For the First Time — 12 Choir Ensembles on One Stage!

On May 17, the Republican Choir Competition “Dostuk” concluded in Bishkek. The event was organized by the Ministry of Culture, Information, Sports and Youth Policy of the Kyrgyz Republic.

For the first time in history, 12 choir ensembles came together on one stage to perform world classical works and traditional Kyrgyz songs — all live, creating a truly historic moment for choral music in Kyrgyzstan.

The competition featured 10 official participating choirs and had a prize fund of 1 million soms. Among the participants were:

Music and Pedagogy Faculty of Osh State Pedagogical University

Departments of “Music and Singing” and “Choral Conducting” of B. Beishenalieva KSMU

I. Arabaev Kyrgyz State University

Kyrgyz National Conservatory named after Kaly Moldobasanov

The “Archa” People's Choir, composed of WWII and labor veterans

Faculty of Arts of Osh State University

Women’s and Mixed Choirs of M. Kurenkeev Kyrgyz State College of Music

“Barchyn” Cappella Choir

The competition was held to promote choral art, introduce the public to choral creativity and vocal mastery, build new creative connections, and facilitate exchange of experience among choirs from different institutions and backgrounds.