Sopot Chamber Choir Continuo - Profile

from Poland

How did you travel to Llangollen?

Sopot to LLangollen, about 1909 km, by bus.

How many members are in your group?

20 - 29

What is the age range of your group?

30 years old - 60 ye

When and why was your group formed?

The choir was formed in 1986 by a group of people loving singing. First it was a chamber choir of Gdansk University. In 1990 the group gained the support of Sopot government and became the choir of the city called Sopot Chamber Choir Continuo.

How often and do you rehearse?

Twice a week in a primary school in Sopot

How many times does your group perform every year?

11 - 19

Have you performed in any other festivals and competitions in your own country?

- Two-time winner of the First Prize at the National Sacred Music Festival in Rumia, Poland - Jury Favour Prize and Host Prize at International Festival of Orthodox Music in Hajnówka, Poland

Have you performed in any other festivals and competitions in countries other than your own?

- high acclaim of the jury in Hjorring, Denmark - Jury prizes “Tres bien” at Montreaux, Switzerland - Second Prize for Sacred Music at International Choir Festival in Olomouc /Czech Republic/ in 2002 - two Diplomi d'Argento - Silver Diplomas in Riva del Garda /Italy/ for Sacred and Folk Music in 2003 - choir represented Polish music in 6th International Choral Festival in Puebla /Mexico/ in 2005 - choir represented Polish music in International Choral Festival in Cabo Frio /Brasil/ in 2008

What is the name of your conductor/leader?

Conductor - Anna Borkowicz/ Leader - Joanna Osinsk

Give us a short biography of your conductor/leader

Conductor - Anna Borkowicz was born in 1984 in Kościerzyna. She graduated The Choral Conducting Faculty on Music Academy of S. Moniuszko in Gdańsk. In 2007/2008 she was studying on Conservatoire National Superieur Musique et Danse in Lyon (France) as a student of Sokrates Erasmus Project. She founded Chamber Choir 441 Hz and as a conductor she won Golden Diploma and II Prize in the category of sacred music on III International Coral Festival Mundus Cantat in Sopot in 2007. She was the winner of the special prize in XI Choral Conductors’ Competition in Poznań in 2006 and the III Prize and the special prize of Edmund Maćkowiak for the best methodical work with choir in the same competition in 2008. She was the scholar of Ministry of Culture and National Heritage in 2006/2007 and 2007/2008. Currently she works in Music Academy in Gdańsk and is a conductor of “Lira” Choir in Rumia. Since May 2009 she has been also the conductor of Sopot Chamber Choir CONTINUO.

What do you hope to achieve at Llangollen?

satisfaction and new friends :) and the first prize of course !!!

What are the group's future plans and ambitions?

We plan to record a new CD with songs from Brasil. We also plan to take part in festival in Columbia and Equador.

What is your website's address?

http://www.continuo.sopot.pl