Academic Music Ensemble of the Silesian University of Technology celebrated its 30th anniversary
On the 20th of June, in the auditorium of the Education and Congress Centre of the Silesian University of Technology, a jubilee concert of the Academic Music Ensemble of the Silesian University of Technology took place. Participants could listen to pieces from Polish pop music in new arrangements by Klaudiusz Jani.
There were hits by Zbigniew Wodecki, Grzegorz Turnau, Stanisław Soyka, Czesław Niemen, Perfect and Bajm bands – it was a real musical feast. The Silesian University of Technology Academic Music ensemble celebrated its 30th anniversary in a great way and presented its highest form.
The audience that filled the Education and Congress Centre Hall spent the Saturday afternoon in a perfect way, and immediately after the appearance of the artists on the stage, even before the performance, rewarded them with huge applause. Later, for more than an hour, the audience listened to the songs.
- Congratulations on a beautiful anniversary and an excellent concert. I wish you not only another 30 years of singing together, but definitely more – said the Vice-Rector for General Affairs Prof. Dr Hab. Eng. Bożena Skołud.
Three decades of singing together
Over a thousand people, dozens of concerts, and hundreds of memories – this is how we can briefly describe the history of the Academic Music Ensemble operating at the Silesian University of Technology. This year, the Ensemble celebrates its jubilee, which is not only an opportunity to summarize, but also to look into the future.
Thirty years ago, a group of young people from the Silesian University of Technology Choir decided to start their band. The then Rector of the Silesian University of Technology, Prof. Wilibald Winkler agreed to this, naming it “The Academic Music Ensemble of the Silesian University of Technology.” Thus, a new musical history at the Silesian University of Technology began. From the beginning, the Ensemble, which consists of a choir and orchestra, is headed by Prof. Krystyna Krzyżanowska-Łoboda. Initially, the repertoire was entertaining, but over the years it evolved toward ambitious vocal and vocal-instrumental forms.
– The Ensemble was created out of the need to create something of its own – more dynamic, younger, with a different atmosphere – recalls one of the co-founders and currently the president, Elwira Kołodziejczyk.
The Ensemble can still count on the support of the university. – It is really a phenomenon that the Silesian University of Technology in its structures allows for the activity of as many as five artistic ensembles: two choirs, a dance ensemble, an orchestra, and a theatre. In many places, such initiatives are disappearing – emphasizes Krystyna Krzyżanowska-Łoboda.
Today the choir consists of about 40 singers and a group of instrumentalists. Its strength remains diversity – both musical and generational. The youngest members are only 17 years old, the oldest about 70.
– This is probably one of the most beautiful things in our Ensemble – people come together here at completely different stages of life, and all share a passion for singing – emphasizes Katarzyna Dudek, former president of the choir.
Each member of the team remembers their beginnings differently. Katarzyna Dudek joined the Academic Music Ensemble (AZM) exactly 30 years ago.
- I came to the choir when my dad was invited to the 50th anniversary of the Academic Choir of the Silesian University of Technology, to which he belonged. That was 30 years ago. In the same year, Academic Music Ensemble (AZM) was formed as a separate group, which was approved by the then Rector. I followed those young people who founded it and I am still with them with a couple of years of break – says Katarzyna.
She sings together with teenagers, such as Jakub - a pupil of the Academic Secondary Comprehensive School of the Silesian University of Technology who is one of the youngest members of the band.
- My mother was a chorister, so I have family traditions related to it. I always wanted to sing myself, so when I saw a poster that there were rehearsals of the Academic Music Ensemble on Tuesdays and Thursdays, I decided to try it. Although I knew that the recruitment deadline had already passed, I succeeded and here I am – recalls Samuel, a student of the Faculty of Mining, Safety Engineering, and Industrial Automation.
Members of the AZM admit that it is becoming increasingly difficult to encourage young people to sing in choirs. - I think it used to be more natural. Today we have to fight for this common passion – adds Elwira Kołodziejczyk.
However, the doors of the Ensemble remain wide open. The auditions are friendly and the hearings are not deterred by the level of difficulty. - It is enough for someone to hear and repeat the sound. The rest can be learned, assures Ms Elwira.
Choir as a family
The Academic Music Ensemble is not just music. It is also a relationship that often lasts a lifetime. - I met my husband here. We liked each other on the choral trips and after returning from one of them we started to meet. At our wedding in 2002, the choir also sang – says Elwira Kołodziejczyk with a smile.
They are not the only couple who share a love of music. The conductor Krystyna Krzyżanowska-Łoboda and her husband Marek also met in the choir. – On the first New Year’s Eve, which we spent among the choir friends, I was with another girl, but at 2 am I was already dancing only with Krysia – recalls Mr. Marek.
The conductor jokes that the counting of couples that had their beginning in AZM ended at 50 marriages.
- We also have more than a hundred children who were born to the members of the Ensemble during these 30 years - recalls Krystyna.
Over the years, the Ensemble has developed its own traditions. One of them was “Children’s Day” – family integration trips that were interrupted by the pandemic.
- For these trips to Istebna, sixty-seventy children came. There was integration, fun and singing together. We recall it with sentiment. Maybe we’ll get back to that, - says Marek.
However, Christmas concerts and Christmas Eve meetings are organized to this day, and the former singers eagerly take part in them.
Travel and adventure
The 90s were a period of intense foreign travel. In one year, the choir visited, among others, Portugal, Spain, France, Switzerland, Andorra, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, and Finland. There were also trips to the Czech Republic, Germany, and Ukraine. The choristers tried to remember all the trips, and each had memories.
– These were completely different times. The average person could not afford to go abroad, and we were lucky to be able to do so. This gave great opportunities and helped in the recruitment – recalls Krystyna Krzyżanowska-Łoboda.
The trips brought with them various adventures. Also, those related to border crossings, border controls, and the performances themselves.
- The waiting for the opportunity to travel was long and tiring. Sometimes, to cross the border, we just started singing – recalls Elwira Kołodziejczyk.
The customs officers were also surprised by the fact that among the choristers of the Polish band there were an American and a German. This raised some suspicions, but some time ago the citizens of these countries were also members of the Ensemble. To this day, they are still in contact with the rest of the team.
- When once a year Michael and his wife Kasia (whom he met in AZM) visit us, all the members of the Ensemble who remember him gather for a rehearsal and sing together - adds Ms. Elwira.
There were also no surprises at the concerts. A lost tune, disappearing notes or an overturned chorus line – all of this became part of an Ensemble legend.
- I remember when we ran out of black toner in the photocopier and we had to print the notes in red. During the concert, the red light was switched on, the notes disappeared… fortunately, we managed without them – recalls Mrs. Elwira.
For a long time, the choristers also remembered a concert in the church, during which a strong air flow was turned on, and the notes of the instrumentalists suddenly soared up. Earlier, a tripping of one of the choristers caused a tripping and overturning of the whole line of choristers. It is difficult to maintain total seriousness in such moments.
The conductor also remembers the performance with a broken leg. – It was in the cathedral in Gliwice. Nothing was impossible for me. It was just a leg resting on a chair, and I was doing my own thing, and it took a while, because the performance took place during mass with the bishop.
The jubilee year is very intense for the Ensemble. In autumn, the next, 14th edition of the International Music Workshops “Musica pro Europa” was planned, during which AZM will perform “Stabat Mater” by Gioachin Rossini. The Silesian University of Technology Symphony Orchestra and Bach Chor Bonn from Germany were invited to cooperate on this project. The plan also includes joint workshops and a concert with the participation of the renowned band “Mdzlevari” from Georgia.
Text: Katarzyna Siwczyk, Martin Huć
Photos:
Martin Huć
