On January 29, Estonian Choral Association handed over its annual prizes in traditional concert-ceremony in Estonia Concert Hall. The conductor of the year is Aarne Saluveer (conductor of the Estonian Television Girls’ Choir and artistic director of Youth Song Celebration 2007). The choir of the year is girls’ choir Ellerhein (conductor Tiia-Ester Loitme) and male choir Forestalia (conductors Alo Ritsing and Ilmar Johansson). Prizewinners were selected among 71 nominees by music council of Estonian Choral Association.
The conductor-music teacher of the year is Ave-Maria Sild, young conductor of the year is Maarja Soone. Eesti Noorte Brass [Estonian Youth Brass] (conductors Aavo Ots, Valdo Rüütlemaa and Priit Sonn) was selected as the wind orchestra of the year and Valdo Rüütlemaa as the orchestra conductor of the year. Sponsors of the year are city of Tallinn, Rapla Parish Government and Kalev Ltd. Deed of the year is Youth Song celebration “World tree” and the organizers of the year are Aet Maatee (organizer of the Youth Song and Dance Celebration “On the Doorstep of the World Tree”) and Riho Leppoja (organizer of Estonian Mixed Choir Society’s events in Tartu). Tha choral music CD of the year is “Luule, see ei tule tuulest” performed by Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir.