Orfeoi
Txiki

Created in 1988 from the initial idea and early impulse of Antxon Ayestarán, the Orfeón Txiki aims to ensure the future continuity of the Orfeón Donostiarra and to continue the work of the Music Workshop, which is also organised as part of the entity. Today, 122 children form part of it.

Since it started out, hundreds of 11-14 year olds have received twice-weekly classes and have studied to become future singers. In fact, most of the Orfeón Donostiarra members come from this children’s choir.

The Orfeoi Txiki’s involvement in different events held in the city includes their performance together with the Orfeón Donostiarra at the San Sebastián Day Mass in January and the Salve Regina chants held on St Mary’s Day in August in the Basilica of Santa María del Coro.

However, they also give individual concerts, either alone or accompanied by the Orfeón and other choirs. A charity concert for UNICEF has been held on 28 December every year since 1998, entitled De los Niños para los Niños (From the Children to the Children), at the Kursaal Auditorium in Donostia-San Sebastián.

The choir’s big break came in 1998 at the Kantata 98 in the Anoeta Velodrome, together with another 37 children’s choirs, with the first performance of the work Jimmi Potxolo by Tomás Aragüés based on texts by Bernardo Atxaga. In the same year they shared the stage with the Orfeón at the Santander Festival and at San Sebastián’s Musical Fortnight, performing Mahler’s Third Symphony with the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Zubin Mehta.

In 2005 they gave two concerts at Lourdes Sanctuary in France, and in 2006 two concerts in Madrid in collaboration with Carlos III University’s “Padre Soler” programme for children’s choirs.

In 2007 they took part in a concert held at the Kursaal Auditorium with the French children’s choir “Les Petits Chanteurs de St. Marc”, who performed the original soundtrack of the film “Les Choristes”.

In the same year they returned to the Kursaal stage once again, closing the Musical Fortnight with the Orfeón and the Cologne WDR Radio Orchestra and Choir with the concert version of Othello. They also sang Carmina Burana at the Orfeón’s 110th anniversary celebrations, held at the Anoeta Velodrome.

In 2008 the chorus participated in the Cycle Matinees of Miramón organized by the Symphonic Orchestra of Euskadi.

In 2009 they participated in the Musical Fortnight with Las Golondrinas, the opera by José María Usandizaga conducted by Rubén Gimeno in its concert version, together with the Spanish National Orchestra and choir. The Orfeoi Txiki ended 2009 at the Bilbao Euskalduna Palace singing the prologue and epilogue of Boito’s Mephistopheles alongside the Orfeón and the Ludvig Symphonic

At present the Orfeoi Txiki is jointly directed by Esteban Urzelai –who is also assistant director of the Orfeón– Isabel Mantecón and Leticia Vergara.

WHAT DO WE DO?

We foster choral music and musical sensitivity from the earliest childhood. We strive to train voices and teach children to enjoy music both as a source of pleasure in itself and as a tool for exploring other areas.

HOW?

• Choir practice sessions
• Teaching of choral pieces
• Participation in local festivals and concerts
• Participation in the Unicef Christmas Charity Concert in San Sebastián (since 1997)

WHEN?

During the school year.

Two weekly sessions on alternate days, outside school hours.

During the summer months: specific rehearsals for festival events in the city.

WITH WHOM?

Experienced children's choir conductors.

DIRECTORS

• Isabel Mantecón
• Esteban Urzelai
• Leticia Vergara

REGISTRATION

In June and September.

AGE

From 8 to 14 years old.

GROUPS

Male and female voices trained separately

MORE INFORMATION

info@orfeondonostiarra.org

Tel.: +34 943 422 239