More than 95 bright-eyed singing children gathered on May 18 at Puiga Elementary School to participate in the Võru County Singing Carousel this year.
The joyful day of singing was opened with warm words by Tiit Toots, a member of the Võrumaa Development Center board, and the event was moderated by poet and actress Anne-Mai Tevahi.
The Singing Carousel included children aged 3-19 years, and the concerts were divided into six categories by age. A total of 24 teachers guided the 95 participants. The performances of the singing children were judged by a three-member jury, including acclaimed music educator Toomas Voll, singer, conductor, and host Tõnis Sarap, and esteemed vocal coach Margot Suur. The evaluation focused on musicality, intonation, diction, vocal technique, individual voice characteristics, and the overall impression of the performance.
The aim of the Singing Carousel was to introduce young singing-loving children from Võrumaa and provide them with the opportunity to perform for both kindergarten and school children, encouraging them to further engage in music.
Special prizes were awarded in each age group. In addition, selected youth from each age group will perform on July 26 at the Võru Children's Festival family concert with Synne Valtri and the Defense League Big Band conducted by Peeter Saan. The festival will feature Danylo Bondarchuk from Vastseliina Kindergarten (teacher Kairi Kuusk), Tristan Jõgeva, Anni-Amii Purga, and Kirke Elanor Karu from Häälepärlid Singing Studio (teacher Eva-Lotta Vunder), Meinhard Hirs and Meriliis Hirs from Parksepa High School (teacher Endla Kersman), Karl Tamm and Viktoria Rebane from Vastseliina Gymnasium (teacher Jane Reiljan-Prätz), Lisanna Liivamägi and Marken Mürk from Võru Music School (teacher Maire Nirk), and Lisette Punt, Laura Tolk, and Krete Rutov from Võru Music School (teacher Kaari Kattai).
Age Group I Preschoolers
For a lively performance - Harri Almann, Vastseliina Kindergarten, teacher Kairi Kuusk
For a spirited and bold performance - Astrid Pärna, Häälepärlid Singing Studio (teacher Eva-Lotta Vunder)
For a clear and pure performance - Susanna Kannimäe, Võru Nursery School Punamütsike (teacher Annika Pilvistu)
Age Group II 1st-2nd Grade
For a clean performance, good stage presence - Meinhard Hirs, Parksepa High School (teacher Endla Kersman)
For a lively performance - Annabel Mark, Häälepärlid Singing Studio (teacher Eva-Lotta Vunder)
For a lovely performance - Desiree Lehter, Häälepärlid Singing Studio (teacher Eva-Lotta Vunder)
Age Group III 3rd-4th Grade
Artistry Special Prize - Triin Tuul, Parksepa High School (teacher Endla Kersman)
Age Group IV 5th-6th Grade
Complete performance - Kristen Laaneviir, Antsla Cultural Center Singing Studio (teacher Cathelen Haugas)
Age Group V 7th-9th Grade
Complete performance - Laura Kook, Häälepärlid Singing Studio (teacher Eva-Lotta Vunder)
Promising talent - Braian Tsirk, Võru Music School (teacher Kaari Kattai)
Pleasant touch - Marleen Rätsep, Antsla Gymnasium (teacher Kerli Hellamaa)
Honest interpretation of the song - Meribel Kaaver, Võru Music School (teacher Kaari Kattai)
Age Group VI High School Students
Resonant voice - Kertu Turvas, Vastseliina Music School (teacher Ermo Talvik)
Passionate performance - Anna Elisabeth Ago, Võru Gymnasium (teacher Silja Otsar)
Musical performance - Eliisa Marta Tammeleht, Vastseliina Gymnasium (teacher Jane Reiljan-Pärtz)
Complete performance - Liis Merisalu, Võrumaa Education and Technology Center (teacher Silja Otsar)
The event was organized by the Võrumaa Development Center in cooperation with the Võru Municipality Cultural and Youth Work Center. Kristi Vals, a cultural specialist at the Võrumaa Development Center, and Maarika Rosenberg, director of the Võru Municipality Cultural and Youth Work Center, thank all the instructors who have created the opportunity for children in Võru County to sing and be friends with music. The success of the day was also supported by the 10th grade students of Võru Gymnasium, Puiga Elementary School, and sound engineer Tiit Lõhmus. The event was supported by the Cultural Endowment of Estonia and Valio Eesti AS Võru Cheese Factory.
