[ad_1]
EJBalčytis was born in 1937 in the Šilutė district. Having acquired the specialty of teacher at the Klaipėda School of Music (now Klaipėda Conservatory) and the profession of music teacher at the Vilnius Pedagogical Institute (former Lithuanian University of Educational Sciences), he was appointed professor of the then Šiauliai Pedagogical University. Institute (now Šiauliai Academy of Vilnius University).
In 1964-1967, EJBalčytis studied postgraduate studies in Moscow and, after returning to Šiauliai, continued his work as a researcher and pedagogue.
In 1971-2000, he was head of the Music Department of the Šiauliai Pedagogical Institute with breaks.
EJBalčytis was one of the first to start developing a new music curriculum for Lithuanian general education schools, music textbooks, methodological publications for music teachers, and various teaching materials.
The researcher developed and implemented in Lithuanian schools a unique and original complex system of music education (singing, making music and listening to music), basing its principles and content with experiments.
Thanks to the efforts of EJBalčytis, the first general music education school in Lithuania (now Juventa Progymnasium) was established in Šiauliai in 1971.
The teacher, alone or with other educators, has produced and published more than 20 music textbooks. He has written more than ten books for music teachers, produced various curricula, phonochrestomaties and other teaching materials, notably the collection of 1,000 Lithuanian folk songs “Beauštanti aušrelė”, and has published more than 150 articles and scientific reviews.
Under the care of EJBalčytis, three or four choirs were constantly active in the Šiauliai Pedagogical Institute, and one vocal
Music ensemble, which became a professional state chamber choir “Polifonija” in 1986. At his initiative, a large and unique wooden organ was built at this scientific institution.
In 1986 the professor was awarded the state award, in 1988 he was awarded the title of meritorious lecturer, in 1994 he was awarded the Ministry of Education and Science award for new textbooks.