Guntars Ķirsis
1965
Conductor, head of cultural organisations
Born on 22 April 1965 in Limbaži. Studied at the Emīls Dārziņš Special Music secondary school (1972-1983).
Gained a bachelor’s degree at the Conservatory of Latvia in the conducting class of professor Gido Kokars, a master’s degree in the conducting class of Imants Kokars, in parallel supplementing his knowledge at various master classes. Studied management at the University of Latvia Municipality and Project Management State Training Centre (1998-1999) and at the Commercial Education Centre (2002).
While still a student, worked with several choirs – the Ķekava male choir (1983-1984), Skaistkalne mixed choir (1986-1987), Matīši mixed choir (1988-1993). Has also been choirmaster (from 1986) and principal conductor (1990-2001) of the Tēvzeme (Fatherland) choir, and founded and directed the Caritas mixed choir. At the same time, worked as chief of the music department at the E. Melngailis Folk Arts Centre (1988-1990).
He has been active in the field of cultural management as a producer of festivals and concerts and head of professional cultural organisations – he has headed up the Arēna new music festival (2002-2004), been director of the Latvian Radio Choir (1992-2005), is currently the director and a board member of Latvijas koncerti, the Latvian State concert agency and is also director of the Dzintari Concert Hall.
A chief conductor at the XXIIIrd All-Latvian Song Festival, of several district choirs, of Valmiera district choirs (1998-2007), as well as artistic director of the Latvian Rural Choir Festival and the Rīga Festival.
Awarded honorary citizenship of Valmiera, Cabinet of Ministers Certificate of Honour and the French National Order of the Legion of Honour.
