On 3 December 2013, the Boris and Ināra Teterev Foundation signed a collaboration agreement with Jāzeps Vītols Latvian Academy of Music (JVLMA) for the provision of support to fund the participation of JVLMA’s most talented students at major international competitions for three academic years.
The goal is to secure broader recognition for Latvian musicians around the world, to help them to establish themselves on the international music scene, thus promoting Latvia’s profile overseas. The Foundation is financing the participation of JVLMA students, including Master’s and doctoral students in important competitions overseas, covering both the competition participation fees and other expenses related to the students’ participation in international competitions such as their travel and living expenses. Students secure the opportunity to take part in this project by way of a competition.
Already 42 applications are approved for 'the students' participation in international competitions.
Grants are received by outstanding students of Art Academy and Riga Stradiņš University. 15.10.2015.
Under the auspices of the support to JVLMA, on 25 April 2014, a newly built three manual romantic style organ was unveiled. Its building was financed by a number of private donors, among them the philanthropists, Boris and Ināra Teterev. In Latvia’s post-war history, this is the first organ to be newly built especially for Latvia’s needs and whose construction has been carried out by Latvia organ builders at the Ugāle organ building workshop. Therefore, the new organ building project is a rarity and an important event in Latvia’s cultural history.
Since the founding of the Academy of Music or then Conservatory, there has always been an Organ class. It was founded by organist Pauls Jozuus – a contemporary and friend of Jāzeps Vītols since their days in St. Petersburg. There, Jozuus studied at the conservatory and sung in the choir conducted by Vītols. They shared a sincere friendship and subsequently their professional careers would develop together. When Vītols was invited to Latvia to found the Conservatory, Pauls Jozuus also headed to Riga. Vītols became the rector, while Jozuus was appointed first master of the Organ class. Back in the day, he worked together with his students in the same classroom where the new organ has now been installed.
