Vytautas Miskinis (born in 1954) is the Artistic Director of the Azuoliukas Boys’ and Men Choir, Professor of Choral conducting at the Lithuanian Academy of Music and President of the Lithuanian Choral Union. Graduated as Choral Conductor from Lithuanian Academy of Music in 1976 .
He began his career in Azuoliukas at the age of seven as a vocalist, and continued as Artistic Director from the age of 25. All the achievements of the choir from 1979 have been due to Mr.Miskinis’ leadership.
For several years he conducted the Kaunas State Choir and Vocal Ensemble Museum Musicum. With the choirs he has won prestigious prizes at numerous National and International competitions – in Marktoberdorf, Gorizia, Varna, Maribor, Tampere, Mainhausen, Nantes. Currently Mr.Miskinis is an Artistic Director and Chief Conductor of the All-Lithuanian Choir Festival.
Vytautas Miskinis has led the choral performances in Austria, Byelorussia, Belgium, Canada, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Japan, Latvia, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Russia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the Ukraine and USA. A number of large scale compositions for choir with Symphony Orchestras have been conducted by Vytautas Miskinis.
He also lectured and held seminars on subject of Musical education and conducting in Lithuania and abroad – in the Czech Republic, Korea, Latvia, Russia, Slovenia, Spain, Singapore, Italy, Poland, Philippines and etc. He has participated in numerous National and International choral events as composer and advisor. He also has led workshops on Europa Cantat XII in Herning, Denmark and Europa Cantat XIV in Nevers, France, Europa Cantat XV in Barcelona, Spain; Choralies XVI in Vaison la Romaine, Briancon, France, in Segovia, Tolosa, Burgos, Mursia Spain; in Ljubljana, Slovenia, Harelbecke, the Netherlands; Yakutsk, Republic Sakha; Russia; Rimini,Italy; Graz, Goldegg,Austria; Singapore , Philippines etc.
Mr.Miskinis worked as a member of Jury at International Choir and Choral Composition Competitions in Tolosa, Spain; Marktoberdorf, Lindenholzhausen, Mainhausen and Bochum, Germany; Neerpelt and Kortrijk, Belgium; Maribor, Slovenia; Tallinn and Tartu, Estonia; Riga, Latvia; Budapest and Debrecen, Hungary; Aalst, Belgium; Arezzo,Rimini, Roma Italy; Manila, Philippines; Choir Olympic Linz 2000; Austria; Choir Olympic Busan 2002 Korea; Choir Olympic Bremen 2004 Germany; Suwalki, Gdansk, Poland; World Choir Games Xiamen 2006, China; Bergen, Norway; Tours,France; World Choir Games Graz 2008, Austria;World Choir Games Shaoxing, China 2010; World Choir Games Cincinnati 2012, USA; Neuchatel, Switzerland; Tonen-2000 Festival, Netherlands; etc.
Vytautas Miskinis has composed aprox. 300 religious motets a’cappella, 18 Masses, Magnificat , Cantatas, Musicals and aprox.400 of secular songs , which are performed by choirs throughout Lithuania and worldwide. Lithuanian and foreign choirs record his compositions to CD. A lot of compositions are published in Lithuania and a number of sacred also in France, Germany, Slovenia, Italy, Spain, Japan, Latvia and USA.
A several times Vytautas Miskinis were awarded by National and Governmental prizes., twice nominated as the „Author of the year“ , also were awarded the Enlightened Person of Lithuania in 2006.