Māra Marnauza
1963
Conductor, educator
Began her musical education in choir conducting at the Jāzeps Mediņš Music secondary school (1978-1982), continued her studies at the Latvian State Conservatory in the choir-conducting class of Mendelis Bašs (1982-1987), the master’s degree programme at the Daugavpils Pedagogical University Faculty of Music (1995-1996) and doctoral studies at the University of Latvia, Institute of Pedagogy and Psychology (1996-2000).
Started her teaching career at the Rīga Pedagogical School as a conducting educator (1985-1988), continued at the Rīga Teachers’ Institute as an educator and conductor of the teaching choir (1992-1994), but since 1994, has worked at the Rīga Teacher Training and Educational Management Academy, initially as an assistant professor, later as its academic rector.
Participated in international academic research projects, developed methodological teaching materials for conducting and choral music, and researched trends in Latvian choral culture. Her work for the book Conducting Methodology (2012) is significant. The publication was developed in close collaboration with her teacher, Mendelis Bašs. “Sustained artistic work as conductor of the Fortius chamber choir and Balta female choir, educational work at the Rīga Teacher Training and Educational Management Academy with budding music teachers and choir conductors, as well as academic research into the teaching of conducting has brought many important insights, so encouraging the publication of this book, which evolved in close and heartfelt co-operation with the professor.” (Kārlis Zane, Teamwork between Professor Mendelis Bašs and Māra Marnauza crowned with a book. Nra.lv, 15 November 2012)
As conductor and artistic director of the Fortius chamber choir (since 1985) and Balta female choir (since 1999), has attained outstanding achievements at festivals and competitions in Latvia and abroad. Fortius’ greatest successes include 1st prize in the mixed-choir group at the XXIIIrd All-Latvian Song Festival choir-competition final (2003), 3rd prize in the chamber-choir group at the XXIInd All-Latvian Song Festival Concert Final (1998) and Grand Prix and 1st prize in the folk-music category and 1st place in the chamber-choir category in the Rīga Zīle International youth choir competition (1998) and 1st prize for the best performance of a Renaissance-era work at the International Stasys Šimkus Choir Competition in Klaipeda (1999).
For its part, the greatest achievements of the Balta choir include 1st prize and the award for the best performance of the compulsory song at the XXVth All-Latvian Song Festival choir-competition final (2013), 3rd place in the female-choir category in the XXIVth All-Latvian Song Festival choir-competition final (2008), a gold medal in the Champions’ category at the 8th World Choir Games (2014), a gold medal in the sacred-music category at the international Grand Prix of Choral Music competition (2011) in Graz, Austria, and 1st prize and Best Conductor Award at the XIXth International Namestovo Festival of Choirs, Slovakia (2009).
Active participant in various public organisations – member of the European Teacher Education Association, Member of the European Choir Association Europa Cantat, Member of the Latvian Choir Association, Member of the programme and artistic committees of the Gaudeamus Baltic Student Song Festival, and honorary member of the Teodors Reiters Foundation. Continues to make an impressive contribution to the organisation of further education courses, concerts, competitions, master classes and her work in competition juries.
A chief conductor at the XXVth-XXVIIth All-Latvian Song and Dance Festivals.
