Adam Mickiewicz University Academic Choir (Poznan, Poland)
The origins of the Academic Choir of Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznan date back to 1966. The choir consists of both students and academic staff from various Poznan universities. In its history, the Choir has been conducted by eminent musicians and has always referred to rich choral traditions of Greater Poland province. In October 2010, it was Ms. Beata Bielska who became an artistic director and conductor of the Choir. She has been a long serving assistant of a famous composer and choirmaster Jacek Sykulski. Under his baton, the choir experienced a period of great and dynamic development and gave concerts on many stages, both in Poland and abroad. The choir performed in almost all of the European countries and in the United States of America, Canada, Bolivia, China, Japan and Taiwan.
The Academic Choir of Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznan clearly stands out from the whole richness of Polish tradition of choral singing. Considerable uniqueness can be observed not only with regards to voice production, but also the repertoire. The Choir sings a substantial amount of pieces which have been composed and arranged especially for them. The choir carries out an intense concert activity. It is a truly multi-talented group, what can be proved by a broad repertoire and various concert forms.
Within the last 15 years, the Choir has performed i.a. in Vatican (2001), the U.S. Capitol (2001), New York ‘Ground Zero’ in the ruins of the World Trade Centre (2001), Notre Dame in Montreal (2002), Berlin Haus des Rundfunks (2003), National Concert Hall in Taipei (2005), Tokyo City Hall, Konzerthaus Berlin, Berliner Dom (2006), St. Patrick Cathedral in New York (2007) and at the festival ‘Misiones de Chiquitos’ in Bolivia (2008 and 2010).
The Academic Choir of Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznan is also an initiator of a series of concerts called ‘The Bridges of Songs’ (pol. ‘Mosty Pieśni’). Music groups from all around the world have been invited to perform. Until now, the Choir has met and given concerts in the Adam Mickiewicz University Concert Hall together with the Taipei Male Choir from Taiwan, academic choirs from Boston and Harvard, the Canna Choir from Nagoyi and the Ensemble of Soloists from the Sankt Petersburg Philharmony.
The Choir has recorded many CDs, i.a. ‘Tribute to USA’ (2002), recorded on the occasion of the first anniversary of the tragic 9/11 attacks, ‘If ye love me’ (2004), a disc with light music in a capella arrangement, ‘Missa 1956’ (2006), a monumental masterpiece written by Jacek Sykulski for an orchestra, two choirs and soloists in commemoration of Poznań 1956 protests, ‘Musica Sacromontana’ (2007), an album with the recordings of Józef Zeidler’s pieces, awarded in 2008 a prestigious prize of Polish phonographic industry called Fryderyk, ‘Can you hear the Christmas’ (2007), an album with Jacek Sykulski’s own arrangements of popular carols and ‘Wolności dla nas idzie czas’, a great instrumental and vocal piece written by Jacek Sykulski for 3 choirs, philharmonic orchestra and soloists.
The overriding idea, the artistic creed of the director and all the singers of the Academic Choir of Adam Mickiewicz University is to bring joy through singing. Both the director and the Choir are strongly convinced that music which they perform is a universal language, understandable for everyone, regardless of a place of living or faith. Music from heart to heart!
Conductor Beata Bielska
A singer, choir mistress and teacher. Completed The Frederick Chopin Public Music School in Olsztyn in which she attended a cello class of professor Józef Bartkowski. Graduated from The Ignacy Jan Paderewski Academy of Music in Poznań, in the Faculty of Choral Conducting, Music Education and Church Music, in a class of the Academy of Music professor Magdalena Wdowicka – Mackiewicz.
Among numerous music undertakings, Ms. Bielska’s focus is predominantly choral music. She founded her first ensemble when she was only 14 years old and led it successfully until her leave from a home town, Olsztyn, which was the time of her beginning of the studies at Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań. Then she became a member and a soloist of the AMU Choir, directed by Jacek Sykulski.
Hard work and studies at Poznań Music Academy bore fruit when she was given the function of Mr. Jacek Sykulski’s personal music assistant in the AMU Choir in 2006 and in Poznań Boys’ Choir in 2008.
She performed with both choirs as a soloist and worked as a music assistant. She sang not only in the European countries (i.e. Germany, the Netherlands, Denmark, France, Russia, Italy, the Czech Republic), but also on the Asiatic Continent – in China, Japan and Taiwan. She gave concerts in Canada and in the USA, as well as in South America. Their performances did more than once take place in such noble concert halls and temples like St. Patrick Cathedral in New York, Berliner Dom, Konzerthaus Berlin, Les Invalided in Paris, the U.S. Capitol, The Harvard University Concert Hall, Tokio Town Hall, The Tai Pei Concert Hall, The Sankt Petersburg Philharmony and Santa Cruz Cathedral in Bolivia.
Ms. Bielska took charge of the Adam Mickiewicz University Choir in 2010. She has been creating her own artistic vision, as well as continuing group’s sound traditions. The Choir under the direction of Ms. Beata Bielska performs both a capella, using colouring and abilities of the most perfect music instrument which is human voice, and takes part in various symphonic projects, i.a. an innovative, international project Michael Jackson Symphonically.