"Sing Together" initiative draws 2,500 singers from across Latvia
In just one and a half months, the "Sing Together" initiative has attracted 2,500 participants, demonstrating that the tradition of collective singing in Latvia remains vibrant and unifying.
An Unplanned Success
The "Sing Together" initiative was not a pre-planned project but a response to the desire of singers. Many who are not currently in a choir or whose choirs are not participating in the concert "Manai dzimtenei" (To My Homeland) approached organizers asking for an individual way to sing. Several conductors, including Artūrs Švarcbahs, got involved in creating a mass choir, offering an open platform for anyone with singing experience.
The result exceeded expectations: within six weeks, 2,500 singers signed up, making it one of the largest individually registered mass choirs ever formed in Latvia. This number is equivalent to more than 80 regular choirs.
Motivation and Diversity
The choir includes people of all ages. Most have previous choir experience, but there are also those who were previously rejected by choirs because they were told they "sing badly." In this initiative, everyone was accepted. According to Švarcbahs, this is crucial – a song should unite, not divide.
Participants learned the repertoire on their own using voice recordings available on the website. The conductor notes that the singers have prepared exceptionally well, allowing him to work immediately on artistic details. Many say the initiative has rekindled their love for singing, and several plan to join a permanent choir afterward.
The Unifying Power of Song
Švarcbahs emphasizes that collective singing in Latvian culture has never been just a musical activity – it is a way to feel belonging to a community and nation. Even today, digital communication cannot replace the feeling of hundreds of people breathing together and singing one melody. In that moment, age, profession, and social status disappear, leaving only a shared experience.
Initiative's success shows that the Latvian choral tradition is not just history; it is still alive in people. The desire to be together often outweighs disagreements and external circumstances, shaping the future of choral culture.
