Profile: Shaping Kosovo’s choral identity – Memli Kelmendi and the Siparantum Choir

Memli Kelmendi’s earliest musical influences came from home, shaped by his father, the Kosovar singer-songwriter Xhevat Kelmendi. Music played a central role in his upbringing, even as his childhood was disrupted by the Kosovo war in 1999, which displaced his family. Despite these challenges, the younger Kelmendi’s interest in music continued to grow. His studies took him from the Faculty of Music in Pristina, where he completed a degree in General Music, to North Macedonia, where he studied Music Production under Valentino Skenderovski and Composition with Darko Marinovski, with whom he completed one of his key compositions. Returning to Pristina, he earned a Master’s degree in vocal-instrumental conducting in the class of Bajar Berisha and is now pursuing doctoral studies in choral conducting under Professor Sasho Tatarchevski. Founding the Siparantum Choir Kelmendi’s connection with choral music began as a young singer, where he discovered the communal energy of group singing. His interest in conducting grew under the mentorship of musicians including Professor Bajar Berisha. He formed his first choir in 2014, but financial difficulties led to its early end. Undeterred, he co-founded the Siparantum Choir in 2016 with a group of volunteers. Taking an ancient name for the city of Peja, the choir aimed to serve as a cultural voice for Kosovo. Around 45 singers joined within a week, reflecting local enthusiasm for choral singing. Since then, the choir has expanded to include a children’s choir, male and female ensembles, and a mixed choir, forming a growing presence in the region’s musical life. Gaining international recognition Since its formation, the Siparantum Choir has participated in events across Europe, performing in venues including the Berlin Philharmonie, Queen Elisabeth Hall in Antwerp and the Wiener Konzerthaus in Vienna. Siparantum Choir directed by Memli Kelmendi Photo © Arban Llapashitica It has earned over 17 awards at international competitions, gaining gold medals at the World Choir Games, European Choir Games and the World Choral Cup. A notable moment came when it became the first choir of Albanian heritage to perform at the Berlin Philharmonie, presenting the programme Nga Bjeshket – Musik aus dem Kosova. Kelmendi has collaborated with a number of prominent conductors and composers, including Simon Carrington, Ēriks Ešenvalds, Heinz Ferlesch, Robin Tyson, Jan van der Roost and Josip degl’ Ivellio. His background in composition includes original scores for over 80 films and theatre productions, with some screened at major festivals including Cannes, Berlinale and Sundance. A distinctive repertoire with cultural foundations A distinguishing feature of the Siparantum Choir is its repertoire, which Kelmendi curates to reflect both artistic variety and cultural significance. The choir performs works ranging from Renaissance polyphony to contemporary pieces, often highlighting Kosovo’s musical heritage. Elements of Albanian and Kosovar folk traditions – including complex harmonies, microtonality, and vibrant rhythms – are incorporated into their performances. As the choir’s artistic director, Kelmendi also places emphasis on emotional communication in performance. Themes of love, hardship and unity are recurring motifs, and the use of choreography and staging contributes to the choir’s presentation. Navigating challenges in Kosovo’s choral landscape Building a choir in Kosovo presents various obstacles, from limited funding and infrastructure to cultural perceptions that place less emphasis on choral music. Kelmendi sees these challenges as areas for creative growth and has sought to broaden the impact of his work through collaboration and international outreach. He is also focused on education and community engagement. The Siparantum Choir runs workshops, school programmes, and initiatives aimed at developing local talent. Its children’s choir plays a key role in introducing younger generations to choral singing and helping sustain interest in the tradition. Looking forward: the evolving Siparantum vision Memli Kelmendi continues to look ahead, with plans to expand the Siparantum Choir’s collaborations with international composers and conductors, diversify its repertoire and explore new artistic directions. At home, he hopes to integrate choral music more deeply into Kosovo’s cultural and educational systems through outreach and advocacy. What is his advice for those beginning their own conducting journeys? “Work, work, and more work.” He encourages new conductors to cultivate patience, passion and strong interpersonal connections with their ensembles. Through the work of the Siparantum Choir, Memli Kelmendi is contributing to the evolving story of Kosovo’s musical identity. His story illustrates the role of commitment and artistic vision in building something enduring – even in a setting where resources are limited.