University Choir

A mixed ensemble, part of our university’s cultural activity, continues the choir traditions initiated in the 1970s and 1980s. The groups conducted then by Romuald Rajs, Ryszard Szekliński and Janusz Stanecki gave rise to the musical group, which has been continuously performing at important university ceremonies for over 20 years now. In 1996, maestro Radosław Wilkiewicz undertook to continue the choir tradition at the University. Under his guidance, the choir participated in many concerts and competitions in Poland and Europe.

In 2007, the artistic care of the choir was taken over by maestra Agnieszka Sowa, a Department of Choral Conducting and Music Education graduate at Bydgoszcz  Academy of Music (1999). She confirmed her skills and knowledge by graduating with honours from the Postgraduate Choirmaster Studies at the Academy of Music in Bydgoszcz and CAE in Warsaw (2002). The time since the Choir’s commencement and the number of people who have influenced its formation to testify to its rich history and experience. The current maestra underscores the issues of emission and voice work, the effects of which can be heard during performances.

The students of all Faculties of Bydgoszcz  University of Science and Technology, graduates of PBS and other universities in Bydgoszcz sing in the Choir. They share a passion for creative endeavours, a committed love of music, serious and frivolous, enthusiasm for expressing themselves through singing, and a desire to experience a great artistic adventure. It is a team of young people, full of commitment and joy of meeting together, who constantly wants to develop and broaden their musical horizons. Choir rehearsals are held twice weekly in the WRiB building at Bernardyńska 6 street in Bydgoszcz.

Apart from participating in all major ceremonies related to Bydgoszcz  University of Science and Technology (formerly the University of Technology and Life Sciences), the Choir takes part in the cultural life of the city of Bydgoszcz and the region. These activities include performances on the stage of the Pomeranian Philharmonic together with other choirs, soloists and the Pomeranian Philharmonic Orchestra (2012: Exodus and Victoria by Wojciech Kilar; 2013: Carmina Burana by Carl Orff; 2014: Mała Msza Radosna d-moll by Jerzy Derfel; Petite messe solennelle by Gioacchino Rossini; 2018: Bogurodzica by Wojciech Kilar, Symphony No. 9 by Ludwig van Beethoven). In October 2017, the Choir and Capella Bydgostiensis performed Antonio Vivaldi’s Gloria. In 2018, the ensemble performed twice in front of the Toruń audience, accompanied by the Academic Choir of the Nicolaus Copernicus University and the Toruń Symphony Orchestra, presenting Carla Orff’s Carmina Burana and with Bydgoszcz  Military Orchestra presenting film music repertoire. 
In 2019, the Choir participated in the concert entitled Oda do radości na 40-lecie! (Ode to Joy for the 40th anniversary!) performing with the academic choirs of Nicolaus Copernicus University, Bydgoszcz Kazimierz Wielki University, and Toruń Symphony Orchestra; the audience could listen to Symphony No. 9 in D minor, Op—125 by Ludwig van Beethoven. In June of the same year, with their performance of Partytura na głosy zwierzęce (Score for animal voices), the Choir inaugurated the 2nd Music at Wilhelm Blumwe Villa Festival at Wilhelm Blumwe’s Historical Factory: Woodworking Factory.

Numerous awards testify to the level presented by the ensemble won in national and international competitions. The Choir has performed numerous times on international stages (2009: Czechia, 2012: Bulgaria, 2014: Macedonia, 2017: Spain, 2019: Ukraine). 
Furthermore, the ensemble vigorously takes up challenges beyond the skills refined during the performance of classical compositions. In 2015 and 2016, the Choir took part, at the invitation of the Song and Dance Ensemble of Bydgoszcz  Region, in a patriotic concert on the occasion of Independence Day on November 11, entitled Kto Ty jesteś?/Polak Mały (Who are you?/A Polish child). Since 2016, the choir has also participated in an interesting project by Elżbieta Jabłońska, Partytura na głosy zwierzęce, which has already been presented in Toruń (twice in 2016), Bydgoszcz (twice: in 2017 and twice in 2019), Gdańsk (2017) and Białystok (2018).

Considering the long tradition of the Choir, the number of people involved in its co-creation, performances, competitions and paths travelled together, there is no doubt that the Academic Choir of Bydgoszcz  University of Science and Technology in Bydgoszcz is a very talented and fascinating collaborative. However, it should not be forgotten that the final sound and quality of performances are primarily the result of adding to the wonderful mix: the energetic Maestra and joyful Choristers: heart, passion and fun from singing together, which is so much in our choristers that it is impossible to measure

We invite everyone to the Academic Choir of Bydgoszcz  University of Science and Technology!