Ugnelė (translation: little fire) is a children's and youth choir in Vilnius (Lithuania), founded in 1954 as the folk song and dance ensemble "Ugnelė".
1999–present Valerija Skapienė
Folk and dance ensemble "Ugnelė" was founded in 1954 and for a long time choir "Ugnelė" was a part of it. Since 2010 the choir runs separately in J. Tallat-Kelpša's Higher Music School, Vilnius.
"Ugnelė" comprises about 50 choristers 6 to 18 years old. The choir is separated into two groups: main group for 10- to 18-year-old students and preparatory group for 6- to 10-year-old children.
The choir participates in many festivals and competitions both in Lithuania and abroad. It is a constant participant of Lithuanian Song and Dance Celebration, festivals "Sodauto", "Mes Lietuvos vaikai" (translation: We Are the Children of Lithuania), "Dainų Mozaika" (translation: Mosaic of Songs), "Cantemus". Choir "Ugnelė" travels all around the world, aside from many countries in Europe, it has been to Turkey and South Korea.
Tours and festivals
November–December 2003 – Samara (Russia)
April 2004 – International festival of folk music in Istanbul (Turkey)
April 2006 – Czech Republic, Austria
March 2007 – Italy, Austria
March 2008 – Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands
August 2008 – "International Junior Art Festival" in Gangneung (South Korea)
April 2009 – International festival of children's choirs "8‘emes Rencontres Internationales de Choeurs d‘Enfants" in Provence (France)
September 2009 – International festival of youth choirs and orchestras "Eurotreff" in Germany
May 2010 – Poland
October 2010 – International festival "Friedenstage" in St. Johanner (Austria)
Competitions and Awards
March 2002 – 1st children's and youth festival-competition "Mes Lietuvos vaikai" (We Are the Children of Lithuania) in Klaipėda (Lithuania), 1st place
July 2002 – International music festival-competition "Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod" in Llangollen (Great Britain)
April 2004 – 2nd children's and youth festival-competition "Mes Lietuvos vaikai" (We Are the Children of Lithuania) in Klaipėda (Lithuania), 2nd place
July 2005 – International music festival-competition "El Festival Internacional de Musica de Cantonigros" in Cantonigros (Spain), 4th place
October 2007 – 16th international choir competition of Stasys Šimkus in Klaipėda (Lithuania)
April 2008 – 3rd children's and youth festival-competition "Mes Lietuvos vaikai" (We Are the Children of Lithuania) in Klaipėda (Lithuania), 1st place
April 2010 – International children's choir competition "Il Garda In Coro" in Italy, diploma
April 2011 – International choir festival-competition "47'e Montreux Choral Festival" in Switzerland, 3rd place
May 2012 – International children's choir competition "Moscow Sounds" 2012 in Russia, 3rd place
