The ‘Veni Gaudere’ Academic Singing Studio (formerly a choir) at the Kaunas Faculty of Vilnius University, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, was founded in 2006 on the initiative of its Art Director, Adelė Mikalkėnienė. The name ‘Veni Gaudere’, when translated from Latin, means ‘we have come to rejoice’. The same could be said of the singers at the Singing Studio!
The singers of ‘Veni Gaudere’ perform at international festivals, give concerts in various cities across Lithuania and abroad, and have been recognised at a number of international competitions. In 2011 and 2015, the Singing Studio won gold diplomas at the ‘Kaunas Cantat’ international competition; in 2016, at the S. Šimkus International Competition, it won a first-class diploma and third place in the equal-voice category. In 2017, at the international ‘Canto Mediterrania’ competition in Spain, they won gold diplomas in two categories: sacred and folk music, as well as the competition’s GRAND PRIX!
In 2018, the choir gave a concert in Japan, and in the same year the ‘Veni Gaudere’ ensemble was awarded a gold diploma and a special jury prize ‘For a Unique Sound Culture’ at the ‘Cantu Gaudeamus’ competition (in Białystok, Poland). In 2023, at the ‘Vox Maris’ International Competition for Women’s Choirs and Ensembles (in Klaipėda), they were awarded a first-place diploma and a special prize for ‘Best Performance of a Contemporary Work’.
The repertoire of ‘Veni Gaudere’ consists mainly of contemporary works by Lithuanian and foreign composers, as well as arrangements of folk songs. Since its founding, the Singing Studio has cultivated the a cappella genre (without instrumental accompaniment) and, through its performances, invites listeners to experience the beauty of pure vocal sound.
This year, the Singing Studio is organising anniversary concerts in Lithuania and invites you to follow their updates on Facebook and Instagram.
The Art Director of the Singing Studio – Adelė Mikalkėnienė.
Phone: +370 613 96571
E-mail: and
