Imants Cepītis
1933–1993
Conductor, educator
Born on 9 January 1933 in Gulbene. Studied at Gulbene Secondary School and later at the Cēsis Music Secondary School. Furthered his musical education at the Latvian State Conservatory, in the choir conducting class of Jānis Ozoliņš (1954-1959).
While still a secondary school student, began to conduct his first amateur choirs. In 1957, took over the Latvian Revolutionary Veterans’ choir (1957-1970), in 1959 the Retail Workers’ Club female choir (later to become Dzintars (Amber)). After a year, the conductor invited his wife Ausma Derkēvica to be choirmaster. Thus began their professional cooperation, which culminated in the enormous success of the pride of Latvia – the Dzintars ‘People’s’ choir. The young conductors achieved success in only their second year together when Dzintars came second in the choir competition. First prize came three years later, and Dzintars went on to take first place in the next five choir competitions. The choir is also one of the first to achieve great success outside the Soviet Union, gaining first place at the Béla Bartók Choir Competition in Debrecen in 1968.
In 1969, became the artistic director and principal conductor of the State Academic Choir. Under the guidance of Cepītis and Derkēvica, the choir performed with great success all over the world, particularly with its interpretations of vocal symphonic works. “That’s how we spent all our working lives together – giving all of ourselves, like two obsessives. Until we achieved the goal we set ourselves at the very beginning – to make this choir [the State Academic Choir] the best performer of great vocal instrumental forms with enormous authority, not only in the Soviet Union, but also far beyond its borders.” (Grauzdiņa, Ilma, Izredzētie (The Chosen Few), 2008. p 147)
Was a lecturer at the Jāzeps Vītols Latvian State Conservatory (1961-1969), head of the Department of Music Pedagogy, a chief conductor at the XIVth-XIXth All-Latvian Song and Dance Festivals, and at numerous district days of song and choir gatherings.
Latvian SSR Order of Honour for artistic endeavours (1967), Latvian SSR People’s Artist (1977), Latvian SSR State Award Winner (1980).
