Participants Universitas Cantat 2017
Adam Mickiewicz University Academic Choir in Poznań, Poland
Conductor: Beata Bielska
Adam Mickiewicz University Academic Choir in Poznań, Poland
amuchoir.poznan.pl
The AMU Academic Choir has continued the choral traditions of the Wielkopolska region for almost 50 years, generating passionate enthusiasm for singing. The ensemble was established in 1966 and its members were initially only students and employees of Adam Mickiewicz University. This had changed, however, and today the choirs ranks are filled by members of different backgrounds whose vocal skills and enthusiasm prove that they share a genuine passion for music-making. The choir was directed by such prominent figures of choral arts as Jacek Sykulski, the renowned Polish composer, arranger and conductor. During his tenure the choir flourished and gave concerts in prestigious venues. The group have performed in almost all European countries as well as the USA; Canada; Bolivia; China; Japan and Taiwan. In autumn 2010 the baton was passed on to Jacek Sykulski's long time assistant, Beata Bielska, a graduate of the Academy of Music in Poznań. The performances of the AMU Choir have earned it an important place in the rich tradition of Polish choral art. Creativity, a passion for innovation and growth is what all members of the ensemble have in common. "Bringing joy through singing" is the artistic motto and the highest principle embraced by the conductor and all the Choir members. Music from heart to heart!
Beata Bielska is a vocalist, choirmaster and pedagogue. She graduated from the Ignacy Jan Paderewski Academy of Music in Poznań, where she studied in the class of Prof. Magdalena Wdowicka-Mackiewicz in the Faculty of Choral Conducting, Music Education and Church Music. Prior to that she finished the Fryderyk Chopin State Music School in Olsztyn in prof. Józef Bartkowski’s cello class. She formed her first vocal ensemble when she was only 14. After moving to Poznań she enrolled on a course at the Faculty of History of the Adam Mickiewicz University and at the Czesław Niemen Post-secondary Vocal Arts College. Soon after she became a member and soloist of the AMU Academic Choir, back then directed by Jacek Sykulski. In 2010, after many years of working as Jacek Sykulski's assistant, she became the conductor and artistic director of the AMU Academic Choir.
