Lithuanian Choir Competition: Alytus’ “Žaliasis” Chor Wins First Round of “Didysis Chorų Mūšis”

Alytaus “Žaliasis” choras has emerged victorious from the Lithuanian choral competition series “Didysis chorų mūšis” (“The Great Choral Battle”), securing the coveted Auksinis taškas (Golden Point) after two weeks of intense performances. The win, announced on February 16, 2026, marks a significant moment for the city of Alytus and its musical community.

The competition, which premiered on LNK television on January 25, 2026, brought together choirs representing various Lithuanian cities, each led by a prominent local figure. Alytus’s team was captained by Darius Mileris-Nojus, a former member of the popular group “Airija” and a well-known personality in the city. Mileris-Nojus, currently residing in Ireland, made a point of returning to Lithuania every other week specifically for the project.

The final scoring combined the assessments of a “Generolų komisija” (Generals’ Commission) and public voting, with each contributing 50% to the overall result. In a unique tie-breaking system, viewer votes held ultimate sway, ensuring the public had the final say. The “Žaliasis” choras received the highest combined score, surpassing Kauno “Rubininis” choras, Klaipėdos “Mėlynasis” choras, Panevėžio “Purpurinis” choras, Marijampolės “Rožinis” choras, and Šiaulių “Geltonasis” choras.

The journey to the top wasn’t without its challenges. The competition saw a fluctuating leaderboard, with Kauno “Rubininis” choras, Klaipėdos “Mėlynasis” choras, Panevėžio “Purpurinis” choras, and Marijampolės “Rožinis” choras all initially receiving top marks from the Generolų komisija, tying with Alytaus “Žaliasis” choras with a score of 30. Šiaulių “Geltonasis” choras received 28 points, while Kėdainių “Oranžinis” choras lagged behind with 27.

While Klaipėdos “Mėlynasis” choras garnered the most votes from the viewing public, Alytaus “Žaliasis” choras ultimately prevailed through a consistent performance and strong support from both the judges and the audience. The Auksinis taškas earned by the “Žaliasis” choras will provide them with an advantage in the upcoming rounds.

The competition isn’t just about musical prowess; it’s a celebration of community spirit. “Didysis chorų mūšis” actively involves entire cities, with local municipalities, cultural centers, and residents contributing their talents and support to their respective choirs. The series aims to foster a sense of unity and pride within each participating community.

The “Žaliasis” choras’s success builds on a legacy of choral excellence in Alytus. Twelve years prior, the city’s “Dežavu” chorus, led by Astas Pilypaitė, claimed the top prize in a similar competition. This latest victory underscores Alytus’s continued commitment to choral music and its ability to nurture talented singers.

The choral groups are led by a diverse range of figures. Aušra Saulevičiūtė leads the “Žaliasis” choras, with support from Greta Žogelytė and vocal coach Vakarė Jarmalavičiūtė. The chorus itself is comprised of a mix of singers, actors, and dancers, including Laura Misiukevičiūtė, Vakarė Jarmalavičiūtė, Meda Mitkutė, Darvinas Tamulynas, Orestas Vyšniauskas, Konradas Pukinskas, Povilas Adomaitis, Jonė Kastenskaitė, Tėja Krisiulevičiūtė, Saulė Sukackaitė, Nojus Baliūnas, Darija Ciūnytė, and Agota Saulevičiūtė, among others.

Šiaulių “Geltonasis” choras was eliminated from the competition, marking the first departure of the season. The remaining six choirs will continue to compete each Sunday on LNK television, vying for the grand prize and the opportunity to represent their city on a national stage. The format dictates that choirs will be eliminated every other week, with scores accumulating towards a final showdown. The ultimate winner will be determined solely by public vote in a live finale.

“Didysis chorų mūšis” airs every Sunday at 19:30 on LNK, offering a platform for Lithuanian choral talent and a celebration of national identity.