Choirs 2024


Resonans con Tutti – Zabrze – Poland 

Conductors: Waldemar Gałązka and Arlena Różycka-Gałązka
Category: World Choral Championship

choirs 2024Youth Choir Resonans con tutti was founded in 1970 by Maria and Norbert Kroczek. The ensemble consists of nearly 100 enthusiasts of the choral music – mostly youth aged between 15-28 years old. Waldemar Gałązka has been the conductor of the choir since 1994, when he took over this position after the death of Norbert Kroczek which happened during the competition in Cork, Ireland. The voice emission, since 1994, is taken care of by the II conductor, Arlena Różycka- Gałązka. The choir’s repertoire embraces both a cappella pieces, as well as vocal-instrumental compositions originating from various ages. Resonans con tutti has been regularly taking part in various vocal competitions. The choir has been awarded the highest prizes at international competitions in Neerpelt (Belgium), Preveza (Greece), Cantonigros (Spain), Montreaux (Switzerland), Olomouc (The Czech Republic) and Tours (France), and most recently in Rimini (Italy), Ohrid (Macedonia), Neu Chattel (Switzerland), Lloret de Maar (Catalunya), Riva del Garda (Italy) and many international festivals in Poland.  The singers of Resonans con tutti highly value enthusiasm, beauty of performed music and appreciation of the audience. Thanks to their vocal performances they try to promote the choral music in Poland and beyond its borders.

 

Saint Angela Choir – Bandung – Indonesia 

Conductor: Roni Sugiarto
Category: World Choral Championship

choirs 2024Officially established since 2010, Saint Angela Choir is a school based choir from Bandung, Indonesia. Under the direction of Roni Sugiarto, Saint Angela Choir has participated in various international competitions and concerts such as in China, Japan, Italy, South Korea and Spain. Saint Angela Choir is the 2nd prize winner of the 49th Tolosa Choral Contest, which is a part of the European Grand Prix of Choral Singing, and the Grand Prix Winner of the 5th Tokyo International Choir Competition 2023. Saint Angela Choir has also worked with some well known conductors : Haruko Kuwabara, Maria Theresa Vizconde Roldan, Jude B Roldan, Mark Anthony Carpio, Basilio Astulez Duque, Darius Lim, Josu Elberdin, and Ambroz Copi to name a few. Saint Angela Choir is currently representing Indonesia as a member of the Young Voices of the World, which is an association of children‘s and youth choirs around the world. In order to promote children and youth’s choral singing in Indonesia, Saint Angela Choir has arranged 3 editions of Saint Angela Children and Youth Choir Festival since 2014. Berdiri sejak tahun 2010, Saint Angela Choir adalah sebuah paduan suara berbasis sekolah dari Bandung, Indonesia. Di bawah direksi Roni Sugiarto, Saint Angela Choir telah berpartisipasi dalam beberapa kompetisi dan konser-konser internasional seperti di China, Jepang, Italia, Korea Selatan dan Spanyol. Saint Angela Choir memenangkan 2nd prize pada 49th Tolosa Choral Contest, sebuah kompetisi yang menjadi bagian dari European Grand Prix of Choral Singing, serta mendapatkan Grand Prix Winner pada the 5th Tokyo International Choir Competition 2023. Saint Angela Choir juga telah bekerja sama dengan beberapa dirigen ternama : Haruko Kuwabara, Maria Theresa Vizconde Roldan, Jude B Roldan, Mark Anthony Carpio, Basilio Astulez Duque, Josu Elberdin, Darius Lim, dan Ambroz Copi. Saint Angela Choir saat ini mewakili Indonesia sebagai anggota dari Young Voices of the World, yang merupakan sebuah perkumpulan paduan suara anak dan remaja dari seluruh dunia. Dalam rangka memenuhi perannya sebagai pendorong utama paduan suara anak dan remaja di Indonesia, Saint Angela Choir telah mengadakan 3 edisi dari Saint Angela Children and Youth Choir Festival sejak tahun 2014.

 

Białystok Female Choir at the Secondary School no. 3 – Bialystok – Poland 

Conductor: Anna Olszewska
Category: World Choral Championship

Białystok Female Choir at the Secondary School no. 3 in Bialystok was founded in October 2004. It started out as a mixed choir and after two years, in September 2006, was transformed into a female one. The choir inspires many Polish composers of the youngest generation, including Michał Sławecki, Marcin Gumiela, Marek Raczyński, Tomasz Szczepanik, Jan Krutul, Elżbieta Nowicka, Michał Malec, Jakub Szafrański, Aleksandra Chmielewska, Ernest Kamil Sienkiewicz, Michał Wadowski, and Tomasz Kamieniak, to create new pieces that are later premiered and performed by the choir. From the very beginning the choir is directed by Anna Olszewska. The choir’s high quality has repeatedly been acknowledged and appreciated both by juries of competitions taking place in Poland, as well as those based abroad, i.e.: 1) Rimini International Choir Competition (Rimini, 2022) – Grand Prix, The Prize for the Best Conductor, Golden Diploma in category A – equal voices, Golden Diploma in category E – sacred music. 2) Grand Prix during Stefan Stuligrosz Grand Prix of Polish Choral Music competition in Poznań in 2021 and 2023. 3) Chorus Inside Advent (Rome, 2023) – Grand Prix, Golden Diploma in category C4 – sacred music, Golden Diploma in category D4 – secular music, and The Prize for the Best Conductor.

 

Cantairí Óga Átha Cliath – Dublin – Ireland 

Conductor: Judith Lyons
Categories A – E

Cantairí Óga Átha Cliath is an upper-voice choir based in Rathmines, Dublin and conducted by Judith Lyons, who was appointed Musical Director in 2023. The choir was founded in 1960 in St. Louis Primary School by Proinsias O Ceallaigh.  They enjoyed huge success over many decades under the baton of the late Brian O Dubhghaill, travelling extensively throughout Europe and winning awards in many international competitions at home and abroad. In October 2023, at the City of Derry International Choral Festival, Cantairí Óga Átha Cliath won first prize in the equal voices upper competition and more recently, in March 2024, they were delighted to win first prize at Feis Ceoil, Dublin. From 2015 to 2018 with musical director Bernie Sherlock, the choir won 1st prizes at Feis Ceoil, Navan Choral Festival and the Sligo and Mayo International Choral Festivals. From 2018 until 2022, Brian Dungan conducted the choir and in 2019 they won the Grand Prix at the Aveiro International Choral Festival, Portugal. The choir sings a varied repertory spanning renaissance polyphony to contemporary music and takes particular joy in the performance of Irish-composed music. In 2022, Cantairí Óga Átha Cliath performed a suite of newly composed pieces “Ashes in the Wind” with words by poet Jessica Traynor and music by Tom Lane and commissioned with funding from The Arts Council.

 

Mixed Choir Skaņupe – Riga – Latvia

Conductor: Jānis Almanis-Palmbahs
Categories B – E

The mixed choir Skaņupe was founded in 1947 by one of the greatest Latvian conductors of that time Haralds Mednis. Since that time choir has performed in various locations, performing different styles of choir Music, from early renaissance to modern and Jazz Music. From 2016. The choir’s artistic director and conductor is Jānis Almanis-Palmbahs. Choir has always received good results in concerts and competitions and the latest have been first degree diplomas in annual choir competition in Latvia, Silver diploma in Tampere choir competition, Finland (2017), 1st place in Mixed and folklore categories in Šiauliai choir competition, Lithuania (2018).

 

Lagidze Choir – Batumi – Georgia 

Conductor: Magdana Matitaishvili
Categories A – C

The Lagidze Choir, founded in 2008 in Batumi at the Revaz Lagidze Music School, has become an award-winning ensemble, participating in numerous international, national, and regional competitions. The choir has earned multiple honors, including 13 Grand Prix awards, gold, silver, and bronze medals, in countries such as Italy, Germany, Spain, Latvia, Belgium, Austria, Czechia, and Georgia. Since 2013, the Lagidze Choir has been recognized by Interkultur as one of the world’s best children’s choirs, the only Georgian choir to receive this title. Notable achievements include a Gold Diploma at the European Open Choir Competition (Austria, 2013), a Silver Diploma at the World Choir Competition (Latvia, 2014), and recognition as one of the best choirs at the World Choir Games 2021 (Online Competition). Batumi Municipality awarded the choir “Choir of the Year” twice (2019-2021). The choir conductor has received accolades as “Best Choirmaster of Georgia” (2015) and “Artist of the Year” (2020). .

 

Gospodnetić Singers – Zagreb – Croatia 

Conductor: Heda Gospodnetić
Category E

Gospodnetić Singers is a small vocal ensemble made up of members of the Gospodnetić family and their friends who love polyphonic singing. The program of the ensemble, just like its members, is very diverse. It consists of Renaissance songs, canons, spiritual compositions, folklore and modern songs. At the same time, we should definitely mention the love for the Beatles, without whose songs almost not a single concert of theirs can go by. Since its establishment in 1994, when it performed for the first time on island Brač, at the Postirski pivoči festival, the ensemble has been noticed and its concerts are always well attended. The ensemble remained faithful to the festival in Postira, where they perform almost every summer. In 2016, the ensemble entered competitions and since then won prestigious awards for his performances in Croatia and abroad. The ensemble continued a rich concert career and participation in many competitions. In 2019, Gospodnetić singers celebrated 25 years of singing. At the end of 2021, the ensemble performed at a festive concert where the Lisinski Music Club celebrated 111 years since its founding, and conductor Heda Gospodnetić celebrated 50 years of artistic activity. This year, the Ensemble will celebrate 30 years of continuous singing with a festive concert and started recording album. Performances at several competitions in Croatia are planned, as well as guest appearances in Croatian cities and islands. In addition, the ensemble will perform at Passion, Christmas and other concerts. In May, the ensemble was a guest at the concert celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Renaissance Ensemble and the 30th anniversary of the Canticum of the Lisinski Music Club, in whose composition the Ensemble operated from 2014 to 2023. The ensemble stood out for its quality and recognizable sound and equally successfully and gladly performs various types of music – from the Renaissance to the Beatles and folklore. Gospodnetić Singers has been led by Heda Gospodnetić since its establishment.

 

Mixed Choir ARTEP – Orlová-Lutyně – Czech Republic 

Conductor: Petra Rašíková
Category B

The mixed choir named ARTEP from Grammar School and Business Academy in Orlová was established in January.  2001. During its existence it has become one of the best youth mixed choirs in the Czech Republic. The ensemble regularly participates in both national and international choir festivals. The choir’s history includes many successful performances in concerts and choir festivals in Czech Republic, but also in Poland, Switzerland, Mexico, Italy, Latvia and Slovakia, where the choir is frequently awarded. The conductor and art director of the choir is Ms. Petra Rašíková. Mr. Aleš Bína is also an important figure who is in charge of piano accompaniment. Ms. Monika Kříštková works with the choir from September 2022 as a vocal coach.

 

Vokalion Praha – Prague – Czech Republic 

Conductor: Jan Pirner
Categories A – E

Vokalion Praha was set up in 2015 and works under Primary art school in Prague 7 (Šimáčkova 16). It consists of not only former members of the children’s choir Radost Praha, but of girls from the whole Prague who are interested in singing as well. The choir has a wide range of concerts occasions, sings at religious concerts, national music festivals and joint concerts with other choirs. Their first competition success was gold diploma from the regional round of the Competition of Primary art schools in the Czech Republic (2019), second prize in chamber category from 14th International Warsaw Choir Festival (2019) and two gold bands and Grand Prix at the international competition Bratislava Cantat II (2022). The chamber choir leads choirmaster Jan Pirner, with Vladimír Kopáčik at the piano.

 

 

 

 

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