10. New Voices in a Living Tradition: Contemporary Lithuanian Choral Music

Povilas Vanžodis

Conductor

Povilas Vanžodis (he/him) is a Lithuanian choral conductor and tenor whose artistic profile combines profound musical thinking with expressive, warm musicality. He studied choral conducting at the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre, and distinguished himself as a prominent and active conductor of the younger generation while still a student.

From 2016 to 2019, he was the artistic director of the Kaunas mixed youth choir Exaudi. During the same period, he conducted and sang in the vocal ensemble GŠ. In 2019, Vanžodis became the artistic director of the ensemble Duodeco, shaping its musical direction and strengthening its reputation. Since 2020, he has worked as a conductor of the professional Šiauliai State Chamber Choir Polifonija, becoming the choir’s artistic director and chief conductor in 2025. In 2023, Vanžodis was appointed artistic director of the Lithuanian National Youth Choir, and in the same year, he began leading the Lithuanian Armed Forces Vilnius Garrison Officers’ Club Men’s Choir Aidas.

Alongside his performing work, Vanžodis is actively involved in the Lithuanian and international choral community. He regularly serves on competition juries, gives presentations, and takes part in professional conferences addressing choral culture, conductor training, and the sustainability of the Lithuanian Song Celebration tradition.