The chamber choir "Brevis" from Vilnius has just won the most prestigious prize for a choir in Europe - the "European Grand Prix in Choral Singing". Lithuania is the only country in Europe for its choirs to have won this "Grand Prix" three times to date.

This year the competition for this prize was held on June 7-8 in France. It involved choirs from Norway, USA, Finland and Germany, each choir having earlier been the winner of a major European choral competition.

"When the best of the best come together, it is always very hard to pick a winner. But on stage "Brevis" was truly outstanding - a choir which radiates exceptional musical feelings" - declared the competition jury chairman, E. Hemberg.

The choir was founded in Vilnius in Autumn 1990, when a group of young people came together for first rehearsal at St.Casimir's church, which continues to be the choir's home. base. The choir at present has about 30 choristers, mostly present and former students of the Musical Academy of Lithuania.

Source: "Lietuvos Žinios" 2003.06.10