The remarkable success of the Academic Choir Tone Tomšič, University of Ljubljana, at an international choir competition
arhiv tekmovanja IBSCC
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Last weekend, the Academic Choir (Akademski pevski zbor – APZ) Tone Tomšič, University of Ljubljana, achieved remarkable success at the 8th International Baltic Sea Choir Competition in Jūrmala, Latvia – one of the six European competitions whose winners qualify for the prestigious European Grand Prix. Under the direction of Rahela Durič, the Slovenian choir won the Jūrmala City Grand Prix trophy with an impressive 95.67 points out of 100, along with a generous monetary prize. The choir also received three special awards.
Second place went to New Dublin Voices from Ireland, conducted by Bernie Sherlock, while third place was awarded to the Good Hope School Choir from Hong Kong, led by Melody Tang. The competition also featured outstanding choirs from Poland, Denmark, Ireland, Estonia and Finland.
In addition to the Grand Prix, APZ Tone Tomšič received the prize for the best conductor (Rahela Durič), a Special Award from the Latvian National Centre for Culture, and the prize for the best interpretation of a unison piece and the prize from the publishing house “Musica Baltica”. This achievement is particularly meaningful as the choir approaches its 100th anniversary in 2026. As this year’s winner of Latvia’s competition, APZ will appear in the final of the European Grand Prix, which will take place in Maribor in April next year.
APZ Tone Tomšič unites students from across the University of Ljubljana’s faculties and is one of Slovenia’s oldest and most celebrated amateur choirs — widely recognised in Europe and beyond. Since September 2021, it has been led by the conductor Rahela Durič.
Founded in 1926 by France Marolt as a male academic choir, it became a mixed choir after the Second World War and adopted the name of Tone Tomšič. Over nearly a century, it has participated in numerous domestic and international festivals and competitions, winning many prestigious awards.
With its rich tradition and international acclaim, APZ Tone Tomšič continues to serve as a leading ambassador of Slovenian choral music and an important voice in European and global choral heritage.