Voices of Polish Pride

Weaving Voices of Tradition and Innovation: The Poznań Boys’ Choir’s Artistic Lineage and International Mission

The Poznań Boys’ Choir is more than just a boys’ choir; it is a symbol of Polish musical culture. It was born on September 1, 2003, but its spiritual roots are deeply rooted in a tradition that dates back to 1945, when it was founded to create “voices of hope” in the midst of postwar devastation. The impetus for its founding came from the strong will of the mayor of Poznan to preserve the culture. This was not a mere reorganization, but a decision for cultural renewal that would simultaneously take on the “continuity” and “evolution” of the arts.

Its founder, Jerzy Kruczewski (1924-1995), was a lone figure in the Polish choral world of the 20th century. His achievements as a conductor and educator culminated in the creation of Poland’s only “choral school,” founded in 1957, and his first Poznań Boys Choir, which gave over 2,200 performances on four continents and made its mark on the world stage at venues such as Carnegie Hall, the Berlin Philharmonic, and the Musikverein in Vienna. The choir has performed over 2,200 concerts on four continents and has made a name for itself on international stages such as Carnegie Hall, the Berlin Philharmonic and the Musikverein in Vienna. The choir has also been active in world premieres of new works by contemporary composers, thus fulfilling a creative mission that goes beyond the “re-creation” of the arts.

Since 2003, the composer and conductor Jacek Szykulski has continued this glorious lineage and led a new artistic development. Under his direction, the choir has further enhanced its international outreach, giving voice to Poland’s cultural identity throughout the world, including Germany, France, the Netherlands, Russia, Japan, the United States, China, and Bolivia. The stage is truly magnificent – from the Berlin Philharmonic, the Vienna Musikverein, the Berlin Konzerthaus, the Gewandhaus in Leipzig, Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, the Rudolfinum in Prague, the St. Petersburg Philharmonic, to the Harmony Hall in Changsha and Matsumoto, China. The choir has established itself as a choir that truly “sings the world.

The choir also plays an important role as the core of artistic activities in the city of Poznan. The Poznan Choral Society is the core of the community’s culture, organizing and managing numerous choral arts promotion projects, including the “Poznan Caroling – Christmas Music Festival” held every year at the end of the year.

Its artistic achievements are reflected in numerous awards, including the “Pearl of Culture” honorary award in 2012, and recognition from the Polish Ministry of Culture and National Heritage in 2014 and 2021. Such internal and external recognition is not merely a testament to its technical standards, but also to the Poznań Boys Choir’s role as a “diplomat of culture”.

Today, the Poznan Boys Choir is a rare entity that transcends the boundaries of the boys’ choral genre and practices “artistic diplomacy through the voice. Its activities are not merely a matter of playing music, but also of crossing national borders, connecting the ages, and echoing the “memory and pride of Poland” in the hearts of the people.

Poznan Boys Choir to partner with JBCA in 2024

We are pleased to officially announce our partnership with the Poznan Boys Choir, one of Poland’s most prestigious choral groups.

The Poznan Boys Choir is an internationally acclaimed choral group that has given many moving performances around the world. Through this partnership with the Poznań Boys Choir, with its outstanding voice and rich tradition, we will pursue new possibilities for international exchange through music. This partnership aims to build connections that transcend national borders through music and culture.

The association plans to deepen its cooperation with the Poznan Boys Choir in the future, planning a wide variety of activities, including joint projects and special performances. Through these efforts, we will further promote the development of choral culture and international exchange.

https://pchch.pl/en/

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