Biography
Renowned Estonian choir Collegium Musicale captivates audiences with their high-calibre performances and powerful sound. Founded by conductor Endrik Üksvärav in 2010, the group’s repertoire extends from renaissance to contemporary music, including oratorios and operas. A very special place in their repertoire belongs to Estonian contemporary composers including Arvo Pärt, Veljo Tormis and Erkki-Sven Tüür. Collegium Musicale’s mission is to offer a dynamic range of musical emotions and be ambassadors of Estonian music throughout the world.
During its 11-year history, the choir has enjoyed many international collaborations, frequent concert tours and performances at the top tier festivals in Czech Republic, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Israel, Italy, Japan, Lebanon, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Russia, Spain and Ukraine. In addition, the group has worked collaboratively with well-known conductors and orchestras. The choir is in high demand, giving approximately 40 concerts a year and being invited to participate in multiple significant projects.
In 2017 Collegium Musicale took part in EBU/Euroradio’s international competition, “Let the Peoples Sing”, winning both the adult category and competition’s overall Grand Prix. Collegium Musicale is the most recognized Choir of the Year in Estonia, having been awarded the title three times (In 2011, 2014 and 2017). In 2018 Collegium Musicale and conductor Endrik Üksvärav were awarded the Music Award of Estonian Cultural Endowment for their brilliant promotion and dedication to artistic excellence in introducing Estonian choral music in Estonia and abroad.
Conductor Endrik Üksvärav (b. 1980) has received degrees from the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre in conducting (BA and MA) and has studied the trumpet and French horn. In 2012 he began his studies in early music singing at the Royal Conservatory of the Hague (the Netherlands). He participated as the tenor soloist in Arvo Pärt and Robert Wilson’s Adam’s Lament. In addition to Estonia, Üksvärav is also active as conductor and singer in various countries in Europe, foremost in the Netherlands. In 2018, the King of the Netherlands decorated Endrik Üksvärav with a medal of the Order of Orange Nassau “for special merits for society”. 2019 July marked Endrik Üksvärav’s debut as a conductor of the Estonian Song Festival, conducting a choir of some 20,000 singers and to an audience of over 60,000.