The primary objective of the Polish Choral Grand Prix is to champion choral music and foster the exchange of knowledge among artists. This dual mandate encompasses organising workshops for the participating choristers and orchestrating concerts. A series of accompanying events are scheduled to take place from November 17 to 23 across the Wielkopolska region, featuring choir ensembles hailing from the broader Poznań area.

The central event of the Poznań proceedings, taking place on 24 November, will kick off with an inaugural concert at the Academy of Music featuring a performance by the Vołosi ensemble. This improvising string quintet comprises accomplished musicians from the Silesian Beskids highlander tradition and classical musicians. Their choice is far from arbitrary, as this year's Grand Prix theme revolves around Polish folk. Folk music will also be one of the central themes of the workshops, lectures, and meetings dedicated to musical interpretations, voice projection, and choir conducting, all set to commence on the same day. Distinguished masters will have the opportunity to glean insights from their peers. Notable artists, such as Jan Krutul, Ragnar Rasmussen, and Adam Strug, have been brought on to lead these workshops. Adam Strug, alongside the two-time winner of the Polish Choral Grand Prix, the "Rondo" Singing Ensemble from Wrocław, will deliver a special concert on 25 November.

The competition auditions will start at noon on the following day. This year's contenders include winners of key choral competitions in Poland, vying for the coveted title. The finalists for the Grand Prix comprise the "La Musica" Choir from Lublin (the younger ensemble), conducted by Joanna Knap (who clinched the 1st prize at the 41st National A Cappella Choir Competition for Children and Youth in Bydgoszcz), the Choir of the Gdańsk University of Technology, conducted by Mariusz Mróz (winners of the 58th Prof. Jan Szyrocki International Choral Festival in Międzyzdroje), the Interschool Girls' Choir of Krzysztof Kamil Baczyński Secondary School No. 3 in Białystok, conducted by Anna Olszewska (1st prize recipients at the 22nd Feliks Nowowiejski International Choral Music Festival in Barczewo), and the Chamber Choir of the Grażyna and Kiejstut Bacewicz Academy of Music in Łódź, conducted by Dawid Ber (top prize at the 53rd Legnica Cantat National Choir Tournament). The winners, whose names will be revealed immediately following the auditions, will appear in concert at 5 p.m. on 26 November. The Poznań jury will select the band that will receive the main prize. Additionally, two distinctions and an award for best performance of music by a Poznań composer will be presented.

The Polish Choral Grand Prix draws inspiration from two sources. One of them is the European Grand Prix for Choral Singing, which brings together ensembles selected in the most prominent choral competitions in Europe. The concept of bringing this idea to fruition in Poland was conceived by Poznań's choirmaster, Prof. Marek Gandecki, who presently serves as the Artistic Director of the Grand Prix. He is supported in implementing the competition by Krzysztof Panek, the Organisational Director, and Małgorzata Pawłowska, the Director of the Competition Office. The birthplace of the competition, Poznań, is no coincidence, as it stands as a prominent choral hub in Poland, boasting several exceptional ensembles, not least among them the Poznań Nightingales. The Grand Prix derives its ​name from its founder and conductor, Prof. Stefan Stuligrosz.

The inaugural edition of the Grand Prix, held in 2018, saw victory go to the Academic Choir of the Warsaw University of Technology, conducted by Dariusz Zimnicki. The subsequent editions were claimed by the Interschool Girls' Choir at the Krzysztof Kamil Baczyński Secondary School No. 3 in Białystok, conducted by Anna Olszewska (in 2021) and the "Rondo" Vocal Ensemble from Wrocław, conducted by Małgorzata Podzielna, securing top prizes in both 2019 and 2022. The question remains, who will join this esteemed club in 2023. Irrespective of the final decisions, Poznań is poised to become the choral capital of Poland in the latter part of November.

Paweł Binek

translation: Krzysztof Kotkowski

Stefan Stuligrosz Grand Prix of Polish Choir Singing

November 24-26

© Wydawnictwo Miejskie Posnania 2023