The first song festival was a high point in Estonian national awakening. The festival took place in Tartu and it became an important milestone not only in the development of Estonian choral music, but even more so in strengthening national self-awareness. The idea came from the Vanemuine Singing Society, led by Johann Voldemar Jannsen, who also organised the festival. Only male choirs and brass orchestras were invited to take part in the festival. Most of the programmer was of German origin, because Estonian repertoire was scarce and the majority of organisers and decision-makers who had been appointed by the authorities could not be too Estonian-minded at the time. Estonian music was represented with just two songs � Aleksander Kunileid�s My Country is My Love and Till Death, both to lyrics written by Lydia Koidula. My Country Is My Pride and Joy, which later became the anthem of the Republic of Estonia, was performed for the first time. The song festival led to the creation of new choirs and original music. Only male choirs and brass orchestras performed at the festival.

CONDUCTORS:

Johann Voldemar Jannsen, Aleksander Saebelmann-Kunileid.

46 male choirs and 5 brass orchestras came to the festival in Tartu: 822 singers and 56 brass orchestra members. There were approximately 15,000 people in the audience.