Celebrating 65 Years of Musical Excellence: The Jurmala Music High School
The Jurmala Music High School is celebrating a significant milestone – 65 years of fostering musical talent and contributing too LatviaS vibrant cultural landscape. From humble beginnings in 1960 with five educators and 25 students, under the guidance of founder and long-time director andrejs Upmach, the school has grown into one of the largest music schools in Latvia.
A week of celebratory concerts marked the anniversary, culminating in a gala event on October 18th at 16:00 featuring the concert ”Encouraged in Music.” The festivities included performances by students from the choir and vocal art programs on October 15th at 18:00, and a concert showcasing the talents of students from the String Instruments department on October 16th at 18:00.
The gala concert featured pupils, educators, and alumni from the school’s choirs, ensembles, and orchestras. A highlight of the program was the premiere of “Jurmala,” a new fantasy for piano and chamber or percussion instruments composed by Leo Lobrev, a Jurmala Music High School graduate, specifically for the school’s anniversary. The piece was performed by pianist Ilana Makarina, also a school graduate and educator, alongside her students. The concert also included works by composers connected to the school, including Richard Dubra, Andris Baloz, Ilze Arne, and Kristine Dmitrijev.
The school’s growth has been significantly aided by the Dubulti Cultural Quarter Project, initiated by the Jurmala Municipality. This project brought together the Jurmala Art School, Jurmala Central Library, and the Jurmala Music high School in a new, state-of-the-art facility. The new building boasts 45 classrooms and a 400-seat acoustic concert hall, providing unprecedented opportunities for music education. This concert hall is considered a vital part of the Jurmala community, offering a diverse program of free concerts including student performances, collaborations with other music schools, and appearances by Latvian and internationally renowned musicians.
Today, the Jurmala Music High School serves 603 students with a dedicated team of 93 educators. The school’s success is attributed to the strong collaboration between teachers and the management team, led by the school’s headmaster.
The school’s impact extends far beyond it’s walls. Many graduates continue thier musical education at the Jāzeps Vītols Latvian Academy of Music and other European music universities. A significant portion of the school’s teaching staff are themselves former students, demonstrating a strong cycle of growth and mentorship. The school proudly counts numerous triumphant musicians among its alumni, including violinists Raimonds Ozols, Vineta Sareika, Elīna Bukša, and Paula Schuman; singer Evija Martinson; and pianist Jānis Maleckis – all recognized figures in Latvian and international music scenes.
