MUSIC GUESTS – FESTIVAL VOCE MAGNA 2023
Severáček (CZ)
Children’s choir of Art School in Liberec, Czech Republic, has presented beautiful children’s voices of high artistic quality and above all a smile and the joy of singing to audiences at home and abroad for more than sixty years.
Founded in 1958 by Jiřina and Milan Uherek, Severáček has been a large “choir family”. In four preparatory departments and a concert choir, there are two hundred and thirty girls and boys aged from four to eighteen years.
During sixty years Severáček has proven its extraordinary attributes winning many competitions at home and abroad namely four times in Cantonigros, Span, in Pärn, Estonia, four times in Preveza, three times in Riva del Garda or Arezzo, Italy, one in Rhodes, Greece, two times in the British island of Jersey, five times in Neerpelt, Belgium, in Nantes or Tours, France, in Celju, Slovenia, in Winterthur, Switzerland, three times in Bratislava, Slovakia, and many others. It has been awarded with over thirty-five First Prizes and Grand Prix in total, to date. Other international successes include three first prizes, category wins and the award for best dramaturgy at the Slovakia Cantat International Competition in Bratislava in April 2019, and two wins and the Peter Eben Grand Prize at the International Festival of Advent and Christmas Music in Prague in November 2019. 2022 the choir won two first prizes Cum laude at the international choir competition in Neerpelt, Belgium. Significant is its association with leading Czech orchestras, opera houses and conductors. Recent participation in the main subscription series of Czech Philharmonic with Jakub Hrůša in December 2018 lead. Severáček has been traditional partner for opera and concert productions of its hometown Theatre of F. X. Šalda.
The choirmaster and artistic director of Severáček is Silvie Langrová. A graduate of the Pardubice Conservatory and the University of Hradec Králové. In addition to her role as the choirmaster of Severáček, she is a sought-after member of Czech and International competition juries (including Llangollen, Cantonigros, etc.). She also organizes choral presentations and seminars for her colleagues and students. She was awarded the prestigious Award of František Lýsek from the Union of the Czech Choirs for her choirmaster activities in 2016.
Sol Oriens (HU)
The choir “Sol Oriens” was established in 1990, as an independent ensemble not supported by any institution or school. The members of the choir, who are predominantly from the circle of music-loving professionals, are of different ages and occupations. They have formed a cohesive, and supportive community in every field of life.
The repertoire of the ensemble involves the works of contemporary Hungarian and foreign composers, the masterpieces of the Romantic and Renaissance era as well as compositions by musicians rarely heard in today’s concert halls. Several premieres are attributed to them. At their concerts, beside the gems of a capella pieces they very often perform oratorios as well. The have made several recordings and during their 32 years of existence they have taken part in a number of contests and festivals. They have given concerts in many European countries as well as in Egypt, South Africa and Hawaii.
Their current conductor, Ádám Mike, who is also a university teacher and composer, used to be their associate conductor between 2016 and 2021 and has been their chief conductor since 2022.
Choir of Slovak Teachers (SK)
It was founded in March 1921 in Trenčín. Since its foundation it has been a national, representative, teaching, male, vocal ensemble with nationwide activity. Its permanent residence since 1933 has been the Choir of Slovak Teachers´ House in Trenčianske Teplice, Slovakia. The founding conductor of the choir was an important personality of musical life in Slovakia, prof. Miloš Ruppeldt, who conducted the choir from 1921 to 1943. The ensemble continuously progressed under the leadership of other important personalities of Slovak music and vocal culture such as prof. Ján Strelec, prof. Ján Valach, prof. Dr. Juraj Haluzický. Under their leadership the choir developed into a choir with a high vocal level and successfully presented itself on European stages, where it won several important awards, such as the bronze and silver medals at the competition in Llangollen (Great Britain – 1964 and 1965). The choir has achieved an unprecedented performing artistic dimension as well as the greatest personnel expansion with a stable number of over 80 members. The tradition of leading conducting personalities was fulfilled by prof. Peter Hradil in the years 1977 – 2001, when the choir’s foreign contacts intensified, which went beyond Europe.
The choir has successfully presented itself at several international competitions, where it regularly received valuable awards (1985 Tolosa, 1987 Gorizia, 1991 Llangollen, 1992 Athens, 1995 Neuchatel – everywhere it won 2nd place in a strong international competition). The choir received the highest awards, gold medals, at prestigious international competitions in Litomyšl in 1995 and Powell River in Canada in 1996, and also performed in concert in the USA. The latest highlight of this choir´s international ambitions under the direction of prof. Hradil was a concert tour to Tokyo, Japan in July 2001. Since January 2002, the position of conductor and artistic director of the Choir of Slovak Teachers was taken over by a pupil of Professor Hradil, prof. Štefan Sedlický. Under his direction, the choir, in direct collaboration with contemporary composers, has staged and performed in concert a number of works created for the choir´s interpretation. Under the artistic direction of prof. Sedlický, recordings of the albums Hoj, zem drahá; The Coronation of Maria, Wife of Maximilian II; Millennium; There Among the Mountains; Carols; Hymns and others have been published. He has conducted the choir abroad in Czech Republic, Ukraine, Poland, Hungary, Spain, Italy, Switzerland, and France. He participated in the World Choir Olympics in Riga, Latvia, in 2014 under the direction of prof. Štefan Sedlický, the choir won the gold medal in the category “male choirs”.
In 2019, the choir under the direction of prof. Sedlický, was the absolute winner of the “Grand Prix” award at the international competition festival Slovakia Cantat 2019 in Bratislava, won two golden bands in the categories of sacred and folklore music, as well as the award for the conductor of the choir for the best conducting performance.
Cantica Collegium Musicum Martin (SK)
A chamber mixed choir.
It was founded in February 1991. In 1994 Štefan Sedlický took over the artistic direction and conducting. The choir successfully represents the city of Martin and Slovakia at home and abroad.
In 1997-1998 it gave a series of concerts in Germany and Austria. In April 2002 it performed in Hoogeveen (Holland) also in front of the Dutch Queen Beatrix. In October 2005, during a tour back to the Netherlands, the choir gave a series of extremely successful concerts. In 2007, in addition to a number of performances at home, the choir was especially invited to Rome and the Vatican, where it peerformed concerts in St. Peter’s Basilica and at the audience of Pope Benedict XVI. The beginning of 2009 was marked by concerts of Missa assumpta est Maria by Marc Antoine Charpentier – in collaboration with the Trnava Chamber Orchestra (TKO). In cooperation with the Žilina State Chamber Orchestra and other orchestras (TKO, Camerata Novisoliensis, Solamente naturali…) the choir staged a number of major vocal-instrumental works, e.g. Mass in D major (Antonín Dvořák), Requiem (W.A.Mozart), Missa assumpta est Maria (M.A.Charpentier), Easter Oratorio (J.S.Bach), Messiah (G.F.Händel), Missa Sancti Cyrilli et Methodii (M.Haydn), Coronation Mass (W.A.Mozart) and others. Cantica’s notable achievements include prizes won at international competitions:
In 2001 Cantica won second place at the international competition of chamber choirs in Jihlava (Czech Republic); in October 2008 the choir won the main prize at the International Choral Festival of Musical Romanticism in Vlachov Březí (Czech Republic); in the summer of 2010 won a valuable success – a gold medal at the World Festival Grand Prix Pattaya in Thailand, in October 2012 the choir won three top awards at the Praga Cantat World Festival in Prague.
June 2013 – participation in the XII Polish Sea Songs festival of the Visegrad countries in Wejherowo, Poland, on the Baltic Sea
September 2013 – 2nd place at the Liviu Borlan Competition Festival in Baia Mare, Romania
June 2014 – participation in the Cantate Adriatica World Festival in San Marino
August 2015 – successful representation in Bački Petrovac, Serbia
September 2016 – two gold bands at the Canco Mediterrania World Festival in Lloret de Mar and Barcelona
August 2017 – successful participation in the Paris Music Choir Festival
July 2018 – gold medal at the World Choir Olympics in Tshwane, South Africa in the sacred music a capella category
August 2019 – two gold medals and inclusion in the TOP LEVEL category at the 4th European Choir Olympics in Gothenburg, Sweden
October 2022 – 1st place in the chamber mixed choir category at the World Competition Festival in Magdeburg, Germany
April 2023 – Grand Prix 7. Vietnam Choir Competition in HoiAn
September 2023 – 1st place in Voices for Peace in Perugia/Assisi, Italy.
Cantica has so far released four profile CDs (1998, 2002, 2011, 2016) and in 2011 participated in the sound recording of the choral compositions of the master Jan Cikker on the occasion of the anniversary of his birth (1911). The choir has performed at various events in 16 countries around the world.
Mixed Choir of Žilina (SK)
Mixed choir with almost 70 years of tradition (1954). Thanks to professional leadership and regular concerts, we have long been one of the best choirs in Slovakia. Today, we have around fifty singers, which makes us one of the largest groups of its kind in our country. We have also won leading positions and awards at many international competitions.
In our repertoire, we have secular and spiritual works by Slovak and foreign composers adapted for choral singing, which, thanks to the number of singers, we can offer in an original dramaturgy. We presented several important works of world and domestic vocal-instrumental works such as: W. A. Mozart – Requiem, Mass in C major and D major, F. Schubert – Mass in A major and G major, A. Dvořák – Mass in D major, G. F. Händel – Messiah , G. Puccini – Messa di Gloria, P. Krška – Requiem, P. Iršai – Kyrie and many other compositions.
We cooperate with several professional orchestras. We particularly value our partnership with Slovak Sinfonietta Žilina, which was established in 1990 and significantly enriches the quality of musical life in Žilina.
Our goal is to spread choral art and tradition, with the help of high-quality artistic concert activities, but also to provide cultural enjoyment to people who are interested in choral singing. We are the organizers of the prestigious International Choir Festival and Competition Žilina VOCE MAGNA, which celebrates its 13th year in 2023. We proudly represent the city of Žilina and Slovakia in Europe and the world.
The conductor of the choir is Prof. Štefan Sedlický, ArtD.
MUSIC GUESTS – FESTIVAL VOCE MAGNA 2022
Mixed Choir Prelude Budapest (HU)
The choir, which operates at the Corvinus University in Budapest, was founded in 1950 under the name Chorus Oeconomicus. The choir was made up of university students, the first conductor was István Mátrai, also a university student at the time.
Since its inception, the choir has been actively participating in choir life, festivals, competitions, building international contacts. After the choral break since 1988, the activity was resumed in 1991 under the new name Prelude under the leadership of the current conductor Sándor Kabdebó.
In 1996 and 2000, the Prelud choir won 3rd place at the Béla Bartók International Choir Competition in Debrecen in the category of mixed choirs, and in 2004, also in the category of women’s choirs. In 1999, they won third place at the International Choir Competition in Špital/Germany.
Among the choir’s achievements is the 2nd place at the International Choir Competition in Budapest in 1999. The choir is proud of its victory at the 5th Zoltán Kodály International Festival in 2009. The last great success is the 3rd place at the XV. Choir festival in Neuchatel /Switzerland/. In addition to competitions, the choir participated in festivals in Kolozsvár, Kragujevac, Vienna, Autun and Nyíregyház.
The Prelud choir places great emphasis on concert activity, they studied works such as Vivaldi: Gloria, Handel: Messiah, Purcell: Dido and Aeneas, Mozart: Requiem, Liszt: Via Crucis, Beethoven: Mass in C major, Verdi: Requiem, Gluck: Orpheus and Eurydice, Faure: Requiem. In 2002, the choir released its first CD. In addition to singing activities, Prelude has a rich joint program, members of the choir go on hikes together, to the theater, to football matches, organize balls and attend the weddings of their singers.
Mixed Choir PUNKT (CZ)
The mixed choir PUNKT was created on the initiative of students in the fall of 2014 with the aim of interpreting the compositions of the students of the Prague Conservatory. Its founders are Jiří Trtík and Alena Jelínková, who still leads the choir today. The choir performs at school events and gives concerts in the Czech Republic.
Since 2017, Punkt has successfully participated in various competitions. He became the absolute winner of the Festival of Choral Art in Jihlava (2017), received three special prizes at the Opava Cantat Festival (2017) and in the same year performed at the celebrations of the anniversary of the Gentle Revolution in the senate and the Dvořák Hall of the Rudolfinum.
At the international choral competition „Zlatna vila“ in Bosnia and Herzegovina (2018), he won an absolute victory and a prize for a Renaissance and spiritual composition.
They took first place at the „International Choir Contest“ in Genk, Belgium (2019) and subsequently won a gold band for the „Praga cantat“ with special prizes for the interpretation of Lukáš Janata’s M-dada-Z and for the conducting of Alena Jelínková. and performed in Norway.
The choir mainly focuses on contemporary music, still fulfills the purpose of supporting composition students and is interested in the experimental concept of choral work.
Educatus (PL)
The mixed choir Educatus of the Pedagogical University in Krakow began its activity in April 2000 at the initiative of prof. Adam Korzeniowski, who is still the choir’s conductor and artistic director.
Educatus is not only an academic collective but also a group of friends with a passion for music that flourishes thanks to the wonderful atmosphere created by the conductor and members. Educatus interprets choral music of various eras and styles. He proudly represents the university at various festivals, competitions and concerts in Poland and abroad.
During its 17 years of operation, Educatus, together with the Symphony Orchestra of the Polish National Radio and the Krakow Opera Orchestra, participated in the Vivat Academia, Vivat Musica! In addition, he participated in Educational Concerts and gave concerts at five editions of the Krakow Meeting of Academic Choirs. It was a great honor for the choir to be invited to perform during the last, seventh pastoral visit of Pope John Paul II. in Poland in 2002.
Educatus also participated in other editions of the Science Festival in Krakow and thematic concerts within the annual Night of Libraries. In addition, in 2001 he participated in the International Vyšehrad Project in Olomouc (Czech Republic). She also participated in the Poland-Ukraine International Scientific Forum in the Wieliczka Salt Mine.
During its 17-year existence, the choir won many awards, participated in competitions in Poland and abroad. Greece, Spain, Bulgaria, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Lithuania, Slovakia, Czech Republic, France are the places we visited and where we could share our passion with others, but mainly collect memories and get experiences that flourish in each subsequent artistic season.
We hope that the following years will be equally favorable and rich in experiences. The shared passion, which is the love of music, allows us to believe that what we do has a deep meaning and pleases not only us, but also our listeners. , the successor of the originally mixed choir.
Ad una Corda (SK)
The Ad Una Corda church choir in Pezinok was founded in November 1867, originally as a singing association in Pezinok.
After the First World War, under the leadership of national artist Eugen Suchoň, it expanded to a mixed choir. During the 50s and 60s of the 20th century, the choir’s activity was dampened due to the increasing communist anti-religious oppression. Since 1995, the choir has been called Ad Una Corda.
Currently, the choir is mainly dedicated to the interpretation of classical and modern church music. He participates in many activities, especially competitions, festivals and concerts. His remarkable qualities are also confirmed by five 1st places at international choir competitions in Olomouc (1998), in Malta (2002), in Banská Bystrica (2008), in Canadian Powell River (2018), in Žilina (2018), as well as the Zlaté pásmo at the international Musica Sacra competition in Bratislava (2007), or numerous other awards at competitions in Portugal, Estonia, France and Denmark. He gave concerts in 15 European countries, Israel, the USA and Canada.
He performs at important church celebrations and classical music festivals (Bratislava Music Festival, Musica Sacra in Nitra, Cyril Methodist Days in Terchová, Festival of Sacred Art in Košice, etc.) or projects (Everest Dance Theater for the Slovak National Theatre’s ballet). An independent concert at the Bažant Pohoda festival in 2008 also testifies to the unusual communicative ability of the choir.
It has collaborated with professional orchestras such as the Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra, Košice State Philharmonic, Žilina State Chamber Orchestra, Slovak Chamber Orchestra, Musica Aeterna, Solamente naturali, Orchestra of folk instruments. OĽUN, Pärnu City Orchestra, and also with non-professional groups such as the Technik Chamber Orchestra and the Trnava Chamber Orchestra.
The choir has 2 profile CDs (Ad Una Corda, 1999, Te Deum Laudamus, 2006) and public recordings for Slovak Radio. On its own initiative, the choir organizes a number of concert cycles (Salve Musica Slovaca, Pax Christi, Musica Pasqua) and musical benefit projects (Cesty k sebe, Organissimo).
For its active activity, the choir was awarded in 2000 by the City of Pezinok and in 2005 by the Bratislava Self-Governing Region. Marián Šipoš is at the end of the line of conductors shaping this body for decades. In the current 2021/2022 season, the choir performed Mozart’s Requiem in Pezinok (the concert was patronized by the President of the Slovak Republic Zuzana Čaputová), the premiere of In Festo Domini Nostri by the Slovak composer Mirko Krajči, who wrote the piece commissioned by the Ad Una Corda choir on the anniversary of the death of a prominent native of Pezina – conductor and composer Ľudovít Rajter.
The choir was a guest at the Easter concerts of the Žilina State Chamber Orchestra, where they performed Beethoven’s oratorio Christ on the Mount of Olives under the baton of Oliver Dohnányi.
Kysuca (SK)
The Kysuca mixed choir was founded in 1977. Since its inception, it has been working at the Municipal Cultural Center – today the KIC of the city of Čadca.
The biggest contribution to the creation of this important body was p. Emil Helienek, prof. Vojtech Didi and Mgr. Pavol Kužma. The founding conductor of the MSZ Kysuca was Brno Conservatory professor Petr Fiala, who was assisted by prof. Vojtech Didi.
At the turn of 1986/87, Kysuca Mgr took over the position of conductor and artistic director of the Ministry of Education. art. Pavol Procházka ArtD. His son Mgr. took over the baton after him. art. Ján Procházka. Since 2019, the conductor and artistic director of the choir is Mgr. art. Tomáš Vrškový.
MSZ Kysuca performed a large number of concerts in various cities of Slovakia and the Czech Republic and gave concerts in Bulgaria, Germany, Spain, France, Austria, Poland, Italy, England and Malta. It regularly won rare awards at international competitions and festivals.
The choir closely cooperates with the Italian choirs Canta Con Noi and Coro Maddalene and especially with the Kysuck Chamber Orchestra of the city of Čadca, with which it regularly performs at Christmas and Easter concerts in the city of Čadca.
Cantica Collegium Musicum Martin (SK)
A chamber mixed choir.
It was founded in February 1991. In 1994 Štefan Sedlický took over the artistic direction and conducting. The choir successfully represents the city of Martin and Slovakia at home and abroad.
In 1997-1998 it gave a series of concerts in Germany and Austria. In April 2002 it performed in Hoogeveen (Holland) also in front of the Dutch Queen Beatrix. In October 2005, during a tour back to the Netherlands, the choir gave a series of extremely successful concerts. In 2007, in addition to a number of performances at home, the choir was especially invited to Rome and the Vatican, where it peerformed concerts in St. Peter’s Basilica and at the audience of Pope Benedict XVI. The beginning of 2009 was marked by concerts of Missa assumpta est Maria by Marc Antoine Charpentier – in collaboration with the Trnava Chamber Orchestra (TKO). In cooperation with the Žilina State Chamber Orchestra and other orchestras (TKO, Camerata Novisoliensis, Solamente naturali…) the choir staged a number of major vocal-instrumental works, e.g. Mass in D major (Antonín Dvořák), Requiem (W.A.Mozart), Missa assumpta est Maria (M.A.Charpentier), Easter Oratorio (J.S.Bach), Messiah (G.F.Händel), Missa Sancti Cyrilli et Methodii (M.Haydn), Coronation Mass (W.A.Mozart) and others. Cantica’s notable achievements include prizes won at international competitions:
In 2001 Cantica won second place at the international competition of chamber choirs in Jihlava (Czech Republic); in October 2008 the choir won the main prize at the International Choral Festival of Musical Romanticism in Vlachov Březí (Czech Republic); in the summer of 2010 won a valuable success – a gold medal at the World Festival Grand Prix Pattaya in Thailand, in October 2012 the choir won three top awards at the Praga Cantat World Festival in Prague.
June 2013 – participation in the XII Polish Sea Songs festival of the Visegrad countries in Wejherowo, Poland, on the Baltic Sea
September 2013 – 2nd place at the Liviu Borlan Competition Festival in Baia Mare, Romania
June 2014 – participation in the Cantate Adriatica World Festival in San Marino
August 2015 – successful representation in Bački Petrovac, Serbia
September 2016 – two gold bands at the Canco Mediterrania World Festival in Lloret de Mar and Barcelona
August 2017 – successful participation in the Paris Music Choir Festival
July 2018 – gold medal at the World Choir Olympics in Tshwane, South Africa in the sacred music a capella category
August 2019 – two gold medals and inclusion in the TOP LEVEL category at the 4th European Choir Olympics in Gothenburg, Sweden
October 2022 – 1st place in the chamber mixed choir category at the World Competition Festival in Magdeburg, Germany
April 2023 – Grand Prix 7. Vietnam Choir Competition in HoiAn
September 2023 – 1st place in Voices for Peace in Perugia/Assisi, Italy.
Cantica has so far released four profile CDs (1998, 2002, 2011, 2016) and in 2011 participated in the sound recording of the choral compositions of the master Jan Cikker on the occasion of the anniversary of his birth (1911). The choir has performed at various events in 16 countries around the world.
MUSIC GUESTS – FESTIVAL VOCE MAGNA 2021
Ondrášek komorní sbor (CZ)
It is the oldest choir department of the Novojičín choir ZUŠ ONDRÁŠEK, which was founded in 1967.
The chamber choir was formed spontaneously in the summer of 2005 and is made up of “grown-up” members of the Ondrášek children’s choir, who felt the need to continue meeting and continue their choir activities. The members of the choir are mostly students and graduates of universities and have more than 15 years of choral experience, countless concerts, camps, tours and choir festivals. The choir has won significant awards and won many domestic and foreign festivals: Prague, Pilsen, Bratislava, Neerpelt, Montreux, Cork, Guangzhou, Torun, Londonderry, Kalamata, Jürmala, Lloret del Mar…
Throughout its existence, it has been headed by choirmaster Josef Zajíček.
Bratislavský chlapčenský zbor (SK)
He has been active on the Slovak art scene since 1982. Its founder, artistic director and conductor is Mgr.Art. Magdaléna Rovňáková ArtD.
The ensemble was formed as the Boys ‘Philharmonic Choir, which was later transformed into a Private Elementary Art School, specializing in boys’ choir singing. An average of 90 boys aged 7-28 study here. Collaboration with symphony orchestras (Slovak Philharmonic, Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra, Vienna Symphony, Vienna Radio Orchestra, Hamburg Symphony …) enriched the ensemble’s repertoire with dozens of oratorios, cantatas and symphonies (JS Bach, L. Bernstein, B. Britten, A. Honegger, G. Mahler, C. Orff, C. Penderecký, M. Ravel, I. Stravinský, E. Suchoň …) under the baton of the world’s leading conductors (O. Lenárd, R.Štúr, B. de Billy, J. Conlon, A. Parrot, F. Luisi, R. Muti, J.Tate, E.Villaume et al.). Cooperation with orchestras of old instruments is encouraging.
In opera, ballet and drama, the boys perform impressive children’s tasks. The choir gives concerts all over Slovakia, applauded by listeners of European cities (Berlin, Budapest, Brussels, London, Moscow, Paris, Stockholm, Vienna …), America (Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco …), Canada (Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto), Japan (Osaca, Tokyo …), Israel, Cyprus, the choir achieved great success in Taiwan.
The ensemble has a wide repertoire of sacred and secular music. In his performance you can hear Gregorian chants, Renaissance music, concert masses, stylizations of folk songs and the work of contemporary composers. Several Slovak composers dedicated their compositions to him (L. Bernáth, V. Gräffinger, I. Hrušovský, M. Kroupa, M. Kittner, P. Martinček, E. Suchoň, S. Šurin, I. Zeljenka.). He collaborates with excellent world and Slovak soloists. Reliable vocal technique is used in all music genres, the boys are happy to collaborate with soloists of popular music.
The Bratislava Boys’ Choir has 7 CDs, 2 DVD films, shot in cooperation with Slovak Television, TV films and cooperation with world film companies (Hallmark, Miramax …). He is the holder of the first prizes from competitions in the USA (Des Moines), Russia (Moscow) and Italy (Lecco) and many important awards, such as the Minister of Culture Award, the Gold Medal of the President of the Slovak Republic Many soloists and excellent choir singers grew up in the choir, and so far six young conductors have emerged from his ranks. Top Slovak teachers – sopranos Mgr.Art. Miriam Garajová, Monika Maglayová and pianist Mgr. art. Dana Hajóssy, MgA conductor has a significant share in the study of new choral literature. Gabriel Rovňák Jr., PhD., Who grew up in the body and is currently one of his leading personalities.
Academic choir VŠB-TUO (CZ)
The VŠB-TUO Academic Choir is a chamber mixed choir led by conductor Adam Sedlický. The choir represents the University of Mining – Technical University of Ostrava at Czech and foreign festivals and also organizes concerts in Ostrava and its surroundings throughout the year. It was established in 2007 as a student organization, which freely followed the high school Chamber Choir EXIL at the Pavel Tigrid Language Grammar School in Ostrava (2000–2007).
The choir has won a number of awards during its existence, most recently 2nd place at the Intermationaler Chorwettbewerb 2019 Spittal / Drau in the “folk song” category. At Voce Magna 2018, the choir won the “mixed adult chamber choirs” category and was second overall in the “adult choirs” category, advancing to the Grand Prix competition winning. Adam Sedlický also won a special award for his conducting performance. In the competition between university choirs at the Slovak international competition Academic Banská Bystrica 2017, the choir won the category of chamber choirs, also won the award for the best interpretation of the obligatory composition and became the absolute winner of the entire festival. In May 2017, the choir participated in an international competition in Varna, Bulgaria. It gained 3rd place and a special award for a promising, young conductor. On the domestic scene, the choir won the Jihlava Festival of Choral Art 2016, where it won the gold belt and became the absolute winner of the category with compulsory composition.
The choir established cooperation with the VŠB-TU Ostrava Orchestra and organized a joint concert in the VŠB-TUO auditorium. At the Festa Academica 2017 festival, the choir sang among selected ensembles in the Prague Rudolfinum.
Cantata (PL)
The Academic Choir of The Cracow University of Technology „Cantata” was found in1990. The choir consists of university students, graduates and employees. Since February 2001 it is conducted by Marta Stós.
Cantata performs compositions coming from different periods, ranging from Middle Ages until contemporary times. There are sacred and secular music, folk songs, carols and gospel.
The choir collaborates with orchestras in major projects, performing great works of classical music, including Magnificat and Gloria by A.Vivaldi, Coronation Mass and Requiem By W.A.Mozart.,
The Choir participates in polish and foreign festivals and competitions, it has had several successes (including I-st Prize at the International Festival of Academic Choirs i”Universitas” in Ivanovo, Russia (2003), „Golden Band” at the XX Festival of Advent and Christmas Carols in Prague, Czech Republic (2010), 2 „Diploma d’Oro” at the 10-th Festival Venezia in Musica in Lido Iesolo, Italy (2012), I-st Prize in the category of Academic Choirs at the festival „Cantio Lodziensis” –Poland (2017), II-nd Prize at the International Festival of Orthodox Music „Hajnówka 2020” –Białystok Poland (2020)
Choir Cantata has performed in Poland and abroad: in Austria, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Russia, Slovakia and Ukraine.
The Choir takes an active part in the musical life of Cracow. It graces many events at its Alma Mater, from meetings of the Senate to the Days of Culture of the University.
MUSIC GUESTS – FESTIVAL VOCE MAGNA 2019
Iuventus, gaude! (CZ)
Children’s Choir of and Art School Jablonec nad Nisou IUVENTUS, GAUDE! (“Youth, rejoice!”) Established in September 2005 and includes 5 church departments with a total of 190 children.
• PUERI, GAUDETE! / Children, rejoice! / – 1st class of primary school
• LIBERI, GAUDETE! – Girls / Children, rejoice! / – 2nd and 3rd class of primary school
• HOME, GAUDETE! – boys – 2nd – 6th grade of primary school
• AMICI, GAUDETE! / Friends, rejoice! / (Pre-concert preparation) – from 4th grade of primary school
• IUVENTUS, GAUDE! / Youth, rejoice! / (Concert Choir) – children aged 11-18 years.
Since its formation, IUVENTUS, GAUDE! organises regular autumn meetings with various inspiring artists. In the years 2006 – 2018 he met at improvisation concerts with Jiří Stivín and Štěpán Rak, in the following years with the choir Hradišťan (2011), Musica Florea (joint performance of the oratory Messiah 2012), the band Spiritual Quintet (2013), violinist Alexander Shonert (2014) and organist Přemysl Kšica (2016). In September 2017 it performed at a concert with violinist Jaroslav Svěcený.
In 2009, the choir was selected to accompany Pope Benedict XVI. with children during his visit to Prague.
Iuventus, Gaude has already won 6 gold and 1 silver medal at World choir Games- 2008 (Graz, Austria), 2012 (Cincinnati, USA), 2014 (Riga, Latvia) and last 1 gold and 1 silver 2018 (Tshwane, South Africa).
The choir also won the 2011 World Choir Games (Graz, Austria) and the absolute Grand Prix – 2011 (Graz, Austria) and 2016 (Torun, Poland).
The choir was nominated the Choir of the Year 2012 and in 2016 it was invited to organize a concert at the Prague Spring International Music Festival.
The choir works under the leadership of choirmaster MgA. Tomáš Pospíšil, voice advisor PaedDr. Alena Tichá and piano accompaniment Mgr. Jana Lišková Kvochová.
Vocal Overdose (CZ)
Vocal Overdose – The Original Barbershop Quartet
As one of the few quartets in the Czech Republic, they decided to go the way of the barbershop style that has not been explored so far. This style is almost unknown phenomenon in the Czech and Slovak regions among ordinary listeners as well as in professional singing circles. Vocal Overdose is successful with its performances. The biggest is the victory in the category of singing groups at the festival Jirkovský Písňovar in 2018. This competition proved the quartet that it is the right way of making music. The repertoire of Vocal Overdose does not contain songs from the Renaissance, Baroque or Romantic period. Voce Magna Festival welcomes them as guests. Their focus, composition and interpretation will contribute to diversity of the festival program. They can be seen as an inspiration for the establishment of a barbershop quartet or choir.
IVAN FILIPOVIC Chamber Choir Zagreb (HR)
Chamber Choir IVAN FILIPOVIC Zagreb was founded in 1998 and is one of the most successful a cappella ensembles in Croatia. High vocal and esthetic level of performing and a specific chamber repertory of high performing level are Choir’s characteristics since the very beginning.
Although being an amateur ensemble, confirmation of such serious devotion to music are numerous awards on international competitions (Grand Prix at 14th International Choir Competition in Verona [Italy] 2003; Gold Medal at 3rd Choir Olympics in Bremen [Germany] 2004; Gold and Silver Medal at 4th World Choir Games, Xiamen [China] 2006; Grand Prix and Gold Diploma at 2nd Musica Sacra a Roma, Roma [Italy] 2007; Gold Medal at Istanbul International Choir Festival and Competition, Istanbul [Turkey] 2011 as well as high praises and positive reviews.
In June 2015 the Choir has performed at the General Assembly Hall United Nations Headquarters in New York at the Celebration for The Rhythms of One World 2015 International Choral Festival. This festival celebrated the 70th Anniversary of the Signing of the United Nations’ Charter.
Choir’s activities are marked with intensive a cappella concerts all over Croatia, as well as abroad (Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, China, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Israel, Taiwan, Turkey, Scotland, Spain, USA etc.).
From the diapason of its copious concert activities special mention is given to oratorios: J. S. Bach Magnificat and Weihnachts-Oratorium, A. Bruckner Te Deum, D. Buxtehude Membra Jesu nostri, A. Campra Requiem, J. Gilles Requiem, G. F. Handel Dettingen Te Deum, M.-A. Charpentier In Nativitatem Domini canticum and Te Deum, J. Haydn The Creation, W. A. Mozart Mass in C-minor and Requiem, A. Vivaldi Gloria, G. Mahler Symphony of a Thousand…
In 2003 Choir published a CD titled “a cappella”. Music recorded here is a vivid picture of Choir’s sound and repertory identity – performances of early and contemporary music unified by warm chamber sound.
In 2010 Choir released its second CD and DVD titled “Dieterich Buxtehude: Membra Jesu nostri”, and in 2013 third CD/DVD and also music book “Praizvedbe u HAZU” – Contemporary choral music based on Croatian traditional themes.