Cantores Minores (Warsaw)

Cantores Minores
Choir
Founded 1990 (28 years ago)
Founder Joseph A. Herter
Chief conductor
  • Joseph A. Herter (1990–2016)
  • Franciszek Kubicki (2016-present)
Headquarters Warsaw
Affiliation St. John’s Archcathedral in Warsaw
Website cantoresminores.pl

Cantores Minores is a Polish male voice choir established in 1990 and affiliated with St. John’s Archcathedral in Warsaw.

Cantores Minores (2016)
Cantores Minores (2007)
Cantores Minores (2004)
Cantores Minores (2004)
Cantores Minores (1993)

History

Choir was founded in 1990 by Joseph A. Herter, with the help of Ryszard Gieros and Alfred Stefankiewicz. Almost from the very beginning, it has been affiliated with St. John’s Archcathedral in Warsaw. The year 2016 saw changes in the Choir’s organizational structure. Ryszard Gieros was replaced by Henryk Grocholski, a long-time member of the Choir, as President of the Board of the Cantores Minores Choral Association. Another long-time member of the Choir Franciszek Kubicki took over the post of conductor. Jakub Szafrański is his assistant. Joseph Herter received the title 'Honorary Conductor – Founder of Cantores Minores' and Ryszard Gieros – 'Honorary President of the Board – Founder of Cantores Minores'.

Repertoire

The Choir has a broad repertoire including Gregorian chant, a cappella sacred works (for Lent and Advent, Passion songs, Christmas carols), sacred compositions with the accompaniment of organ and other instruments, as well as patriotic and popular songs.

The Choir sings during the 11:00 a.m. Mass at St. John’s Archcathedral every fourth Sunday of the month as well as during major church holidays. It also performs at religious ceremonies in other churches, as well as at various cultural events.

Achievements and important events

In addition to singing at the celebrations of Sunday Mass, the Choir has performed with many Polish symphony orchestras, including the Warsaw Philharmonic and Sinfonia Varsovia, as well as with such foreign orchestras as The Academy of the London Mozarteum, Orchestre des pays de la Loire and Berliner Symphoniker. Foreign tours have taken the Choir to over 20 countries in Europe and the United States.[1]

It has won numerous awards at international choral competitions, including those in Lecco, Italy (1997), Moscow (2000), Prague (2002, 2003, 2004), Międzyzdroje, Poland (2004) and Warsaw (2013, 2015, 2016).[2] In the autumn of 2016, it won First Prize at the 12th Varsovia Cantat International Festival (in the chamber choirs category).

Highlights in the activities of the Choir have included a concert at the Vatican's Sala Nervi televised by Rai Uno and broadcast live by Eurovision (2000) and a concert in Strasbourg to mark the European Day of Cultural Dialogue, shown by the French TV cable station Mezzo in almost 40 countries (2008). In 2012, six members of the Choir were invited to perform with the internationally famous jazzman Bobby McFerrin in Warsaw.

Professional Organizations

Cantores Minores is a member of the Polish Union of Choruses and Orchestras and of the Polish branch of Pueri Cantores, an international federation of church choirs originally established for boys and men.[3]

References

  1. ↑ "Cantores Minores – Warszawski Chór Archikatedralny". Polskie Centrum Informacji Muzycznej. 2012. Retrieved 2015-02-10.
  2. ↑ "I miejsce Cantores Minores na Varsovia Cantat – Cantores Minores – Archikatedralny Chór Męski". www.cantoresminores.pl. Retrieved 2016-12-09.
  3. ↑ "Lista chórów polskiej sekcji Pueri Cantores". puericantores.pl. Retrieved 2016-12-10.
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