Wakayama Children’s Choir, Espressa Women’s Choir, Male Choir Homme
Wakayama Children’s Choir (Japan), Espressa Women’s Choir (Canada), male choir Homme (Estonia): Leading Voices concert at St. John’s Church in Tallinn
Three inspiring and talanted choirs are performing versatile repertory from their homelands and also internationally well-known pieces.
This concert is free to attend for everyone!
Wakayama Children’s Choir (Japan)
Dr Nobutada Iwahashi, President
Mr Haruhiko Numamaru, Conductor
Wakayama Children’s Choir was established in 1958 with children from different schools throughout Wakayama City, with the belief of no boundary in the musical world and look forward to making more friends through the harmony of music all over the world.
Now following by Conductor Mr. Haruhiko Numamaru, the choir gives annual spring concerts and has been invited to the events and festivals both inside and outside of the country.
The choir has made 34 overseas concert tours and achieved excellent grades in several choir competitions (Gold and special prize at 5th International Choir Competition in Riva del Garda in Italy, 2nd prize in 35th Tolosa International Choir Competition in Spain, Special place of 37th May International Children Choir Competition (Bulgaria).
Espressa Women’s Choir (Canada), conductor Elaine Quilichini
Since its founding in 1995, the Calgary Girls Choir (CGC) has inspired girls and young women to meet the creative challenge of choral music performance.
The CGC is recognized nationally and internationally for its dazzling performances and many accomplishments: first-place awards and major prizes at Canadian and international
competitions; prestigious performances at the National Conferences of the American Choral Directors Association, ACCC Podium, and the Organization of American Kodály Educators;
features on national television; premieres at the Banff Centre for the Arts; concerts with the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra and the Calgary Civic Symphony; and commissions of new
works by Canadian and international composers.
The CGC have won at the Vienna Music Festival, the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod, and in local, provincial, and national competitions within Canada. They were awarded first place four times in the ACCC National Choral Competition!
Espressa (women’s division of the Calgary Girls Choir) was founded in 2020 during the pandemic to bring joy and hope to our alumni and women in our community. Their growth and pursuit of excellence has been a true joy for all involved.
Elaine Quilichini (Founder and Artistic Director of Espressa) has a unique gift for inspiring a love of music in others. Her passion and expertise allow her to guide others toward musical and personal excellence. This gift has brought her recognition and accolades at home and around the world.
In 1995, she founded the Calgary Girls Choir, and with her vision and passion it continues to stand as a model of choral excellence for others. She is the Artistic Director of summer choral programs at Wichita State and Nebraska Wesleyan Universities and the recipient of numerous awards including Choir Alberta’s ‘con spirito’ award, Global Television’s Woman of
Vision award, the Alberta Kodály Association Teacher Recognition Award and the Richard S. Eaton Award of Distinction in recognition of exemplary service to choral music in the province of Alberta. These awards celebrate the passion, talent and commitment she embodies, and are fitting recognition of Ms. Quilichini’s achievements.
Male Choir Homme (Estonia), conductor Kuldar Schüts
The All-Estonian Male Choir “Homme” is a unique choir with deep roots in Estonian choral singing culture. The choir has grown from former singers of the boys’ choir “Kalev” and other boys’ choirs who carry on their love for music. The Male Choir “Homme” brings together singers from all over Estonia, offering them the opportunity to meet and practice about once a month. Their goal is to keep the traditions of Estonian choral music alive, while enriching them with new and contemporary interpretations. Each choir rehearsal and concert is the result of deep dedication and musical mastery. The choir is conducted by renowned conductors Kuldar Schüts and Ksenija Grabova, who with their rich experience and musical vision help the choir reach new heights.
Kuldar Schüts graduated with a magistracy cum laude from the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre in 2012 in the conducting class of Professor Emeritus Ants Üleoja. He has sung in several professional choirs and vocal ensembles and participated in numerous musical projects. The young conductor currently works with five choirs. He is the conductor of the Engineers’ Male Choir, the EMLS All-Estonian Boys’ Choir Kalev, the Male Choir Homme, the Swedbank Mixed Choir and the Kalamaja Mixed Choir. Kuldar Schüts has been actively involved in the board of the Estonian Chamber Choirs Association and the Estonian Choir Conductors’ Association, as well as the Music Council of the Estonian Choir Association. He has sung in Vox Clamantis and the Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir, and in the Haapsalu Early Music Festival choir Studio Vocale. He is currently a regular singer and choirmaster in the Estonian National Male Choir.
