Description: | | The Chamber Choir of Adam Mickiewicz University of Poznan has been in existence since 1992. The
group is composed of 40 people, mainly university students, graduates and young teachers. The
majority of this group is made up of singers who are not currently studying music for a career but
simply love the choral art. This ensemble, founded and conducted by Krzysztof Szydzisz, performs
mainly the nineteenth and twentieth century music, composed for different voice arrangements. Its
basic repertoire, religious and secular compositions of Polish and European composers, is enriched
with gospel songs, world music, international folk music as well as many pop music arrangements.
The choir participates actively in the life of Adam Mickiewicz University, providing musical settings to
the main celebrations in the academic world. Regular concerts, often accompanied by elements of
other art disciplines, have already become a tradition. The choir has met with great success in
national and international choral conferences, festivals and competitions both in Poland and abroad.
In October 1995, the group was awarded second prize at the 7th Festival of Sacred Music in Rumia
and in May 1996 Grand Prix at the 27th Choral Festival "Legnica Cantat 96". In 1997, the choir was
invited by Polish National Radio to take part in the international competition of broadcasting
companies "Let the People Sing". In 1998 the choir won the second prize in the International Choir
Competition in Llangollen (Wales, U.K.) and Grand Prix of the 29th Choral Festival "Legnica Cantat
98" in Poland. At the same festival the choir was awarded the Polish National Radio's prize for the
best choral tone. The most recent successes of the choir are: the first prize at the International Choral
Festival in Miedzyzdroje (Poland), and Grand Prix of the 8th International Competition of Students
Choirs "Academic Banska Bystrica '99" (Slovak Republic). In September 1999 choir was touring
United States of America, giving concerts in universities and churches of 4 states (Illinois, Michigan,
Ohio, Indiana).
In April 2000 the choir was invited to perform "Passio" by Arvo Pärt with the world-famous Hilliard Ensemble.
The Chamber Choir of Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznan is the initiator and organizer of the
International Festival of University Choirs "Universitas Cantat" in Poznan, successfully held from the
year 1998. |