Feichtinum Choir

The Feichtinum Choir of the Karol Lipiński Academy of Music in Wrocław was founded in 1988 on the initiative of Prof. Zofia Urbanyi-Krasnodębska, who also proposed naming the ensemble after the university's first rector, Rev. Prof. Hieronim Feicht.

For the next seven years, the ensemble worked under the direction of its founder, actively performing abroad and participating, among others, in the Florilege de Tours Choir Festival in France (1991) and several times in the Barbórka Academic Choir Festivals in Wrocław, where in 1989 it received an award for the best performance of a Baroque piece.

In 1995, Bogusława Orzechowska took over the leadership of the Feichtinum Choir. Under her direction, the ensemble performed many premieres of works by contemporary Wrocław composers and won second prize and a special distinction at the Lucjan Laprus Choral Song Competition in Wrocław (1999). In 2000, under the direction of the then second conductor, Jolanta Szybalska-Matczak, the choir received a distinction at the Legnica Cantat National Choir Competition.

From 2005/2006 to 2013/2014, Jolanta Szybalska-Matczak was the choir's director.

Currently, Artur Wróbel is the director and conductor of the Feichtinum Choir. The choir's recent achievements include:

  • participation in the Eurochestries Charente-Maritime International Festival in France (2014),
  • premiere performance of Michał Ziółkowski's ‘Missa Brevis’ (2017),
  • GRAND PRIX at the 6th National Festival of Academic Choirs Vivat Academia in Warsaw (2017),
  • Gold Diploma and Special Award for the best performance of a Passion piece at the 5th International Szczecin Passion Music Festival (2018),
  • Gold Diploma and title of winner in the Academic Choir Category and Special Award for the best interpretation of a religious piece at the 4th Józef Świder International Competition in Cieszyn (2018).
  • Gold Diploma at the 50th National Choir Competition ‘Legnica Cantat’ (2019).

The Feichtinum Choir performs many artistic tasks at the Academy: it cooperates on a regular basis with the Academic Symphony Orchestra, participating in presentations of large vocal and instrumental forms. It graces the inauguration ceremonies of the academic year and numerous celebrations in the Wrocław academic community with its performances, and also performs during Lent Concerts and Christmas Carol Concerts organised throughout the region. The choir also serves as a conducting workshop during the International Choral Conducting Competitions Towards Polyphony, organised at the Academy by the Department of Choral Singing and Ensemble Conducting.

The Feichtinum Choir also plays an important educational role for students of the Faculty of Music Education during their conducting internships, which culminate each year in diploma concerts. In addition, the students' participation in rehearsals and performances deepens their practical skills in collective voice production and ensemble conducting methodology, as well as their knowledge of choral literature. Therefore, the choir's repertoire includes a cappella works by Polish and European composers of the Renaissance, Baroque, Romantic and contemporary periods.

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