Professor, Department of Composition, Head of Department of Orchestra Conducting

Andris Vecumnieks was born on June 7th, 1964, in Riga. He studied with Ģederts Ramans at the Latvian State Conservatory (1987), later at the Latvian Academy of Music with Pēteris Plakidis – master’s degree in composition (1992) – and master’s studies in the Stockholm Royal College of Music with Sven-David Sandström (1993). In recent years Andris Vecumnieks has gained recognition for his conducting work – he graduated the Opera and Symphonic Orchestra Conducting Class of Viesturs Gailis (2001).

He has been a teacher at the Emils Dārziņš College of Music for many years, taking on many important administrative roles, including being the director of the teaching department and theory department (1991–1999), the role of school director (1998–1999). At this time he is a teacher at the Latvian Academy of Music (associate professor); he has been a pro-rector in academic work (2002-2008). As of 2000, Andris Vecumnieks is the conductor of the Emils Dārziņš College of Music and the Latvian Academy of Music Symphony Orchestras. He works with the Latvian National Symphony Orchestra and directs the chamber orchestra Sinfonia Concertante.

Together with the Emils Dārziņš College of Music Orchestra and the Riga School of Choreography, he performed the Herman Severin Løvenskiold ballet La Sylphide at the Latvian National Opera (2001), performed with the Dārziņš Orchestra in Latvia as well as in Sweden. He was the lead orchestra conductor at the international competition Unga Artisten (Sweden) in 2000 and 2001. He has taken part in international composition competitions, and was a laureate in choir and chamber music competitions in Latvia. He was an award winner at the 4th Sergei Prokofiev International Conducting Competition (St. Petersburg, 2003).