About the London Latvian Choir / Par Londonas Latviešu kori
Londonas latviešu kori dibināja latviešu komponists un diriģents Alberts Jērums, 1948. gada augustā - koris ir tagad visvecākais latviešu koris Lielbritānijā. Kopš dibināšanas, Londonas latviešu koris piedzīvojis labus laikus, piedaloties visās Anglijas un Eiropas latviešu Dziesmu dienās, Latviešu Dziesmu svētkos Kanādā, 1970. un 2024. gadā; dziedājis gandrīz visos Londonā rīkotos 18. novembŗa svētku sarīkojumos un pārstāvējis latviešus nesaskaitāmos starptautiskos saietos. Koris ir piedalījies Dziesmu un deju Svētkos Latvijā vairākas reizes, dziedāja rokoperā Lāčplēsis 2018. gadā, un šogad piedalīsies Eiropas Latviešu Kultūras Svētkos Bradfordā.
Korī patreiz piedalās 60 koristu. Tagadējās koŗa rindās ir galvenokārt jaunāko paaudžu pārstāvji, cilvēki, kas dzimuši un auguši Latvijā – tāpat, kā pirms 70 gadiem. Koŗa dziedāšana tagad spēlē tikpat svarīgu lomu, kā tajos laikos, dodot jauniebraucējiem iespēju kopīgā darbā veidot saiknes ar citiem tautiešiem, uzturēt latviešu valodu un tradicijas un apstiprināt ticību savas tautas nākotnei. Kori vada trīs diriģenti: Lilija Zobens, viņas vīrs Lezlijs Īsts un meita Andra.
Londonas Latviešu koris dziļi pateicās Daugavas Vanagu Fondam par atbalstu.
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The London Latvian Choir is the oldest Latvian choir in the UK, having been founded by the Latvian composer and conductor Alberts Jērums in August, 1948. Since then it has enjoyed a diverse and colourful life, participating in all of the Latvian Song festivals in England and Europe, and in Canada in 1970 and 2024. The choir has performed in nearly all the Latvian Independence day celebrations in London, in all the annual festivals of Latvian culture in the UK and has represented Latvia in numerous international events. At its peak, the choir had over 70 members. The choir has also sung in various non-traditional events, such as the semi-staged performance of the rock opera Lāčplēsis in Riga, and with the rock group Sound Poets, both in 2018. The choir was proud to participate in the Latvian Song Festivals in Rīga in 1990, 1993, 2013, 2018 and 2023, the European festivals of Latvian culture in Brussels (2015) and Dublin (2019), and is now preparing for the 3rd European festival of Latvian culture in Bradford this July.
The present members of the choir are predominantly representatives of the younger generation of Latvians, born and raised in Latvia – just like it was over 75 years ago. Choral singing is just as important to Latvians now as it was back then, giving Latvians living in the UK the opportunity, while working together, to develop relationships with other compatriots, to maintain the Latvian language and traditions, and confirm their faith in the future of the nation. Three members of one family conduct the choir: Lilija Zobens, her husband, Leslie East, and their daughter Andra.
The London Latvian Choir is deeply grateful to the Latvian Welfare Trust (Daugavas Vanagu Fonds) for their support.
Korī patreiz piedalās 60 koristu. Tagadējās koŗa rindās ir galvenokārt jaunāko paaudžu pārstāvji, cilvēki, kas dzimuši un auguši Latvijā – tāpat, kā pirms 70 gadiem. Koŗa dziedāšana tagad spēlē tikpat svarīgu lomu, kā tajos laikos, dodot jauniebraucējiem iespēju kopīgā darbā veidot saiknes ar citiem tautiešiem, uzturēt latviešu valodu un tradicijas un apstiprināt ticību savas tautas nākotnei. Kori vada trīs diriģenti: Lilija Zobens, viņas vīrs Lezlijs Īsts un meita Andra.
Londonas Latviešu koris dziļi pateicās Daugavas Vanagu Fondam par atbalstu.
* * * * *
The London Latvian Choir is the oldest Latvian choir in the UK, having been founded by the Latvian composer and conductor Alberts Jērums in August, 1948. Since then it has enjoyed a diverse and colourful life, participating in all of the Latvian Song festivals in England and Europe, and in Canada in 1970 and 2024. The choir has performed in nearly all the Latvian Independence day celebrations in London, in all the annual festivals of Latvian culture in the UK and has represented Latvia in numerous international events. At its peak, the choir had over 70 members. The choir has also sung in various non-traditional events, such as the semi-staged performance of the rock opera Lāčplēsis in Riga, and with the rock group Sound Poets, both in 2018. The choir was proud to participate in the Latvian Song Festivals in Rīga in 1990, 1993, 2013, 2018 and 2023, the European festivals of Latvian culture in Brussels (2015) and Dublin (2019), and is now preparing for the 3rd European festival of Latvian culture in Bradford this July.
The present members of the choir are predominantly representatives of the younger generation of Latvians, born and raised in Latvia – just like it was over 75 years ago. Choral singing is just as important to Latvians now as it was back then, giving Latvians living in the UK the opportunity, while working together, to develop relationships with other compatriots, to maintain the Latvian language and traditions, and confirm their faith in the future of the nation. Three members of one family conduct the choir: Lilija Zobens, her husband, Leslie East, and their daughter Andra.
The London Latvian Choir is deeply grateful to the Latvian Welfare Trust (Daugavas Vanagu Fonds) for their support.
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Conductors / Diriģenti
Lilija Zobens began to sing in the London Latvian Choir in 1975, and was persuaded to start conducting in 1976 by the founder, Alberts Jērums. A graduate of King’s College, London, Lilija has extensive experience as a singer, performing with her husband Leslie for Latvian audiences in most parts of the world. Lilija was music director of the 5th and 6th European Latvian Song Festivals (in Leeds and Helsingborg respectively) and of the Baltic Arts festival in London in 1996. She conducted the massed choirs at the Latvian Song Festivals in Rīga in 1990, 1993, 1998 and most recently in 2023.
Leslie East began conducting the LLK in 1985, the year his daughter Andra was born, since his wife was otherwise engaged! Since then Leslie has conducted the choir on many occasions, notably the world premiere of Alberts Jērums’ cantata, Neraudi, māsiņa. He has great experience of Latvian music, having led the vocal ensemble Atbalss (‘Echo’) from 1977 to 1990, and accompanied Lilija’s many solo concerts, as well as writing on Latvian music and arranging anniversary concerts for the composers Alberts Jērums and Helmers Pavasars. He began his career as Director of Music at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, then progressed to publishing, becoming Publishing Director of Novello and Co. Before his retirement he had become Chief Executive of ABRSM, the leading music examination board in the world. Currently he runs the City Music Society and is Deputy Chairman of The Association of British Choral Directors, having been Chairman for 8 years. He has also written a book about the music of Helmers Pavasars, to be published sometime perhaps.
Andra Zobens East is a choral conductor, singer, and music administrator, with a particular specialism in and passion for music learning and community programmes. Andra’s life has been inextricably linked with the London Latvian Choir, when her arrival into this world meant that her father had to take over the conducting of the choir whilst her mother was on maternity leave! Andra has since conducted the London Latvian Choir on a regular basis and has worked extensively in the Latvian musical community in the UK as a vocal leader, with adults and young people. Whilst working in her former role at the London Symphony Orchestra, Andra instigated group singing activities and performances for staff, in order to support wellbeing at work. Having studied Music at Royal Holloway, University of London, where she was a Choral Scholar in the college Chapel Choir, Andra has sung extensively with various church and chamber choirs, including the Colla Voce Singers. Andra’s conducting highlights including leading performances by massed Latvian singers in Esslingen, Germany, and in Toronto, Canada.
Lilija Zobens began to sing in the London Latvian Choir in 1975, and was persuaded to start conducting in 1976 by the founder, Alberts Jērums. A graduate of King’s College, London, Lilija has extensive experience as a singer, performing with her husband Leslie for Latvian audiences in most parts of the world. Lilija was music director of the 5th and 6th European Latvian Song Festivals (in Leeds and Helsingborg respectively) and of the Baltic Arts festival in London in 1996. She conducted the massed choirs at the Latvian Song Festivals in Rīga in 1990, 1993, 1998 and most recently in 2023.
Leslie East began conducting the LLK in 1985, the year his daughter Andra was born, since his wife was otherwise engaged! Since then Leslie has conducted the choir on many occasions, notably the world premiere of Alberts Jērums’ cantata, Neraudi, māsiņa. He has great experience of Latvian music, having led the vocal ensemble Atbalss (‘Echo’) from 1977 to 1990, and accompanied Lilija’s many solo concerts, as well as writing on Latvian music and arranging anniversary concerts for the composers Alberts Jērums and Helmers Pavasars. He began his career as Director of Music at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, then progressed to publishing, becoming Publishing Director of Novello and Co. Before his retirement he had become Chief Executive of ABRSM, the leading music examination board in the world. Currently he runs the City Music Society and is Deputy Chairman of The Association of British Choral Directors, having been Chairman for 8 years. He has also written a book about the music of Helmers Pavasars, to be published sometime perhaps.
Andra Zobens East is a choral conductor, singer, and music administrator, with a particular specialism in and passion for music learning and community programmes. Andra’s life has been inextricably linked with the London Latvian Choir, when her arrival into this world meant that her father had to take over the conducting of the choir whilst her mother was on maternity leave! Andra has since conducted the London Latvian Choir on a regular basis and has worked extensively in the Latvian musical community in the UK as a vocal leader, with adults and young people. Whilst working in her former role at the London Symphony Orchestra, Andra instigated group singing activities and performances for staff, in order to support wellbeing at work. Having studied Music at Royal Holloway, University of London, where she was a Choral Scholar in the college Chapel Choir, Andra has sung extensively with various church and chamber choirs, including the Colla Voce Singers. Andra’s conducting highlights including leading performances by massed Latvian singers in Esslingen, Germany, and in Toronto, Canada.
