That’s how the members of the Carmen Manet choir, which “displayed the majestic power of choir singing”, remember the moment in Riga when the winner of the first Eurovision Choir of the Year competition was pronounced. Two members of the choir, Eva Krampl and Vita Peharc, were guests in MMC’s chat room and our readers were able to ask questions.
"We went to the Eurovision Choir of the Year competition totally relaxed, in search of new interesting experience. In the week prior to the competition we mostly focused on establishing positive and friendly ties among ourselves. When we first listened to the other choirs, they totally enthralled us. All of the choirs were well prepared, but we did not perceive them as competition. Our goal was to take part, not win. Before we went on stage the advice of Primož (the conductor of the choir) was to give it our very best and leave our hearts on the stage. We did just that and it was obviously enough to win. We didn’t expect victory, we didn’t even think or dream about it. All we wanted was to represent Slovenia in the best possible light," is what the two young singers said.

Took the Resian dialect into the world
The choir performed in Riga with music from the young Slovenian composers Samo Vovk and Katarina Pustinek Rakar. The composers wrote the songs, which include elements from the folk heritage of Slovenia and Resia, especially for the competition. The choir presented itself with two contrasting compositions - one was more lively while the other had a more serious tone. The choir’s conductor, Primož Kerštanj, and composer, Samo Vovk, also decided to include traditional throat singing, foot stomping and clapping. These elements, together with the choreography, proved to be very efficient, said the conductor. He, too, was surprised that they were able to convince the international jury. "We emanated a special kind of energy, there was magic on the stage," he explained.

As a reward the Carmen Manet choir will receive a recording contract, but more details about the project are not yet known. "The choir will first go on a well-deserved vacation. We’ll continue with our work in September. We will then decide about our new program and set goals for the future. But you will definitely be able to hear us at concerts at home, in Slovenia," said the two choir members, who just like their other colleagues from the choir, can no longer imagine a Sunday evening without their regular singing practice.

A. K.; translated by K. J.