On September 19-21, 2025, the 8th International Baltic Sea Choir Competition concluded at the Dzintari Concert Hall in Jūrmala city, Latvia, bringing together choir singers from seven countries—Estonia, Finland, Poland, Denmark, Slovenia, Hong Kong, and Ireland. The performances of eight high-level amateur choirs were evaluated by an international jury – Toh Ban Sheng (Singapore), Krista Audere (Netherlands/Latvia), , Ingrid Kõrvits (Estonia), Jani Sivén (Finland) and Andris Sējāns (Latvia).

The “Grand Prix” award was won by the Academic Choir “Tone Tomšič” of the University of Ljubljana (Slovenia), conducted by Rahela Durič. Along with the Grand Prix title and a €3,500 cash prize, the choir also earned a ticket to the 2026 “European Grand Prix for Choral Singing” final, which will take place on April, 2026 in Maribor, Slovenia.

Second place and a €2,000 prize went to the mixed choir “New Dublin Voices” from Ireland, conducted by Bernie Sherlock. Third place and a €1,000 prize was awarded to the “Good Hope School Choir” girls’ choir from Hong Kong.

The Best Conductor Award was given to Rahela Durič, conductor of the Slovenian choir that won the Grand Prix. The prize for the best performance of the compulsory piece—Arturs Maskats’ “Song of Innocence”—was awarded to New Dublin Voices, while the award for the most theatrical stage performance went to the Good Hope School Choir, which also received both the Audience Award and the Dzintari Concert Hall Special Prize.

The “Musica Baltica” publishing house prize for the best interpretation of a unison piece was awarded to the Tone Tomšič Choir from Ljubljana, which also received the Latvian National Centre for Culture Special Prize.

Results and awards:

95,67 points and the Winner of 8th International Baltic Sea Choir Competition who got Jurmala City GRAND PRIX trophy and monetary prize of 3500 Eur :

Academic Choir Tone Tomšič from the University of Ljubljana / Slovenia. Conductor Rahela Durič

95,33 points – 2nd place and monetary prize of 2000 Eur:

New Dublin Voices / Ireland. Conductor Bernie Sherlock

89,17 points – 3rd place and monetary prize of 1000 Eur:

Good Hope School Choir / Hong Kong. Conductor Melody Tang

88,33 points – Choir of the University of Economics in Katowice / Poland. Conductor Michał Brożek

82,00 points – Copenhagen Girls’ Choir / Denmark. Conductor Anne-Terese Sales

79,69 points – Cuore Chamber Choir / Ireland. Conductor Amy Ryan

79,36 points – Academic Female Choir of Tallinn University of Technology / Estonia. Conductor Edmar Tuul and Karin Tuul

78,64 points – Lempikuoro/ Finland. Conductor Julia Lainema

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The prize for the best compulsory piece by Arturs Maskats “Song of Innocence” of 250 Eur: New Dublin Voices / Ireland. Conductor Bernie Sherlock

The prize for the best conductor in the form of 500 Eur: Academic Choir Tone Tomšič from the University of Ljubljana / Slovenia. Conductor Rahela Durič

Audience Award: Good Hope School Choir / Hong Kong. Conductor Melody Tang

The most attractive performance prize: Good Hope School Choir / Hong Kong. Conductor Melody Tang

Special Award from Latvian National Centre for Culture: Academic Choir Tone Tomšič from the University of Ljubljana / Slovenia. Conductor Rahela Durič

Special Award from Dzintari concert hall: Good Hope School Choir / Hong Kong. Conductor Melody Tang

The best interpretation of unison piece and prize from publishing house “Musica Baltica”: Academic Choir Tone Tomšič from the University of Ljubljana / Slovenia. Conductor Rahela Durič