ANDRIS ENIŅŠ

MUSICIAN, COMPOSER AND EDUCATOR

Andris Eniņš (born in 1946) is a musician, composer and educator from Liepāja whose professional and creative work has been closely connected with the city's cultural life and children's music education for many years.

He performed with the Liepāja Variety Orchestra, worked for the Latvian Society of the Blind, managed a cultural centre, founded the group “LUX” in 1990 and later became involved with “Spektrs”.

MUSIC FOR CHILDREN

Andris Eniņš began composing songs for children in 1983. His first was “Vilnīša cepurīte”, with lyrics by Māris Reinbergs.

Over the following years, he created numerous children's songs, sheet music publications and recordings. His works include “Jampadracis liedagā” (1995), “Eža Pukšķa Zelta zābaciņi” (2003) and “Gaismas vēstījums” (2008), as well as ten volumes of sheet music entitled “Dziedi skolā, dziedi mājās”, published between 1998 and 2011.

Several music albums were also released, including “Ziemassvētki klāt” (1996), “Pūcītes Ziemassvētki” (2001), “Dziedi dvēsele” (2002) and “Jūras kaķis” (2013).

In 2002, Andris Eniņš received the AKKA/LAA Infinity Award as Latvia's most frequently performed composer of children's songs. That same year, he was also honoured with the title “Liepāja Resident of the Year”.

WORKING WITH CHILDREN

Alongside composing, teaching has been an important part of Andris Eniņš's professional life.

From 1997 to 1998, he taught at “Liepājas pulss”. From 1998 to 1999, he served as Director of Kalēti Music School. Beginning in 2012, he taught recorder and piano at Liepāja Ezerkrasts Primary School. In his teaching, he used and developed a progressive approach to piano education.

His attitude towards children's music education is reflected in his own words:

“There is no such thing as an unmusical child. They are all musical. They simply don't yet know where to direct their little voices.”

And:

“The most important thing is to teach a child to love music. To truly love it.”

ANDRIS ENIŅŠ AND “LAI SKAN!”

Andris Eniņš is the original creator of the children's and youth vocal music festival–competition “LAI SKAN!”.

The festival–competition he established brought young singers and their teachers together in Liepāja. The event was traditionally associated with June 1 — Andris Eniņš's birthday.

“LAI SKAN!” was never just about competition and performing on stage. Meeting one another, spending time together and building connections among young singers were also essential parts of the experience — values that remain important today.

In 2027, “LAI SKAN!” enters a new chapter. Rather than simply recreating the original competition, it introduces a new format, identity and ambition, while preserving its connection to the city and the person who first brought “LAI SKAN!” to life.

Andris Eniņš's legacy will also continue through the special Andris Eniņš Award, presented for the best interpretation of a song in Latvian.

PLAY THE WAY YOU FEEL.

Andris Eniņš's words about making music perfectly express the value that connects the beginnings of “LAI SKAN!” with its new chapter:

“Music must always pass through your soul, and you must be genuine in front of an audience.”

It is not just about singing correctly, but about being genuine in what you do.

Play the way you feel.