Ausma Derkēvica

Ausma Derkēvica (21 July 1929 – 26 December 2011) was a Latvian choral conductor and music teacher.[1] She is an honored professor at the Jāzeps Vītols Latvian Academy of Music.

Ausma Derkēvica
Born	(1929-07-21)July 21, 1929
Died	December 26, 2011(2011-12-26) (aged 82)
Nationality	Latvian
Occupation	Choral conductor, music teacher.

Biography

In 1959 finished the Jāzeps Vītols Latvian Academy of Music, class of T. Kalniņš. From 1958 until 1970 was the choral conductor of the Latvian SSR Revolution veteran choir, from 1958 until 1989 led the folk choir "Dzintars" together with her consort Imants Cepītis, afterwards until 2000 was the choir's main leader. With her lead, "Dzintars" was the first Latvian choir to win an international competition, furthermore in 1968 her choir received a "Grand Prix" in the competition in Debrecen. "Dzintars" received many international victories not only in the woman's group, but also while competing with all other choirs.

Ausma Derkēvica can be characterized as a starter and developer of a new movement of women's choirs in Latvia.

She also was the choral conductor of the National Academic Choir (1969–1989).

From 1964 until 1972 she worked in the Emīls Dārziņš high school of music as a teacher, from 1959 to 1964 A. Derkēvica led the musical sector of the Folk Art house. She has been the main conductor of many Latvian Song and Dance Festivals since 1973.

In 1995 was awarded the third class Order of the Three Stars, in 1980 - a prize from the Latvian SSR. In 1999 she received a lifetime pension from the Latvian Culture Capital Foundation.

References

1. "Mūžībā aizgājusi diriģente Ausma Derkēvica". Delfi. 27 December 2011. Retrieved 9 October 2014.