Jānis Zirnis
1944
Conductor, educator
Born on 1 March 1944 in Staicele. Attended Staicele elementary school, then the choir-conducting department of the Alfrēds Kalniņš Cēsis Music secondary school. Even then, the young artist’s interests were wide-ranging – he learned to play the trumpet, clarinet and saxophone, and was a percussionist in the Cēsis Symphony Orchestra.
Studied in the choir-conducting department of the Latvian State Conservatory under Jānis Ozoliņš (1962-1969), later graduated from the symphonic-orchestra and opera-conducting class of Vasilijs Sinaiskis (1982), but in 2004 received a master’s degree in music. Also played saxophone in the Latvian Radio and Television Light Music Orchestra (1967-1980).
When still at secondary school, began working with his first group – the Kūduma village mixed choir. As a student, worked as the choirmaster of various choirs, gaining significant experience as the second conductor of Haralds Mednis’ choir Skaņupe (River of Sound). Has directed the Madona District Teachers’ choir (1981-1987), is long-term conductor of the Ausma (Dawn) female choir (since 1968), principal conductor of the Ogre mixed choir (since 1974) and of the Dobele District Teachers choir Sidrabe (since 1987). All of his choirs have always been among the best choirs in Latvia and have achieved notable success in competitions and festivals.
In parallel, has worked with professional ensembles: has been the assistant principal conductor of the Latvian Radio Symphony Orchestra and its second conductor (1980-1984), as well as the chief choirmaster of the Latvian National Opera (1987-1989) and its conductor (1989-2004).
Has passed on his knowledge to budding conductors at the Jāzeps Vītols Latvian Academy of Music (since 1977), as a lecturer and head of the Department of Music Pedagogy (1984-1987), as well as conductor of the teaching choir and students’ symphony orchestra.
Calling on his experience, Zirnis describes the conductor’s profession as follows: “I believe that I have to think faster than the singers, because it is the conductor who passes impulses to the singers. A good conductor should first of all be able to communicate with people. There is no other way to work. Conductors should certainly possess musicality, a gift from nature, as it cannot be learned, only developed. School – conducting technique – is important too.” (Jānis Zirnis, Ogresnovads.lv, 23 March 2012)
A chief conductor at the XXth-XXVth All-Latvian Song Festivals, Honorary chief conductor at the XXVIth and XXVIIth All-Latvian Song Festival, chief conductor at the XIth Latvian Song Festival in Canada (2000) and the Rīgai-800 festival (2001), conductor of the combined symphony orchestra at the XXth and XIth All-Latvian Song Festivals, chief conductor at the Latgale Song Festival (2005), VIIth Latvian Schools’ Song and Dance Festival (1995) and of Cēsis (1962), Madona, Dobele District, Jelgava City and District choirs.
Latvian SSR Order of Honour for artistic endeavours (1985), awarded the Certificate of Recognition of Latvia’s Cabinet of Ministers (2004) and the Order of the Three Stars (2008).
