Latvian Chorus of Detroit (Detoitas Latviesu Koris) records

Latvian Chorus of Detroit (Detroitas Latviesu Koris) was founded in Autumn 1951. It has allways taken part in Latvan Song Festivals in Canada, in the U.S. In Europe, Latvan Song Festival is a phenomenon which still exists in Baltic countries. The first Latvian Song Festival was organized in 1873. It is usually held every five years, extends for a week, includes singing Latvian folk songs and choir songs by Latvian composers of the 19th century. After World War II there were two branches of Latvian Song Festival - one continued to develop in Soviet Latvia, the other in Latvian exile. Latvian Chorus of Detroit gave concerts to the local Latvian community in Detroit and in its surroundings. The initial years of choir life were most successful. A lot of Latvians were choir members, so the number increased steadily. Hard times came when the first conductor of the choir - Peteris Banders died in 1962. Although the choir lost some members it continued to work under the leadership of Roberts Zuiks (1964-1967). But in 1971 the number of members was so low that the choir disbanded. Already in 1972 the choir restarted its work with a new conductor - Vallija Mellina. She was not able to serve for long because of her job duties. Anna Bei(o?)dze became the new conductor. However, the number of choir members continued to decrease. The last contuctor and board president of the choir was Mirdza Undenans. From 1973 to 1981 there were just a few members of the choir. The last choir performance was in 1978, when 10 choir members participated in the Song Feltival in Boston. The choir ceased to exist on November 23,1987.