IMANTS KOKARS (1921)

 
Founder of the Riga Chamber Choir AVE SOL and its Principal Conductor and Artistic Director. A distinguished Latvian choral conductor as well as the rector of the Latvian Academy of Music (1977—1991). Since 1965 one of the Principal Conductors at all the Latvian National Song Festivals. Initiator and Artistic Director of the Riga International Chamber Choir Festival RÎGA DIMD. One of the initiators of the International Choral Festival NORDIC BALTIC.  

An adjudicator at many international choral competitions, Imants Kokars has given masterclasses in Canada, Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, Norway and Israel. 

Initiator of the 12-volume “Anthology of Latvian Choral Music” and director of this major project. Honorary Member of the Latvian Academy of Sciences, and awarded the Order of the Three Stars, Latvia’s highest civil award. 

His artistic and social temperament, his initiative and his ability to execute large-scale musical projects make him a central figure in Latvian musical life.
 
ULDIS KOKARS (1962)

Son of the well-known conductor Imants Kokars. Turned to music studies early in his life, beginning as a member of the famous Riga Dome Boys’ Choir, and ending with a Master’s degree at the Jâzeps Vîtols Latvian Academy of Music. 

 Has conducted various notable Latvian amateur choirs, gaining top honours with the outstanding youth chamber choir LAUDA at international competitions at Mićdzyrzecz (Poland) in 1988 and Gorizia (Italy) in 1991. 

Conducting teacher at the Riga Dome Choir School from 1986 to 2000. Since 1999 has conducted the Riga Chamber Choir AVE SOL, leading the choir at important performances at EXPO 2000 in Hannover and in Marseilles (France). 

Actively engaged in the work of preparing the 12-volume “Anthology of Latvian Choral Music”. One of the founders in 1997 and the director of SIA SOL, the music publishing company issuing the Anthology volumes together with their illustrative CD’s, as well as other Latvian choral music and CD’s.