Peeter Perens

b. 17.11.1971 Tallinn

Peeter Perens began choir conducting studies at Georg Ots Tallinn Music School under the guidance of Silvia Mellik. In 1995 Perens graduated from Estonian Music Academy on choir conducting under the guidance of Kuno Areng and 2001 on opera singing with Mati Palm and Virgilijus Noreika.

In 1996–2000 Perens was conductor of Pärnu Music School Orchestra and 1997–1998 singer of Estonian National Opera Chorus. In 2003–2004 he was choir conducting pedagogue at Viljandi Culture Academy and continues since 2004 at Georg Ots Tallinn Music School (since 2007 head of choir conducting department).

Peeter Perens has been conductor of several choirs. In 1993 he was one of founders of  Mixed Choir of Estonian Society and was conductor of the choir until 1999. The choir has won silver diploma at international contest in  Czech Republic,  Litomyšlis (1994) and II prize at international choir festival „Tallinn 94“. In 1999–2002 Peeter Perens was conductor of Mixed Choir Endla and won with the choir silver diploma at international contest in Zwickhaus (2002). In 1996–2010 Perens conducted Tallinn University of Technology Chamber Choir. The choir has gained recognition at several international contests as gold and silver diploma in Budapest (1999), silver diploma  in Italy, Riva del Garda (1998) and I prize in Netherland, Veldhoven (2004). The choir has released CD „Life under the Northern Sky“ (2006).

Since 2003 Peeter Perens is principal conductor of the Academic Male Choir of Tallinn University of Technology. The choir has won prizes at several contests as III prize at  Choir Competition of Estonian Male Choir's Association in A-category (2003) and I prize at the same contest in 2013. The choir has released several CD-s, latest entitled „Oh laulgem südamest“ („To Sing With All Your Heart“, 2013).

Peeter Perens has longtime collaboration with Estonian song celebrations. In 2007 Perens was principal conductor of mixed choirs at X Youth Song and Dance Celebration „Ilmapuu lävel“  („On the Doorstep of the World Tree“) and also principal conductor of young men choirs at XI Youth Song and Dance Celebration „Maa ja ilm“ („The Wide World Begins in a Small Land"). In 2009 Perens conducted male choirs at XXV Song Celebration „ÜhesHingamine“ („To Breathe as One“) and will conduct male choirs also at XXVI Song Celebration „Aja puudutus. Puudutuse aeg“ (“Touched by Time. The Time to Touch”). He also will be conductor and one of artistic directors of XVII Baltic States Students Song and Dance Festival "Gaudeamus" in 2014.

Peeter Perens has performed as a bass soloist at large-scales as Johann Sebastian Bach’s St Matthew Passion, Felix Mendelssohn’s The First Walpurgis Night and Marc-Antoine Charpentier’s Te Deum. Peeter Perens belongs to  Association of Estonian Choral Conductors (2004). In 2005 he was awarded Estonian Choral Association annual prize „Young Conductor of the Year“ and in 2006 Annual Prize of the Estonian Cultural Endowment.

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