Andris Poga

Andris Poga graduated from Jāzeps Vītols Latvian Academy of Music in 2004 with a degree in trumpet performance and concert band conducting, having completed his studies with Pēteris Kaldre and Jānis Puriņš; in 2007, Poga graduated from Professor Viesturs Gailis' Class of Symphony Orchestra Conducting. In 2004 and 2005 he perfected his skills of symphony orchestra conducting at the Vienna Academy of Music with Professor Uroš Lajovic, additionally attending conducting masterclasses taught by Mariss Jansons, Seiji Ozawa and Leif Segerstam. Alongside his musical studies, between 2000 and 2004, Andris Poga read philosophy at the Latvian University. In 1999, Andris Poga founded the Konsonanse chamber choir which is now regularly appearing at the largest Latvian concert venues, also performing in Spain and Finland and entering festivals in Ukraine and Germany.

From 2007, Andris Poga holds the posts of artistic director and principal conductor of the Rīga concert band; during his tenure, Poga has significantly expanded the traditional "field" of a wind band, regularly appearing in concert at the Greater Guild Hall and other concert venues in Riga, both constantly enriching the repertory with musical pieces originally written and arranged specifically for a symphonic band (the list of the most significant compositions interpreted by the Riga concert band includes Carmina Burana by Carl Orff, Feste Romane by Ottorino Respighi, Carmen Suite by Georges Bizet/Rodion Shchedrin and Bolero by Maurice Ravel) and encouraging Latvian composers to write new music for the specific type of band. For the 2009/2010 concert season, first performances of pieces by Vilnis Šmīdbergs, Nic Gotham and Ilona Breģe are scheduled. In 2007 and 2008 the conductor and the band recorded two albums: Priecīgus Ziemassvētkus! Merry Christmas! and Windstream; the former was nominated for the 2007 Latvian Music Recording Award.....

Link to Official  Website