100th Anniversary Concert of the KTU Academic Choir 'Jaunystė': 'Songs of Youth – Resonating Today and Tomorrow'

Kaunas University of Technology (KTU) Academic Choir Jaunystė, meaning “youth” in Lithuanian, invites audiences to celebrate 100 years of music at its anniversary concert, “Songs of Youth – Still Resounding Today and Tomorrow”.

During this festive evening, the choir’s past, present and future will come together. Music will serve as a bridge connecting generations of Jaunystė singers, the choir’s long-standing traditions and the creative pursuits of today.

The concert programme will feature works from different periods of the choir’s repertoire, reflecting its century-long musical journey. Audiences can look forward not only to choral music, but also to familiar pieces presented in fresh new arrangements.

KTU Academic Choir Jaunystė will be joined on stage by special guests: the Kaunas Big Band of the public concert institution Kauno Santaka, the Kaunas String Quartet, soloists Linas Adomaitis, Girmantė Vaitkutė, Žygimantas Baltrūnas and Stefanija Nosovaitė, and the vocal groups Dangi and Dangiukai from the Antanas Kačanauskas Music School.

The concert looks back on the choir’s rich history while affirming the enduring power of the songs that have accompanied generations of Jaunystė members and audience members. These songs continue to resound today and will do so for generations to come. Join us in celebrating the centenary of Jaunystė – remembering, listening, feeling the energy of a century and experiencing the magic of song.

Kaunas University of Technology (KTU) Academic Choir Jaunystė is a choral ensemble with deep-rooted traditions and a history spanning a century. Bringing together choral music enthusiasts from different generations, it has become an integral part of the KTU’s cultural life. The choir’s history connects the academic community, the traditions of Lithuanian choral music and a continuing search for new forms of artistic expression.

Over its 100-year history, Jaunystė has brought together singers from many generations. Its musical journey has been shaped by the conductors and artistic directors who have led the ensemble, each contributing to its success and longevity. Today, the choir continues its long-standing traditions while exploring a contemporary choral sound and creating programmes in which choral music meets other genres and performers from diverse artistic fields.

Since 1994, KTU Academic Choir Jaunystė has been led by its long-standing artistic director and conductor, Danguolė Beinarytė. Under her direction, the choir maintains an active concert schedule and regularly participates in competitions, festivals, Lithuanian Song Celebrations and other significant cultural projects.

At its centenary concert, the choir will be joined by an extensive line-up of guest performers. The instrumental ensemble will include the Kaunas Big Band, led by chief conductor Tomas Botyrius; the Kaunas String Quartet – Karolina Beinarytė-Palekauskienė (first violin), Aistė Mikutytė (second violin), Eglė Lapinskė (viola) and Kasparas Šerpytis (cello); and a rhythm section comprising Gediminas Strupinskas and Rimvydas Mitkus (keyboards), Paulius Volkovas (guitar), Arturs Duckis (bass guitar) and Linas Būda(drums).

The concert will also feature soloists Linas Adomaitis, Girmantė Vaitkutė, Žygimantas Baltrūnas and Stefanija Nosovaitė, alongside the vocal groups Dangi and Dangiukai from the Antanas Kačanauskas Music School. The groups are led by artistic director Danguolė Beinarytė.

Bringing together performers from different musical fields and generations on the anniversary stage reflects the creative spirit of Jaunystė: respect for tradition, a sense of togetherness and a desire to bring new colours to choral music. Jaunystė is more than the name of a choir; it represents a love of music, song and togetherness passed from generation to generation.