The Choirs 2024
Baden – Austria
Choirs participating in the 2024 International Choral Competition Ave Verum
Choir of Maritime University of Szczecin
Poland
The Choir of Maritime University of Szczecin conducted by Sylwia Fabiańczyk-Makuch, PhD, prof. at the Academy of Arts in Szczecin, has existed for 20 years. Currently, the ensemble gathers over 100 members; musicians and amateurs, enthusiasts of all kinds of music. From the very beginning, the Choir was a true showcase of the city and the region, representing it in the country and abroad (among others: Japan, Taiwan, Canada, Ecquador). Now the group has on its account: hundreds of concerts, over a dozen international tours, over 80 major prizes at prestigious choir festivals in Poland and abroad (among them 14 Grand Prix and 52 Golden Diplomas), 11 CDs, 17 music videos and numerous premieres of contemporary music. In 2023 its newest album The Sound of the Sea was nominated for a prestigious award Fryderyk (Polish Grammy). The choir is also the author of an extraordinary project called Common Sounds that mix choral music with other musical generes. Through its activity distinguished by passion and commitment the choir created a widely recognized distinctive image that refers to the cities maritime theme, for which the group was awarded the title of the Ambassador of Szczecin.
Sylwia Fabiańczyk-Makuch
Conductor of the Choir of Maritime University of Szczecin
Associate professor, PhD at College of Musical Arts in Szczecin Art Academy, conductor and founder of the Choir of the Maritime University of Szczecin, with which she concerts and wins prestigious awards in Poland and worldwide. She holds titles of the best conductor at numerous choral festivals and competitions, among other in: Gorizia (Italy, 2023), Barczewo (Poland, 2022), Lublin (Poland, 2017), Bratislava (Slovakia, 2016), Prague (Czech Republic, 2014), Głogów (Poland, 2010), Chełmno (Poland, 2010). In 2021 at World Choir Festival in Hong Kong she was awarded a diploma for one of the 10 best conductors of the festival from over 200 participants from all over the world. She is also employed as the director of the Academic Culture Center at the Maritime University of Szczecin. She holds a position of the artistic director of the Polish Union of Choirs and Orchestras, branch in Szczecin and the artistic director of a unique Common Sounds project proposed by the Choir of Maritime University of Szczecin.
Cuore Chamber Choir
Ireland
Cuore is an award-winning chamber choir based in Dublin, Ireland. Members come from all over Ireland, Europe and beyond and share a love of high-quality choral music. Founded by conductor Amy Ryan in 2014, Cuore has consistently achieved high standards at festivals in Ireland and abroad, such as
At the 17th International Choir Festival “Tallinn 2023”, they were awarded 2nd prize in Chamber Choirs, 2nd prize in Contemporary and a special prize for best performance of the obligatory contemporary piece. They were awarded 1st prize in Mixed Voice, 1st prize in Corn Hardebec and a special prize for best performance of a modern Irish language piece at Dublin’s Feis Ceoil in March 2023. In the Fleischmann International Trophy Competition at Cork Choral Festival in 2022 they were awarded a special prize for best performance of a contemporary Irish piece. At Cork in 2018, the choir was awarded 1st in Mixed Voice, 2nd in Ireland’s Choir of the Year, plus special prizes for best performance by a chamber choir and of a contemporary Irish piece. Other 1st prizes include Mayo (2016), Sligo (2016) and New Ross (2015).
Cuore’s concert repertoire ranges from standard works to contemporary compositions by choir members. In March 2023 they performed at Ireland’s National Concert Hall with the UCD Symphony Orchestra and Philharmonic Choir. In 2021, Cuore presented the Irish premiere of Will Todd’s Songs of Renewal. As the invited guest choir at the Zêzere Arts Festival, Portugal in 2019, Cuore performed varied programmes including polychoral works by Enda Bates, Marenzio and Tallis.
Amy Ryan
Conductor
Amy Ryan is a conductor, lecturer and performer based in Dublin, Ireland. She currently lectures at the Royal Irish Academy of Music, and previously at Trinity College Dublin.
As a conductor, Amy founded Cuore Chamber Choir, leading them to first prizes at all the major choral competitions in Ireland. Artistic Director of University College Dublin (UCD) Philharmonic Choir since 2014, she has taught conducting at UCD and is currently guest conductor with UCD Symphony Orchestra. Amy also directs the professional church choir at St Stephen’s Church, Dublin and has worked as chorus director with Irish National Opera, Blackwater Valley Opera Festival, North Dublin Opera, and Lyric Opera chorus.
She has studied conducting with Peter Erdei, Dr László Nemes, Robert Houlihan, Alice Farnham, Simon Carrington, Alan Cutts and Volker Hempfling. She completed postgraduate studies with distinction at the Kodály Institute of the Liszt Academy of Music, Hungary, following her undergraduate studies at MTU Cork School of Music. Amy was Chairperson of Kodály Ireland from 2018-2022, directing their annual summer course. She was appointed to the board of Sing Ireland in December 2022.
Women’s Choir VOCALS of the Park of Culture and Recreation in Prešov
Slovakia
Bronislava Fecková
Conductor
Bronislava Fecková is a graduate of the Pedagogical faculty in Nitra, the Department
of Music education and Russian language and literature (1987 – 1992). After graduation, she worked at the Primary art school in Sabinov and Košice as a teacher of music theory
and playing the piano. In 2003 she successfully passed rigorosum exams and awarded the title PaedDr. From 1994 Mrs. Fecková teaches at a Primary school in Ľubotice, where supports and develops the talents of the musically gifted children.
From 2010 she conducts the Female choir VOCALS in Prešov and regularly participates
in courses for conductors organised by the National Educational Centre in Bratislava.
Helene Stureborg’s Chamber Choir
Sweden
Since its inception, HSK has become a regular participant in the annual Advent concerts at Stockholm City Hall. In recent years, the choir has extended its repertoire to include performances in arena concerts, featuring notable productions such as Chess in Concert, I Love Musicals, Ennio Morricone’s concerts in Stockholm, Copenhagen, and Oslo, and participation in Andrea Bocelli’s World Tour.
In addition to these engagements, HSK traditionally hosts four of its own concerts each year, spanning autumn, Christmas, spring, and summer performances. This academic and musical journey reflects the choir’s dedication to vocal artistry and its contribution to the cultural landscape.
Helene Stureborg
Conductor
After receiving a Master in Fine Arts in Church music and a Postgraduate Diploma In Choral Conducting at the Royal University of Music, she started as a church musician in a Stockholm parish and became the conductor of Kongl Teknologkören at the Royal Institute of Technology (1994-2002). The choir kept a high level and won several competitions. In 2011 she started her own ensemble Helene Stureborgs chamber choir which has won Grand Prix in both Cork choral competition in Ireland and in the Grieg choral competition in Norway.
For many years Helene Stureborg was also a teacher in choral conducting at the Royal University College of Music in Stockholm and also at varying courses in Sweden and abroad, and frequently engaged as a juror at various competitions. She was a member of the Artistic Council of Statens Musikverk in 2014-2016 and in 2017 she received the Choir conductor of the year prize in Sweden and was one of two conductors to lead the World Youth Choir 2018 during their summer session in Inner Mongolia and China.
From January 2023 she began at her new position as Musical and administrative planning manager of the Swedish Radio Choir and from August 2023 she started Storkyrkans Kammarkör, a youth choir on a high level in the Stockholm Cathedral.
Hjorthagens karmmarkör
Sweden
Since its inception, the choir has given annual Christmas and Lucia concerts as well as recurring summer concerts. In addition to that, the choir likes to do exciting projects, such as first perfomances and stage productions.
The choir also usually celebrates the New Year performing Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony together with Engelbrekts kammarkör and members of the Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra.
In May 2018, Hjorthagens kammarkör participated in the choir competition Venezia in Musica in Venice, Italy. The choir took two gold diplomas and victories in the sacred music and mixed choir categories. In addition, Hjorthagens kammarkör was victorious in the Grand Prix of the competition Venezia in Musica.
Fredrik Winberg
Conductor
Fredrik studied at the Royal College of Music in Stockholm, where he holds a number of degrees. He has been the conductor of a number of choirs, including Västerås Kammarkör, Sveriges Ungdomskör and Kongl. Teknologkören.
Mixed choir Ventspils
Latvia
Mixed choir “Ventspils” – a collective with a big creative potential, expressive musicality and powerful spirit. The choir’s concerts and musical performances directed by Aigars Meri speak to the hearts of the audience and reveal the choir’s infinite possibilities for new musical challenges. “On a steady path to the greatest heights” is the main motto of the choir.
Mixed choir “Ventspils” started its work with a new quality by the end of 2014. Every year Ventspils audiences get offered original programmes of many different genres, as well as collaborative projects with renowed Latvian artists, the Ventspils Chamber Orchestra and the Ventspils Big Band.
Mixed choir “Ventspils” has successfully participated in multiple international choral music competitions:
2015 – the 14th International choir festival „Tallinn 2015” (1st place in “Folk Music” category)
2016 – XX International Stasys Šimkus Choir Competition (1st place in the mixed choir category, special prize for the best performance of mandatory composition, as well as special prize for the best programme)
2017 – 3rd European Choir games and the Grand Prix of Nations Riga 2017 (1st first place in category “Folklora a capella” at 3rd European Choir Games, a gold medal, and the highest achievement in this competition — champion’s title of “Grand Prix of Nations 2017”)
2017 – 5th International Copernicus Choir Festival & Competition “Per Musicam ad Astra” (Grand Prize, as well as 1st place in the mixed choir category and 1st place in the category “Folklore”)
In the summer of 2018, after successfully competing in the semi-finals of the XXVI Latvian Song Celebration Choir Competition in the mixed choir group, the singers from Ventspils came eighth, making it to the final of “Song Wars”, where they won the high third place among 20 of the best Latvian choirs.
In March of 2019, the XXX International Choir Competition (Italy, Verona), organized by “Music Cultur Travel”, mixed choir “Ventspils” won two of the highest awards (1st place in the category “Folk music”, 1st place in the category “Sacred music”), as well as a special prize for the best performance of the mandatory piece.
In September 2022, the mixed choir “Ventspils” led by conductor and artistic director Aigars Meri successfully participated in the 5th International Baltic Sea Choir Competition and got the high 2nd place and a diploma for the best performance of a piece in unison.
In 2023, in the final of the Choir Competition of the XXVII Latvian Song and XVII Dance Celebration, the mixed choir “Ventspils” won the 3rd place, and Aigars Meri made his debut as the chief conductor of the festival.
2nd International Choral Competition Ave Verum in Baden/Austria
RESULTS 2014
Aigars Meri
Conductor
WORK EXPERIENCE
2023
DEBUT AS THE CHIEF CONDUCTOR XXVII LATVIAN SONG AND XVII DANCE CELEBRATION
Conducting Raimonds Pauls “Tautasdziesma” for 15 870 singers at the concert titled “Tīrums. Dziesmas
ceļš” (The Field. The Road of Song), where the massed choir performed a a cappella concert at the Silver
Grove stage, Mežaparks, Latvia.
2016 – CURRENT
CHIEF CONDUCTOR VENTSPILS AND VENTSPILS MUNICIPALITY CHOIRS
2014 – CURRENT Ventspils, Latvia
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR AND CHIEF CONDUCTOR | MIXED CHOIR “VENTSPILS” SIA “KURZEMES
FILHARMONIJA”
Author and artistic director of numerous original concert programs of many different genres, as well as
collaborative projects with renowned Latvian artists, the Ventspils Chamber Orchestra, and the Ventspils
Big Band.
Johann Baptist Vanhal “Stabat Mater”, Morten Lauridsen “O Magnum Mysterium”, Diderik Buxtehude “Das
neugeborne Kindelein”, Astor Pantaleón Piazzolla “Aconcagua”, Gioachino Antonio Rossini “Petite messe
solennelle”, Gabriel Fauré “Requiem”, Valts Pūce “Psalm Notebook”, and many more.
2014 – CURRENT Riga, Latvia
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR AND CHIEF CONDUCTOR / VENTSPILS CHAMBER ORCHESTRA SIA
“KURZEMES FILHARMONIJA”
Author and artistic director of numerous original concert programs of many different genres, as well as
collaborative projects with renowned Latvian artists, the mixed choir “Ventspils”, and the Ventspils Big
Band.
Author of annual music programs, for example, “Rock Ballads”, where legendary rock songs are played in
new arrangements made especially for orchestra and choir.
Author of the concert series “Atgriešanās Ventspilī” (Return to Ventspils), it is customary that the Ventspils
Chamber Orchestra is accompanied by Ventspils residents or graduates of the Ventspils Music High School
who are currently on their musical journey elsewhere – in other cities or countries.
2010 Riga, Latvia
DEBUT AS AN ARTISTIC DIRECTOR FOR AN OPERA LATVIAN NATIONAL OPERA AND BALLET
Giuseppe Verdi “Nabucco”
2008 Riga, Latvia
DEBUT AS A CHEF CONDUCTOR LATVIAN NATIONAL OPERA AND BALLET
Jānis Lūsēns “The Puppet Opera”
2006 – 2008 Riga, Latvia
ASSISTANT TO THE CHIEF CONDUCTOR LATVIAN NATIONAL OPERA AND BALLET
Georges Bizet “Carmen”, Antonín Dvořák “Rusalka”, Gaetano Donizetti “L’elisir d’amore”, Ēriks Ešenvalds
“Joseph Is a Fruitful Bough” etc.
2006 – CURRENT Riga, Latvia
PRINCIPAL CHORUS MASTER LATVIAN NATIONAL OPERA AND BALLET
2005 – CURRENT Jelgava, Latvia
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR AND PRINCIPAL CHOIR MASTER JELGAVA CHAMBER ORCHESTRA
Author and artistic director of numerous concert programs that include the participation of various highly
recognized soloists, Jelgava Big Band, and choirs.
Giya Kancheli “Simi”, Antonio Caldara “Stabat Mater”, Emanuel D’Astorga “Stabat Mater”, Joaquín Rodrigo
Vidre “The Concierto de Aranjuez”, William Joseph Russo “Street Music” and many others.
2002 – 2009
CHIEF CONDUCTOR | MIXED CHOIR “ZEMGALE” JELGAVA CITY COUNCIL
EDUCATION AND TRAINING
2010 – 2011 Vilnius, Lithuania
ERASMUS STUDIES Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre
Website https://lmta.lt/en/
2009 – 2011 Riga, Latvia
MASTER OF ARTS | ORCHESTRA CONDUCTING Jāzeps Vītols Latvian Academy of Music
Website https://www.jvlma.lv/en
2009 Leigo, Estonia
JÄRVI SUMMER ACADEMY | MASTERCLASSES WITH NEEME JARVI, PAAVO JARVI, LEONID GRIN
Pärnu Music Festival
Website https://parnumusicfestival.ee/en/jarvi-academy/
2009 Riga, Latvia
MASTERCLASS WITH SZOLT NAGY IN ORCHESTRA CONDUCTING
2004 – 2009 Riga, Latvia
BACHELOR OF ARTS | ORCHESTRA CONDUCTING Jāzeps Vītols Latvian Academy of Music
Website https://www.jvlma.lv/en
2008 Riga, Latvia
MASTERCLASS WITH LUTZ KOEHLER IN ORCHESTRA CONDUCTING
2007 Riga, Latvia
MASTERCLASS WITH PER BORIN IN ORCHESTRA CONDUCTING
2006 Bayreuth , Germany
SCHOLARSHIP TO PARTICIPATE IN THE BAYREUTH FESTIVAL Bayreuther Festspiele
Website https://www.bayreuther-festspiele.de/en/
2002 – 2004 Riga, Latvia
MASTER OF ARTS | CHOIR CONDUCTING Jāzeps Vītols Latvian Academy of Music
Website https://www.jvlma.lv/en
1998 – 2002 Riga, Latvia
BACHELOR OF ARTS | CHOIR CONDUCTING Jāzeps Vītols Latvian Academy of Music
Website https://www.jvlma.lv/en
1993 – 1998 Jelgava, Latvia
SECONDARY EDUCATION Jelgava College of Music
1985 – 1993 Riga, Latvia
PRIMARY EDUCATION Emīls Dārziņš Music School
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
HONOURS AND AWARDS
2023
Award For A Significant Contribution To The Maintenance Of Cultural Heritage Values In Ventspils
and Latvia – Ventspils City Council
2023
3rd Place in The Choir Competition Final | Mixed Choir “Ventspils” – XXVII Latvian Song Celebration
2022
2nd place and a diploma for the best performance of a piece in unison | Mixed Choir “Ventspils” –
The 5th International Baltic Sea Choir Competition
2019
1st place in the category “Folk music”, 1st place in the category “Sacred music”, as well as a special
prize for the best performance of the mandatory piece | Mixed Choir “Ventspils” – The XXX
International Choir Competition (Italy, Verona)
2018
3rd Place in The Choir Competition Final | Mixed Choir “Ventspils” – XXVI Latvian Song Celebration
2017
1st first place in category “Folklora a capella” at 3rd European Choir Games, a gold medal, and the
highest achievement in this competition — champion’s title of “Grand Prix of Nations 2017” | Mixed
Choir “Ventspils” – 3rd European Choir games and the Grand Prix of Nations Riga 2017
2017
Grand Prize, as well as 1st place in the mixed choir category and 1st place in the category “Folklore”
| Mixed Choir “Ventspils” – 5th International Copernicus Choir Festival & Competition “Per Musicam
ad Astra”
2016
1st Place in the mixed choir category, special prize for the best performance of mandatory
composition, as well as special prize for the best programme | Mixed Choir “Ventspils” – XX
International Stasys Šimkus Choir Competition
2015
1st Place in “Folk Music” Category | Mixed Choir “Ventspils” – The 14th International Choir Festival
“Tallinn 2015”
2014
Award For Significant Artistic Success – Jelgava City Council
2012
Annual “Diena” Award in Culture | Andris Dzenītis “Dauka” – Latvian language national daily
newspaper “Diena”
2011
Annual “Latvijas Gāze” Award for Outstanding Artistic Achievement – Latvian National Opera
2009
2nd Place in The International Choral Competition in Tallin, Estonia | Mixed Choir “Zemgale”
2008
2nd Place in The International Choral Competition in Hajnówka, Poland | Mixed Choir “Zemgale”
2007
2nd Place in The International Choral Competition in Minsk, Belarus | Mixed Choir “Zemgale”
2006
2nd Place in The International Choral Competition in Pärnu, Estonia | Mixed Choir “Zemgale”
2006
Annual “Latvijas Gāze Award” for Outstanding Achievement for the Latvian National Opera Choir –
Latvian National Opera
2005
2nd Place in The International Choral Competition in Budapest, Hungary | Mixed Choir “Zemgale”
2005
Award For Contribution To Folk Art – The Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Latvia
2003
3rd Place in The Choir Competition Final | Mixed Choir “Blagovest’” – XXIII Latvian Song Celebration
2002
Music Prize for the Best Interpretation of the Compulsory Piece – The 2nd International Competition
for Young Choral Conductors | Tallin, Estonia
San Pedro College Chorale
Philippines
The SPC Chorale, serving as the official school choir of San Pedro College, has garnered notable achievements, showcasing excellence in performances, competitions, and concerts. Fostering individual artistry in music, the choir has become a growing family, conveying melodious and harmonious masterpieces that unite diverse voices into a symphony of unity. Beyond the college walls, the Chorale serves the community by participating in various events, including institutional masses, school activities, off-campus invitations, and competitions.
2nd International Choral Competition Ave Verum in Baden/Austria
RESULTS 2014
Richard G. Salas
Conductor
Mr. Richard G. Salas is proficient in music theory, harmony, rhythm, and dynamics, and
has won several awards in various choral competitions. He is also a member of
Philippine Choral Directors Association, and is currently finishing his Master’s Degree in
Music Education, with emphasis in Choral Conducting at Centro Escolar
University-Manila.
University of Houston Concert Chorale
USA
The University of Houston Concert Chorale is the university’s premiere large choral ensemble and consists of 28 undergraduate singers and four graduate singers. Under the direction of Betsy Cook Weber since 2002, the ensemble has performed for four TMEA conventions (2005, 2008, 2013, 2017) and three national conventions (ACDA Miami, 2007; ACDA Minneapolis, 2017; NCCO, Baton Rouge, 2017).
The ensemble has also been active internationally, placing in and/or winning the following prestigious competitions: 47th Eisteddfod, Langollen, Wales, UK, (1st place, Chamber Choir; 2009); Florilège Vocal, Tours, France (2nd place Mixed Choir; 2011); International Chamber Choir Competition, Marktoberdorf, Germany (1st place ex acqueo; 2013); Grand Prix of Nations, Magdeburg, Germany (1st place Youth Choir; 2015; Musica Mundi ranking of #1 I Youth Choir and #3 in all choirs); Bela Bartok International Choral Competition (1st place; 2018), Debrecen, Hungary; European Grand Prix in Arezzo, Italy (one of five participants; 2019); Grieg International Choral Competition, (1st place, Mixed Chorus; 2022) Bergen, Norway, and CantaRode Competition (3rd place overall; 2023) Kerkrade, Netherlands.
Additionally, Chorale’s location in Houston presents many opportunities, including performances with/for Houston Symphony, early music orchestras Ars Lyrica and Mercury Houston, Latin Grammys, Star Wars in Concert, NBC’s Clash of the Choirs, Josh Groban Houston Astros, Houston Texans, The Eagles, KUHF, ABC, NBC, and Fox.
2nd International Choral Competition Ave Verum in Baden/Austria
RESULTS 2014
Dr. Betsy Cook Weber
Conductor
Dr. Betsy Cook Weber is the Madison Endowed Professor of Music and Director of Choral Studies at the University of Houston Moores School of Music and is also active internationally as a conductor, clinician, adjudicator, and lecturer.
Choirs under Weber’s direction, including the University of Houston Concert Chorale, have been featured at multiple state and national conventions including the American Choral Directors Association national convention in Miami in 2007 and in Minneapolis in 2017. Internationally, Concert Chorale has won top prizes and received acclaim at prestigious competitions in Wales, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Norway, and the Netherlands.
Weber also served for eight seasons as Director of the Houston Symphony Chorus, preparing programs for some of the world’s leading orchestral conductors including Juraj Valcuha, Andrés Orozco-Estrada, Jane Glover, and Nicholas McGegan among many others. She led the Chorus on successful tours of the Czech Republic, Poland, and Germany, including a standing ovation performance at the famed BachFest in Leipzig. She was named Director Emeritus in 2022.
In the summer of 2013, Weber became the thirteenth person and first woman to receive the Texas Choral Directors Association’s coveted Texas Choirmaster Award, and she serves as editor of the Betsy Cook Weber Choral Series with Alliance Music Publishing.
Weber has prepared singers for early music orchestras Ars Lyrica and Mercury Houston and is also routinely called upon to prepare singers for touring shows, including Josh Groban, NBC’s Clash of the Choirs, Telemundo’s Lain Grammys, Star Wars in Concert, Andreas Bocelli, Eric Whitacre, and The Eagles.
Before coming to the University of Houston, Weber taught vocal music, K-12, in the public schools. She holds degrees from the University of North Texas, Westminster Choir College (Princeton, NJ), and the University of Houston.