Eighty years of the Academic Choir of the Silesian University of Technology
Between the 9th and 11th of May 2025, 42nd Gliwice Choral Meetings named after Prof. Czeslaw Freund took place. The festival, which has been organized for many years by the Association of Friends of Culture and the Academic Choir of the Silesian University of Technology, aims to present the full spectrum of forms and styles brought by domestic and foreign choral music, as well as to popularize vocal music among the inhabitants of the city of Gliwice.
The Design Choir under the direction of Prof. Jan Borowski performed during the first concert, which took place at the Student Culture Centre “Mrowisko” The audience had the opportunity to listen to many well-known entertainment music works, in choral arrangements. The performance was enriched with artistic visualizations, as well as pieces
accompanied by violin or piano.
The culmination of the festival was a Saturday jubilee concert on stage in the ruins of the “Victoria” Theatre. It was also an opportunity to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the Academic Choir of the Silesian University of Technology. The ceremony began with official congratulations and awards for the Choir and choir members.
Next, the audience had an opportunity to listen to the premiere of “Canticum Canticorum” – a unique composition by Małgorzata Maliszczak, which combined classical music with elements of jazz. The piece was composed specifically for this occasion. The vocal parts of the Bride and the Bridegroom were performed by Agnieszka Maliszczak-Hanzel and Marcin Jajkiewicz, while Maja Giedwiłło was the voice of the Angel. Katarzyna Gacek Duda played ethnic flutes. The music band consisted of: Dorota Zaziąbło, Piotr Domagała, Michał Kapczuk, Patryk Zakrzewski and on the piano – the composer Małgorzata Maliszczak herself. The choral part was performed by the Academic Choir of the Silesian University of Technology, and the whole performance was led by Tomasz Giedwiłło.
The performance aroused great emotions, and the artists were rewarded with standing ovations.
The last day of the festival began with vocal workshops led by Jan Krutul, a composer and conductor. Participants improved their skills and discovered the secrets of musical interpretation, ending the meeting in an inspiring atmosphere.
The culmination of the festival was a concert in the parish church of St. Bartholomew in Gliwice. The first performer was the Academic Choir of the Wrocław University of Technology. Under the direction of two conductors, Maria Vynnytska and Myroslava Yefimenko, the choir presented a wide repertoire, surprising the audience with dynamic changes in settings that enriched the reception of music.
Then came “In Tempore” Choir under the direction of Bartłomiej Kwiatkowski. The performers provided the audience with extraordinary musical impressions, presenting “Bogurodzica” in the composer’s own arrangement, who, at the same time, performed the organ part of this work.
The 42nd edition of the Gliwice Choral Meetings Festival once again proved that music brings generations together and enriches the culture of the city. This year, combining the events with the celebration of the 80th anniversary of the choir, they brought many unforgettable moments and musical surprises that will remain in the memory of the performers and listeners for a long time.
This year’s edition was sponsored by: President of Gliwice Katarzyna Kuczyńska-Budka, Rector of the Silesian University of Technology, Prof. Dr Hab. Eng. Marek Pawełczyk and Bishop of Gliwice Sławomir Oder.
The event would not have happened without the support of sponsors: Silesian University of Technology, Victoria Culture Centre, the City of Gliwice, Energopomiar and the Silesian Union of Choirs and Orchestras. Special thanks are also addressed to Zofia Kozłowska from CK Victoria, the “Kwiatowe Atelier” florist from Gliwice, the bistro “Wydział Smaków,” the company WK Pasternak, the company Anderski-Instrumenty Muzyczne and Magdalena Darmoń and Lukasz Pajora from the Photoeducation association. Their invaluable help helped to organize the event at a high level.
Text:
Magdalena Piecuch, Marta Sanigórska
Photograph Magdalena Darmoń
