Vecumnieki Music School: 'Draugi' - The Only Jazz-Symphony Orchestra in Latvia

All the photographs in this post are by Žanna Zālīte, editor in chief, publisher and reporter of "Vecumnieku Ziņas" (Vecumnieki News) - the paper of District Vecumnieki. Our family is grateful to Žanna for giving us these pictures.

Christmas time full of surprises. The string/woodwind orchestra Draugi of Vecumnieki Music And Art School (Vecumnieku Mūzikas un mākslas skola) were inviting the people of District Vecumnieki to a concert. What we saw there was far beyond our expectations.

We are happy and proud that our daughter Terēze Neliusa has been given the possibility to play shoulder to shoulder with these high level string virtuosos.

The dynamic string rendering of pieces from world's classic reinforced with the woodwinds and drums heated up the audience, and we got the feeling that they can carry away even those least inclined to listening in. The colorful rhythmical patterns were backing up the melody in a very skillful manner, and the musicians played their soul out.

The orchestra is led by two teachers - music fanatics - Solvita Loka and Aigars Dziļums.

Celebrated opera soloists and popular music stars were taking part in the concert making it unforgettable for the audience.