Māris Sirmais

Māris Sirmais is a Professor of Choir Conducting at the Jāzeps Vītols Latvian Academy of Music. He leads the Department of Choir Conducting and serves as Artistic Director of the State Choir Latvija and the International Sacred Music Festival. His roles include conducting, artistic leadership, and educational mentorship in choral and orchestral music.

• Education: Bachelor’s (JVLMA under Ludmila Pismennaja), Master’s (JVLMA under Imants Kokars), and studies in orchestra conducting at Graz College of Music with Martin Zighart.

Research and practice focus on choral conducting innovation, collaboration with composers, and performance of seminal works like Bernstein’s Mass, Stravinsky’s Les Noces, and Tavener’s Resurrection. He has premiered compositions by Taverner, Kancheli, Sandström, and others through the World Sun Songs project.

Awards highlight his impact: 10 Latvian Great Music Awards, Cabinet of Ministers Award (2008), and recognition as Riga Citizen of the Year for global cultural promotion.

• Advising: Founded and led the youth choir Kamēr... (1990–2012), winning over 100 international awards including the European Grand Prix for Choral Singing and World Choir Olympics gold medals.
• Grants/Funding: Not explicitly mentioned, but projects like World Sun Songs imply collaborative funding.

Labs/Teams: Leads State Choir Latvija, Kamēr..., and oversees the Artistic Board of Latvia’s National Song Festivals. Collaborates with ensembles like Latvian National Opera Orchestra and Kremerata Baltica.