The search for a chairperson of the Song Festival’s organizing committee continued for about a year. In May, 2004, the Lithuanian American Council announced that Dr. Audrius Polikaitis would be chairman of the organizing committee, Rita Čyvaitė-Kliorienė – the artistic director, and the Eighth Lithuanian Song Festival would take place in 2006 in Chicago, Il.

Almost immediately, two main committees were formed: the organizing committee, led by Dr. Audrius Polikaitis, and the artistic committee, with Rita Kliorienė at the forefront. The scope of responsibilities of the organizing committee included fundraising, support for the artistic program, publishing the Song Festival’s program book, accomodations, evening entertainment, transportation for choirs/audience members, and advertising/marketing of the Song Festival itself. Dr. Polikaitis, well aware of the breadth of his job, invited the following people with various skill sets to be members of the organizing committee: Dainė Jablonskytė, Linas Gylys, Tadas Birutis, Tadas Glavinskas, Daina Matusaitienė, Dainė Quinn, Eglė Laniauskienė, Vaiva Marchertienė, Vytas Čuplinskas, Jonas Korsakas, Marius Polikaitis, Laura Lapinskienė, Taiyda Chiapetta, Lukas Laniauskas, nSJ, Kristina Žvinakytė, and Rima Zigaitytė. Every member of this committee played an important role in the overall success of the Song Festival. Because of their dedication and competence, buses were on time, visitors were well cared for, the evening programs were uplifting, the program book was an interesting souvenir, and the Eighth Lithuanian Song Festival was a memorable achievement. It should be noted that every committee member worked on a voluntary basis, sacrificing their time and creative energy for a common goal. The organizing committee, with precise attention to detail, accomplished their jobs professionally and admirably.

Dr. Polikaitis also invited Lithuanian Canadians to create their own organizing committee, which would oversee Canadian choir registrations, fundraising, repertoire books, etc. This committee’s members were: Nijolė Benotienė, Algirdas Nausėdas, Ramunė Stravinskienė, Algirdas Vaičiūnas, and Dalia Viskontienė.

The artistic committee, as mentioned before, was led by Rita Čyvaitė-Kliorienė. This committee was responsible for the Song Festival program and all its music-related peripheries: repertoire selections, structure and printing of repertoire books for all choir participants, orchestrations, selection of orchestra members, communications with leaders of all participating choirs, mp3 recordings of the different voice types for learning via the internet, etc. Members of the artistic committee included Darius Polikaitis, Dalia Skrinskaitė-Viskontienė, Faustas Strolia (chairman of the North American Lithuanian Musical Society), Nijolė Benotienė (media liaison), and Lilija Gelažis and Siga Mikoliūnaitė, who were in charge of the visual effects, parade of choir directors, the Song Festival flag, etc.

Every choir director of each participating choir played a significant part in the success of the Eighth Song Festival. They shouldered the responsibilities of teaching the chosen repertoire to their members, and either delegating or themselves taking care of the registration, purchasing required apparel for the Song Festival, organizing practices, etc. For all this Rita Kliorienė was especially grateful, and in turn focused much energy on open communication with choir directors through emails, telephone conversations, and visits to various cities to personally hear the choirs.

One of the organizing committee’s first tasks was to secure a venue for the 2006 Lithuanian Song Festival. The chosen place was the pavilion at the University of Illinois – Chicago (UIC), which had a seating capacity of 10,000 and allowed for an unlimited number of singers. Both the artistic director and organizing committee chairman wanted a venue where the participants could see the entire Song Festival from beginning to end, not having to wait behind the scenes and only coming in to sing their designated songs. They felt this was especially important for the youth choirs. The pavilion at UIC was well suited for this vision.

Once Rita Kliorienė took the artistic reins of the Eighth Lithuanian Song Festival, she knew she wanted to meet as many choir directors as possible and review the repertoire with them. Thus, a weekend seminar was organized August 18-21, 2005 at Camp Dainava, in Manchester, Michigan, to which all choir directors were invited. Dalia Viskontienė planned the seminar program, and Rusnė Kasputienė was responsible for the food and lodging.

R. Kliorienė took the initiave to have every voice part for every repertoire song pre-recorded and available to listen to/learn from on the Song Festival’s internet website. Darius Polikaitis was reponsible for this time-consuming project. He enlisted Kristina Kliorytė and Rima Polikaitytė-Birutienė to sing the female voice parts. The accessibility for choir singers to all the pre-recorded music parts: their rhythms, tempo, and interpretation, was critical to the success of the Song Festival performance. Per R. Kliorys, these pre-recordings were the “glue” that allowed over 1,000 singers to perform songs in unison.

Though most of the repertoire songs were selected from a list of published works or Lithuanian folk songs, four pieces were written specifically for this Song Festival:

• “Atsiliepk Daina” (“Answer with a Song”), music by Rita Kliorienė, lyrics – Nijolė Puranaitė-Benotienė
• “Skanu” (“Tastes Good!”), music and lyrics by Kęstutis Daugirdas
• “Šokių ir Dainų Sonetas III” (“Dance and Song Sonata III”), music by Faustas Strolia, lyrics – Anatolijus Kairys
• “Giesmė Naujajai Žemei” (“Hymn to the New Land”), music by Giedrius Svilainis, lyrics – Nijolė Kersnauskaitė
• Viktoras Ralys also wove seven songs into a musical medley, called “Tai Smagu Lauke per Lietų” (“It’s Fun Outside in the Rain”) for the Song Festival’s youth choirs.

The conductors for the Eighth Lithuanian Song Festival were:

• Renata Armalaitė
• Ilona Babinskienė
• Nijolė Puranaitė-Benotienė
• Gintarė Bukauskienė
• Jūratė Grabliauskienė
• Deimantė Grigutienė
• Birutė Jašinskienė
• Rimantas Kasputis
• Rita Čyvaitė-Kliorienė
• Jūratė Lukminienė
• Birutė Mockienė
• Raimundas Obalis
• Darius Polikaitis
• Viktoras Ralys
• Alexandre Stankevičius
• Faustas Strolia
• Lilija Turūtaitė
• Alfonsas Vildžiūnas
• Dalia Skrinskaitė-Viskontienė

While preparing for the Song Festival, R. Kliorienė worked closely with the Lithuanian Folk Culture Center, led by Saulius Liausa. Mr. Liausa facilitated the commissioning of music by composers living in Lithuania, prepared their compositions for distribution, and arranged orchestrations for these works. This collaboration was very helpful and appreciated by the artistic director.

The Eighth Lithuanian Song Festival was enriched by the participation of two renowned choirs from Lithuania: the Jesuit High School choir from Vilnius, led by Leonidas Abaris, and the co-ed choir “Aukuras” from Klaipėda, led by Alfonsas Vildžiūnas. These choirs not only performed in the actual Song Festival, but also gave separate concerts on days prior to the Festival and contributed their voices at Holy Mass. The St. Casimir Parish choir from London, England, led by Virgilijus Vaitkus, also participated in this Song Festival.

The Eighth Lithuanian Song Festival – “Answer with a Song”

The Festival unofficially began Friday, June 30th, with a dinner for all the choir directors. It was organized by Dr. Audrius Polikaitis and Rita Kliorienė in gratitude to the directors for preparing their choirs for the Song Festival. After dinner many of the participants went to a concert performed by “Aukuras” from Klaipėda, Lithuania. The next morning, Saturday, July 1st, all the singers gathered at the UIC pavilion for the grand rehearsal. The rehearsal started at 8:00 a.m. and ended at 5:00 p.m. Considering it was a long day for all involved, the unending enthuasiasm of the singers, the professionalism of the conductors, and the ability by organizers to run rehearsal within tight time constraints were a pleasant surprise. Saturday night, a vocal group from Lithuania, “Jazz Land”, led by Artūras Novikas, performed in a local Chicago hall to the delight of many who had come for the Song Festival. This, and the “get acquainted” mingling that followed, were aptly organized by Marius Polikaitis. Sunday, July 2nd, began with 9:00 a.m. Holy Mass in one of the massive auditorium rooms at the hotel, and by 2:00 p.m. everyone was ready for the start of the main event – the Eighth Lithuanian Song Festival.

In a designated area of the UIC pavilion, over 1150 singers from 52 choirs took their seats. On several big screens, an introduction of all the choirs could be seen. Announcers Eglė Laniauskienė and Arūnas Čiuberkis introduced each choir and its director in alphabetical order while pictures of each choir’s members graced the screens. Loud applause and encouraging shouts of support could be heard after each introduction. The Song Festival’s orchestra, conducted by Darius Polikaitis, tastefully played marching music in the background of the choir introductions, further enhancing the enthusiasm already felt in the air. After the choirs were introduced via screens, the American, Canadian, and Lithuanian national flags were carried in, followed by the parade of choir directors and the Festival’s conductors.

The Song Festival’s program was divided by themes, for which corresponding songs were performed and related scenes visualized on the big screens.

“Ačiū Tau, Prigimtie” (“Thank you, My Heritage”) was the first theme of the program. The American, Canadian, and Lithuanian national anthems, a prayer – “Už Lietuvą, Tėvynę Motiną” (“For Lithuania, the Motherland”), (composer – J. Govėdas, lyrics by A. Paulavičius), and a patriotic song “Lietuva, brangi šalele” (“Lithuania, a Treasured Land”) (music and lyrics by V. Vydūnas), started the Eighth Song Festival. At this point, the Festival’s flag was carried in and raised above the performers, where it served as a scenic backdrop throughout the Festival.

Next, the President of the Republic of Lithuania, Valdas Adamkus, stressed in his opening remarks that through song a country shows the world that it is still alive. After his remarks, President Adamkus decorated retired Metropolitan Opera soloist, Algirdas Brazis, with an order medal for his 31 years of service in the Chicago Lithuanian Opera Company.

Dr. Audrius Polikaitis, chairman of the organizing committee, shared his delight in seeing so many people in the audience, thanked all who contributed financially and/or through volunteerism, and then invited the artistic director, Rita Kliorienė, to conduct her composition of the Festival’s theme song “Atsiliepk Daina” (“Answer with a Song”) (lyrics by N. Benotienė).

The female singers, wearing flowy shades-of-blue capes, held similarly colored songbooks in their hands; the Festival flag, created by Ričardas and Aušrinė Širvinskas, incorporated these same colors. On the flag: blue, purple, and green color hues symbolizing the Atlantic ocean, which separates Lithuania and North America; a blue sky, which unites the two lands; and symbols of music, which brought everyone together for this Song Festival.

R. Kliorienė incorporated into the repertoire six songs for audience participation; after all, everyone attending was called to “answer with a song”. Those songs lyrics were printed in the souvenir program and also projected on the big screens in the pavilion. In the second half, the song “Gražių Dainelių” (“Beautiful Songs”) (music by A. Vanagaitis, lyrics by V. Stonys), was especially impressive as the performers and audience members joined voices in its singing. A folk song “Augo Putins” (“The Snowball Tree Grew”), was performed by the youth choirs and accompanied by a youth ensemble playing panpipes. The playful song, “Ta Ta To”, composed by Nijolė Sinkevičiūtė, was an example of works by composers currently living in Lithuania.

Another theme for songs performed in this Festival was titled “Uždek, Motule, Žvakelę” (“Light a Candle, Mother”), dedicated to Lithuania’s history and all who fought for its freedom. Especially moving was the popular folk song “Kaip Verkiančio Smuiko” (“Like a Weeping Violin”) (harmonization by R. Kliorienė, orchestrated by K. Daugėla), sung in unison by performers and audience members. During this song, the pavilion was darkened, and the audience was asked to turn on the small flashlights passed out upon entrance into the Festival. The melancholy words, about a mother’s eternal sorrow for her sons who sacrificed their lives fighting for Lithuania’s freedom, no doubt evoked deep emotions. The sparkles of light and the song’s words were poignant reminders that such sacrifices will never be forgotten. An aura of respect and hope could be felt throughout the pavilion.

The final theme of songs in the first half of the program was titled “Norėčiau Prisijaukinti Sakalą Gintarinėm Akim” (“Taming a Falcon with Eyes of Amber”). This phrase, taken from a song, speaks about the longing for 50 years by emigrants to return, like falcon birds, to a free Lithuania. With the goal of independence now accomplished, several songs were performed that expressed the joy of this freedom, the love for Lithuania, and the gratitude to God for His many blessings upon this tiny nation. The collaboration between composers in Lithuania and lyricists in North America on several songs in this Festival was further evidence of the spirit of unity felt between Lithuanians on both sides of the Atlantic.

The second half of the program began with youth choirs performing songs to the theme “Gražūs Vaikai Pelėdos” (“Pretty are the Owl’s Children”). Among several playful and humorous songs was a medley titled “Tai Smagu Lauke per Lietų” (“Fun Outside in the Rain”). This song medley included four original and three folk songs, with introductions and orchestral insertions written by Viktoras Ralys. During the youth choir performances, a dance ensemble visually interpreted some songs, and on the big pavilion screens children’s thematic drawings could be seen.

It should be noted that advertisement of the Eighth Lithuanian Song Festival was an ongoing process and included various methods. Aside from frequent articles in several Lithuanian newspapers about Festival preparations, choirs performed in their local communities, and children’s art competitions were held in Lithuanian Saturday Schools. In fact, drawings selected through these competitions were those projected on the big screens during the youth choir performances.

Lilija Gelažis and Siga Mikoliūnaitė were this Song Festival’s visual effects coordinators. Two dance ensembles were also integrated into the program: The Artistic Dance Theater group from Lemont, Illinois, led by Estera Lisauskienė and Sandra Krumhorn, and the Chicago Lithuanian Folk Dance group “Suktinis”, led by Salomėja and Vidmantas Strižigauskas.

Ten choirs composed of high school and college students participated in the Song Festival. Almost all were assembled for this sole purpose and participated with infectious enthusiasm. Among this group of choirs was the Jesuit High School choir from Vilnius, Lithuania. Songs designated for these choirs, under the theme “Su Tavim aš per Pasaulį Platų” (“With You I Travel the World”), were performed by the mixed choir, the women’s choir, and the all-male choir. A popular modern song, “Keleiviai” (“The Travelers”), composed by Darius Polikaitis (lyrics by B. Brazdžionis), was sung by the all-male choir and received an especially loud ovation.

A festive spirit, the smiling faces of the performers, and strong musical voices blended in beautiful harmony throughout the Song Festival. The final theme of songs, titled “Tegul Jungia Daina Vaikus Lietuvos” (“May Songs Unite All Children of Lithuania”), began with the performance of the beloved song, “Kur Giria Žaliuoja” (“The Green Forests”) (music by J. Gudavičius, lyrics by K. Sakalauskas-Vanagėlis), which describes Lithuania’s beautiful nature. A new composition, “Šokių ir Dainų Sonetas” (“Song and Dance Sonata”), (lyrics by A. Kairys, music by Faustas Strolia), was conducted by Dalia Viskontienė. The song “Viena Šeima, Viena Tauta” (“One Family, One Nation”), (lyrics by Nijolė Kersnauskaitė, music by Rita Kliorienė), was sung by the joint adult choir, conducted by A. Vildžiūnas, and captured the spirit of unity that Lithuanians feel no matter where they live in the world. The phrase “one family, one nation, united by our motherland Lithuania” resounded loudly and proudly within the walls of the pavilion.

The Eighth Lithuanian Song Festival culminated with a new composition, “Giesmė Naujajai Žemei” (“Hymn to the New Land”). Its music was written by Giedrius Svilainis, a composer living in Lithuania, to words written by an emigrant to America, Nijolė Kersnauskaitė. “…. The waves billowed, and the land answered…” – these are words from the final song which reflect feelings of gratitude toward foreign lands that have embraced Lithuanian emigrants throughout history and provided them refuge. The Song Festival itself could be viewed as symbolic of how a culture can remain alive in a “new land”.

This final song was conducted by the Song Festival’s artistic director, Rita Čyvaitė-Kliorienė. The audience, which was given small white kerchiefs upon entering the pavilion, was asked to wave them during the performance of this song. Some, however, were seen using the kerchiefs to wipe away tears, as the Song Festival tugged at deep emotions. As the final note echoed in the background, Rita Kliorienė and Dr. Audrius Polikaitis called to the main stage all the choir directors, the Festival’s conductors, members of the organizational and artistic committees, dance group leaders, and other significant contributors to the success of the Eighth Song Festival. With deep gratitude from the organizers, each received a commemorative sash, woven in Lithuania. The Festival flag was lowered and, along with a baton, was ceremoniously passed to the organizing committee chairpersons of the next Song Festival, Rasa and Paulius Kuras, and its artistic director, Dalia Viskontienė. The Ninth Lithuanian Song Festival is scheduled to take place in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

The Eighth Lithuanian Song Festival ended with a grand ball at the Chicago Sheraton Hotel and Towers. There, after dinner, impromptu singing to the sounds of several accordions could be heard, and many danced well into the night.

Information about the Song Festival “Answer with a Song” was distributed to many media outlets. Right from the start, an internet website was created where all pertinent information could be accessed by performers, audience members, financial donors. This website was well maintained and frequently updated.

Print media also played an important part in advertising and distributing information about the Eighth Lithuanian Song Festival. This team of journalists was led by Nijolė Benotienė. They wrote over 80 articles, introducing each choir, relaying quotes from choir members, sharing interviews with various committee members. Lithuanian newspapers “Tėviškės Žiburiai” – Kanada (“Lights of our Homeland” – Canada), “Amerikos Lietuvis” – Čikaga (“The American Lithuanian” – Chicago), and especially the daily Lithuanian newspaper “Draugas”- Čikaga (“Friend”-Chicago) graciously printed many articles presented to them about the Song Festival.

A DVD was of this event was also released, and the Song Festival was broadcast twice on television in Lithuania. A souvenir program, with Eglė Laniauskienė as chief editor, was given to all participants and made available to everyone attending the Festival. This publication included photographs and short descriptions of each participating choir, company ads, personal posts with best wishes, congratulatory letters from dignitaries, and a list of all financial donors. Special attention was called to Marija and Antanas Rudis, who donated over $10,000; other generous donors were the Lithuanian Foundation, Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, and the Bureau of Tourism and Emigration Department.

The Eighth Lithuanian Song Festival, titled “Answer with a Song”, which took place on July 1-2, 2006, in Chicago, Ill., was proof that the tradition of Song Festivals outside the boundaries of Lithuania was again alive and well. Though Lithuania has regained its independence, it is imperative to continue such traditions in North America to keep fostering the treasures of language, music, and song, which earlier generations brought over as they settled in new lands.

It is important to once again emphasize that the demanding artistic and organizational tasks required to organize a Song Festival were all done by selfless volunteers, who shared their knowledge and creativity, and sacrificed their precious free time. The organizers should also be commended for having faith that Lithuanians would financially support the Song Festival, as they started with very little seed money.

Any nation with strong leaders, teachers, and scientists is indeed blessed. Lithuanian emigrants in North America should also feel blessed that the right leaders emerged to revive Lithuanian Song Festivals. Rita Kliorienė and Dr. Audrius Polikaitis accomplished this seemingly impossible task. R. Kliorienė inspired choirs to form, especially in smaller Lithuanian communities, urged newer emigrants to join these choirs, and strenghtened the bond between choirs and choir directors in North America and Lithuania.

The history of Lithuanian emigrants in North America has been enriched by the Eighth Lithuanian Song Festival, which can be viewed as a symbol of vitality and hope. Songs have resounded for 50 years among emigrants; now we have “answered with a song”, and we will keep our culture alive through song!