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The singing tradition in Krosno dates back to the beginning of the 20th century. It was then when a teacher and composer, Franciszek Konior, set up a teachers’ choir at the Teacher Training College in Krosno.
In the interwar period the choirs were conducted by a school inspector, Stanisław Chrzanowski. After the Second World War, in autumn 1945, Władysław Sokołowicz, at that time an organist at the parish church in Krosno, set up a choir and became its conductor. The first patron of the choir was the Finance Departament of the Municipal Government in Krosno, then ’Robotnik’ Cooperative and since 1963 it has been the Krosno branch of the Polish Teachers’
Association.
Władysław Sokołowicz was the artistic manager and conductor of the choir until 1957. Then, in the years 1958 – 59, it was conducted by Jan Szewczyk and Henryk Koszela. In 1960 the bate was taken over by Tomasz Urbanek who worked with the choir non-stop until 1991 when he handed it over to Renata Zajdel. The present conductor, Mariola
Rybczak, has been conducting the choir since August 2004.
The following presidents of the choir were as follows: Adam Komusiński, Tadeusz Czajkowski, Jan Garda, Czesław Ludwinowski, Franciszek Tenerowicz, Tadeusz Komar, Zdzisław Trynkiewicz, Ernest Golik, Zofia Klimaszewska-Nycz, Kazimierz Jamroga (1970 – 2002) and since 2002 it has been Andrzej Wilk. A good cooperation between the management, Teachers’ Association and the conductors favours artistic development of the group.
In its rich concert activity the choir performs mainly in Krosno region but also in numerous towns and cities in Poland and abroad. So far it has given a total of about 1000 concerts. Among others it took part in: Choir Song Festivals in Katowice (1979 and 1984) and Poznań (1962 and 1987), twenty Reviews of Teachers’ Artistic Groups, ’Cantate Deo’ Festival in Rzeszów – winning the second (1998) and the third (2004) prizes, Festival in Koszyce (2005) where it got a diploma, International Choir Festival in Bielsko-Biała where it got the Bronze Diploma (2006). The choir gives concerts during State an religious
ceremonies.
It carries on an artistic exchange with groups from abroad – Slovakia (Svidnik, Bardejov, Koszyce, Humenne, Brezno), Hungary ( Tiszavasvari, Miszkolc, Szerencs, Nyiregyhaza), Belgium (Aubange), Austria (Mödling near Vienna), Ukraine (Lvov, Krzemieniec) and numerous domestic choirs. In its repertoire it has about 300 compositions by Polish and foreign composers from Mediaval to contemporary times – among them: psalms, lilts, fragments of oratios, madrigals and masses, Polish and foreign folk and dance
melodies.
The choir cooperated and perfomed with Mandolin Orchestra from Krosno, Song and Dance Group of Krosno, Symphony Orchestra of Music Society in Krosno, Music Schools Complex String Orchestra in Krosno and its own Men and Women Quartets. The following soloists of the choir were: Maria Kulik, Anna Filip-Wasłowicz, Zofia Klimczak, Jacek Kądzielawa, Małgorzata Busz-Perkins, Janusz Janczura, Stanisława Mikołajczyk and Monika Niemczyk.
At the present president’s suggestion following events have been organized: ’Soli Deo Gloria’ Euroregional Concert of Carols (with the participation of choirs from abroad), ’Ave Maria’ – Song and Poem Party and concerts on the occasion of Pope’s Days. A very important event in the choir’s history was its participation in the mass led by Pope John Paul II in Krosno on 10th June 1997.
’Echo’ has recorded and released two CDs. At present in the group there are about 50 members. Since 1945 it has been a member of Polish Choirs and Orchestras’ Association. For its artistic activity it has been awarded with the Medal of the Committee of National Education, Diploma of the Minister of Culture and Art, the Gold Award of the Polish Teachers’ Association, the Gold Award with Laurel of the Polish Choirs and Orchestras’ Association, Award of Meritorious for Krosno Voivodship and numerous diplomas and cups. In 2006 it got the Award of the Marshal of Podkarpackie Voivodship.
Chór
Echo |
