Gustav Ernesaks founded the Estonian SSR State Philharmonic Male Choir (Eesti NSV Riikliku Filharmoonia meeskoor) in 1944. In 1953, the choir was renamed as the State Academic Male Choir (Riiklik Akadeemiline Meeskoor, RAM for short). Since 1989, the choir carries its current name of Estonian National Male Choir (Eesti Rahvusmeeskoor).
