Krystyna Krzyżanowska-Łoboda

The conductor of the Academic Musical Ensemble (AZM) from the very beginning is Krystyna Krzyżanowska-Łoboda, assistant professor in the K. Szymanowski Academy of Music in Katowice. She graduated from the  Academy in Katowice, where she studied in the class of prof. N. Siess, and later continued her studies at the Postgraduate School of Vocal Technique. Over the years she has been polishing her skills by attending many professional courses and by working with the Silesian Philharmonic Choir and numerous amateur choirs. During her activity she  has been recognized with the title of International Cultural Ambassador of People To People International and awarded Prize for the Best Conductor at the International Festival of Advent and Christmas Music in Prague, November 1999. She has also been  leading many international workshops in Germany (Lechbruck, Bad Laasphe, Berlin), Poland (Gliwice, Kraków, Katowice) Estonia (Tallinn), Finland (Helsinki), Great Britain (Yorkshire).

 With the Academic Musical Ensemble, in its  short history, she has won many prizes and honours, such as: the title of International Cultural Ambassador of People to People Int. 1997, Prize of the President of Polish Union of Choirs and Orchestras at the International Choir Festival Międzyzdroje ’98. Moreover, AZM won the category of youth choirs at Festival of Christmas Carols Będzin ‘99, special mention at the Sacred Music Competition Rumia ‘99, Silver Medal at Advent and Christmas Song Competition Prague ‘99, first place in the category of chamber choirs in the Competition of interpretation of compositions by Lucjan Laprus Wrocław ’01, Gold Medal in the category of sacred music at the Choir Festival in Olomouc ’01, Silver medal in Międzyzdroje ’01, three Silver Medals (in the following categories; mixed choir, chamber choir and folk music) at the International Festival of Academic Choirs in Pardubice ’02, Festival Award at the Cantonigros Choir Festival in Spain ’02, three Silver Medals, one Gold Medal and GRAND PRIX at the Festival of Academic Choirs in Padrubice 2004.

The main aim of AME’s activity is developing friendship and cooperation among young people, especially students, and between the universities they come from. Therefore the Academic Musical Ensemble has invited a few ensembles from all over the world to perform joint concerts. Between 1996-2000 in Gliwice presented choirs from USA, Finland and a youth orchestra from the Netherlands. In 1997 and 1999 took place two editions of the Polish-Estonian Academy of Music People to People International. Thanks to AZM’s experience in the year 2000 the annual International Musical Workshop (IMW) has started, which in 2003 has changed its name into “Musica pro Europa”. The main theme of the biggest workshop (1st in 2000 and 5th in 2004) was “Carmina Burana” by Carl Orff. The Festival Gala Concert in 2004 was the celebration of Poland’s accession to the European Community. Almost 350 performers took part in the Workshop, and the spectacular concert with ballet, light and fireworks was heard by many thousands of people.

Academic Musical Ensemble (AZM) of the Silesian University of Technology came into being in 1996. AZM is probably the only amateur academic ensemble in Poland which consists of choir and its own permanent chamber orchestra. Therefore AZM is able to perform the great masterpieces of vocal-instrumental works itself.

During those 8 years of AZM’s existence it has published a few CDs: ”Koncert na chandrę”, “JAZZM”, “Anioł Pasterzom Mówił”, “Gospel” (2 CD album with live recordings of Gala Concert of 4th IMW) and taken part in the European project realized by European chapters of People to People International “Sound of Europe”.

The repertoire of AZM consists of  pieces of different styles and from various periods: from Gregorian chant to choral arrangements of folk, pop and jazz music. The main vocal-instruments compositions sung by AZM are: Requiem by Mozart, Requiem by Faure, Carmina Burana by Orff, Barliner Messe by Part.