation of songs, his inner, not external strength – and that is the key to art.” (Grauzdiņa, Ilma, Izredzētie (The Chosen Few), 2008. p151)
He was a faculty member at the Jāzeps Vītols Latvian State Conservatory and authored several teaching aids on choral singing.
A chief conductor at the XIVth to XXth All-Latvian Song and Dance Festivals and the IInd, IVth, VIth, VIIIth, IXth and Xth Gaudeamus Baltic Student Song Festivals, as well as at the IIIth-VIth Latvian School Song and Dance Festivals and chief conductor and organiser of regional and district days of song.
Latvian SSR Order of Honour for artistic endeavours (1963), Latvian SSR National Award Winner (1958), Latvian SSR People’s Performing Artist (1973).
