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 SkapienėFolk 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, AustriaMarch 2007 – Italy, AustriaMarch 2008 – Germany, Belgium, the NetherlandsAugust 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 GermanyMay 2010 – PolandOctober 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 placeJuly 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 placeJuly 2005 – International music festival-competition "El Festival Internacional de Musica de Cantonigros" in Cantonigros (Spain), 4th placeOctober 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 placeApril 2010 – International children's choir competition "Il Garda In Coro" in Italy, diplomaApril 2011 – International choir festival-competition "47'e Montreux Choral Festival" in Switzerland, 3rd placeMay 2012 – International children's choir competition "Moscow Sounds" 2012 in Russia, 3rd place 