The other day, the I International Singing Competition “Sandugach – Nightingale” organized by the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation and the Republic of Tatarstan in Kazan State University of Culture and Arts finished with a great success.

It was attended by more than 80 singers from Tatarstan and regions of the Russian Federation, having performed on nominations “academic solo singing “, “popular solo singing “, “pop solo singing. ” The jury presided by People’s Artiste of the Republic of Tatarstan and the Russian Federation Venera Ganeeva included also an outstanding composer, author of the famous opera, symphonic and chamber and instrumental works Rezeda Akhiyarova , a famous singer, People’s Artist of Tatarstan Rustam Malikov, a laureate of international singing competitions , teacher at the Moscow Pedagogical University Jiang Shanzhun , a laureate of international competitions , popular Austrian singer and composer Joseph Ivashka an experienced vocal coach Alina Glazkova and representatives of relevant institutions.

Contenders for the title winners – vocalists from Kazan, cities and regions of Tatarstan, Bashkortostan, Moscow , Samara, Saratov, Cheboksary, Kemerovo , Ulyanovsk regions – performed by age categories: Adolescent -15- 18, Youth – 19-25 years of age and senior age group. After the first day, the second round of the competition passed more than 30 participants, who in the second round competed for the title of laureates, special prizes and diplomas of various degrees.

At the gala-concert, there were 8 holders of highest award: Ajgul Akhmetshina ( Ufa), Maxim Karsakov (Cheboksary), Gulnara Baynazarova (Kazan) , Aleksandar Rybakov (Saratov) – nomination for “academic singing ” Gulsiren Abdullina (Elabuga) , Ildar Zhamalov, Gulsim Khilazheva (Bashkortostan) – nomination for ” folk singing”. Also, Ilnar Mirani (Kazan), recognized as the winner of the 1st degree in two nominations ” academic singing” and ” pop singing”, who had won a special prize for the best performance of songs from the repertoire of Venera Ganeeva.

The gala-concert has been conducted by a possessor of a wonderful operatic voice, topped with titles and audience love, well-known in Russia and Europe opera soloist and music critic Eduard Treskin . At this concert of winners, a foreign guest performed as well. His class showed a jury member, Professor of Vienna Conservatory – a popular singer and composer Joseph Ivashka. A final chord of a gala concert was the performance of the well-known work ” The Nightingale” ( muz. by Alyabev words by A.Delvig ) by the main character of the contest Venera Protassova (Kazan), who has been awarded the Grand Prix of the I International Vocal Competition, and a special prize of the Ministry of Culture of Tatarstan. She came to learn from the capital of Buryatia and received a diploma at the Kazan Conservatory, began working in the Opera and Ballet Theatre named after Musa Jalil. The jury believes that V.Protasova a promising performer, capable to reach the top in classic vocals.

Inspirer and author of the idea of the contest , head of Department of solo singing at the Kazan University of Culture and Arts Venera Ganeeva said that she is happy by fulfillment of her dreams on organization of this music festival. The combination of academic, folk singing and contemporary pop music in one concert , and sometimes in the repertoire of a single performer serves to increase vocal culture and promotion of folk and professional music. The contest helped to gather so different in manner of performance and age vocalists. All the participants evoked sympathy by their fanatical love of music, the desire to improve their skills. Mansur Sattarov from Kemerovo specially stitched a luxury national costume and it was touching to watch and listen to him, singing songs in English, Russian and Tatar in a beautiful skullcap. Zulfiya Sharifullina came from Bizhbulyaksky region of Bashkortostan with her boyanist and two costumes. Seeing how exited is a contestant while choosing a nomination and considering voice capacities of a young woman, Venera Akhatovna and other members of the jury believed her talent and sincerity. Then, she and other listeners had no idea that this is a ” voice trial” at the level International Competition of the woman from the distant Tatar village, the mother of five small children!..  One of diplomas contest deservedly went to far Bizhbulyak…

The organizing committee headed by the rector of Kazan University of Culture and Arts R.Yusupov for short term did a great job. Clearly, it was not easy to find funds for the contest. The organizers expressed their gratitude to the Ministry of Culture of Tatarstan, Culture Fund under the President of Tatarstan, the group of companies Avtolife, IntechBank , travel company VIS-TRAVEL, complex Tatar yard, Sanatorium “Livadia” and the Academy of Social Education , which helped raise the jury, participants, prepare prizes for the winners. First International Singing Competition in Kazan became a serious and touching fate of vocal fanatics.