The Estonian Television Girls’ Choir, which emerged from the ETV Children’s Program Music Studio in the early 1990s under the leadership of Aarne Saluveer, has become one of Estonia’s most important cultural ambassadors in the world. Unlike conventional choirs, the ETV Girls’ Choir, thanks to its television origins, has a unique ability to combine high-level vocal art with visual and stage expressiveness.
The choir also serves as a pedagogical springboard from which a whole generation of well-known musicians has emerged (e.g. Lenna Kuurmaa, Nele-Liis Vaiksoo, Hanna-Liina Võsa).
The choir’s musical identity is unique, combining ancient Estonian regila (works by Veljo Tormis, e.g. “Absoluutne Tormis”) with modern vocal technique and sacred minimalism (works by Arvo Pärt).
The choir’s discography, which includes albums such as “Ring on täis” and “For Music”, captures the choir’s unique, rhythmic and “undiscovered acoustic” sound.
International success and recognition
The choir’s history is adorned with victories in the world’s most prestigious competitions, which proved that a youth choir can compete with top adult ensembles.
2001: Grand Prix and Best Female Choir in Gorizia The choir won the main prize in all categories at the Seghizzi International Choir Competition (Italy), confirming its place at the top of the world.
2002: Nomination for the European Choral Music Grand Prix (EGP)
2005: “Let the Peoples Sing” 1st Prize in the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) radio-based competition in the Youth category, highlighting the choir’s exceptional sound quality.
2012: Guidoneum Award A prestigious recognition from the Guido d’Arezzo Foundation, given to Aarne Saluveer and the choir for their lifelong contribution to choral music.
2017: Represented Estonia at the first Eurovision Choir of the Year competition in Riga, where their shamanistic performance introduced Estonian choral culture to millions of TV viewers.
Important Collaborations and Carrying the Legacy
The choir’s sound is characterized by versatility, ranging from ancient regilaul to contemporary jazz. The cornerstone of their artistic identity is their deep collaboration with great figures of Estonian music:
Arvo Pärt: The choir has earned the composer’s trust to perform complex works. Of significant significance is the world premiere of Pärt’s “Peace Upon You, Jerusalem” in New York, which is dedicated to this choir and Aarne Saluveer.
Veljo Tormis: The choir is one of the main bearers of Tormis’ legacy, often performing his regilaul-based creations in a theatrical and choreographic manner (e.g. the program “Absolute Tormis”).
Modern direction: The choir also masterfully performs pop and jazz music, collaborating with artists such as Villu Veski, Tõnis Mägi and Dave Benton.
Cultural diplomacy and premieres
The choir has acted as an active bearer of the “soft power” of the Estonian state, touring the United States (including performances at Lincoln Center and Stanford University), Israel and most European countries:
Eurovision: Representation at the first Eurovision Choir of the Year event in Riga (2017), presenting “Absolute Storm” with a new entertainment concept.
Representation of the Estonian brand: Integrated into the 2002 Eurovision Song Contest broadcast, introducing choral music to a wide television audience.
In summary
The ETV Girls’ Choir, combining tradition, conservatory rigor, and media awareness, is a youth choir that has repeatedly proven its international high level and continues to be a vibrant voice of the Estonian singing people.