The story of the Estonian Academy of Sciences Male Choir began in 1958. Over more than six decades, ETAM has been shaped by renowned Estonian choral conductors, hundreds of singers, concerts, the song-festival tradition and friendships with choirs in Estonia and abroad.
ETAM in 1958
Male-choir singing since 1958
The choir’s story began in January 1958 at a reunion of former singers of the Tallinn Polytechnic Institute Male Choir. The old singing companions wanted to continue making music together and create a new male choir in Tallinn.
The organising group sought advice from Gustav Ernesaks, who supported the idea and recommended linking the choir with the Academy of Sciences. Arvo Ratassepp was invited to become the first conductor.
The choir’s first rehearsal took place on 10 March 1958 in the hall of the Presidium of the Academy of Sciences. Seventy-eight men attended, and this date is regarded as ETAM’s birthday. By May, 108 singers had already been confirmed as members.
The first public performance followed only a few days later, on 16 March. The choir gave its first full-length concert at the Estonia Concert Hall on 5 December 1958. Already in its first year, characteristics that would define ETAM began to emerge: demanding repertoire, a strong connection with Estonian music and the ambition to be a high-level concert choir.
FIRST CHIEF CONDUCTOR
Arvo Ratassepp
Arvo Ratassepp led the choir from its founding in 1958 until 1986. Under his leadership, the choir’s artistic principles, demanding repertoire and identity as a concert choir took shape, influencing ETAM’s development ever since.
Key milestones
1958
Birth of the choir
The first rehearsal took place on 10 March. On 5 December, the choir gave its first full-length concert at the Estonia Concert Hall.
1989
International recognition in Vienna
ETAM won second place at the Schubert Choir Festival in Vienna.
2017
Victory in Bulgaria
At the International Choir Festival in Balchik, ETAM won the male and female choir category and received a special prize for the performance of a work by a Bulgarian composer.
2019
A year of song festivals
ETAM took part in the main concert celebrating the 150th anniversary of the Tartu Song Festival and in the 27th Estonian Song Festival, “Minu arm”.
2023
65 years of ETAM
The choir celebrated its 65th anniversary with a concert at Tallinn Creative Hub. In the same year, ETAM competed in the A category of the Estonian Male Choir Association’s competition for male and boys’ choirs.
2024
Concerts, recordings and friendship choirs
The year brought concerts in Estonia, a visit to the choir’s long-standing Finnish friends Laulun Ystävät in Turku, and recordings of choral music by Riho-Esko Maimets. In autumn, ETAM took part in a joint concert of eight male choirs at the Estonia Concert Hall.
2025
Song Festival “Iseoma”
ETAM took part in the 28th Estonian Song Festival “Iseoma”, both in the male-choir programme and among the selected male choirs. That year the choir also participated in an event marking the 95th anniversary of composer Veljo Tormis.
2026
Silver Diploma in Bad Ischl
ETAM took part in the 16th International Choir Competition and Festival in Bad Ischl, Austria, competing in the highest-difficulty A2 category and receiving a Silver Diploma.
Conductors through the years
- Arvo Ratassepp – 1958–1986
- Kuno Areng – 1959–1967 and 1998–2009
- Peeter Perens (sen) – 1968–1991
- Ants Soots – 1986–1991
- Hirvo Surva – 1987–1991 ja 1995–1998
- Andrus Siimon – 1991–2006 and since 2009
- Lauri Sirp – 1991–1995
- Jaanus Kann – 2006–2007
- Anne Dorbek – 2009
- Igor Nikiforov – since 2009
Honorary members
- Johan Eichfeldt
- Enno Soonurm
- Arvo Ratassepp
- Veljo Tormis
- Ants Soots
- Kuno Areng
- Heino Ross – Honorary President of the choir
- Raul-Roman Tavast
Awards and achievements
1989
Schubert Choir Festival in Vienna – 2nd place
2013
Estonian Male Choir Association competition, A category – 3rd place
2017
Balchik International Choir Festival – 1st place and special prize
2018
Estonian Male Choir Association competition, A category – 3rd place
2023
Estonian Male Choir Association competition, A category – 5th place
2026
Bad Ischl International Choir Competition – Silver Diploma
Enno Soonurm’s memoir: how ETAM was born
Enno Soonurm’s extensive first-hand memoir is preserved as a historical source in its original Estonian wording. Read the original memoir on the Estonian history page →