Animae Voces
(Florence, Italy)
Conductor Edoardo Materassi
The “Animae Voces” choral association was founded in January 2001 and is directed by Maestro Edoardo Materassi. A distinctive element is the ability to interpret classical pieces of European polyphony and rhythms from other countries, from the African to the Caribbean world, from the poignant harmonies of Jewish and Balkan music, to the refinement of crystalline Scandinavian vocality, in a musical impulse aimed at the discovery of voices. The attention dedicated to the research of pieces taken from tradition, in addition to the numerous arrangements written for the choral by various composers, allow to present a varied and original repertoire. refresher courses for choral music, held by the most qualified professionals in the sector. Competitions: In April 2016 the “Animae Voces” choir won the “Coro Più” competition, grand prix of Tuscany. In 2005 he won the VI edition of the “Etruscan Riviera National Competition”, ranking first in the “Ethnic Choirs” category and winning the Audience Award, thus participating in the review organized by the Councilorship of the Municipality of Bordighera for musicians who won national competitions and International. Choral festivals and events: The choir has been invited to participate in various international choral festivals including: August 2016 at the “XI ° International Festival of Choral Art” in Saint Petersburg, Russia. July 2015 at the “Choral International Festival” organized by Ensembles Polyphoniques in the Aveyron region, France. July 2014 at the “Festival Choral International” organized by Ensembles Polyphoniques en Provence, in the Provence region, France Invited as representative choir of Tuscany to the “Alpe Adria Cantat 2007” event, Lignano Sabbiadoro – Udine, he performed in various concerts together with Italian and international choirs. Animae Voces was one of the ten Italian choirs present at the “Europa Cantat 2009” event in Utrecht (Holland), performing in concert at the “Conservatorium” and at the “Hoog Katharjne”, as well as various performances along the canals and streets of the city. August 2010 he was invited by the cultural association “Think” in Albania, where he held a concert at the monumental Mausoleum of Scanderberg in Lezhe, and a concert in Vlore for the inauguration of the new Cultural Center of the city.
May 2008 at “Antiqua Rassegna di Musica Antica” in Milan, in the prestigious Sala dell’Arciconfraternita of the Diocesan Museum, an event sponsored by the Lombardy Region event reported by the Ministry for Cultural Heritage and Activities. Collaborations: “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” Company Down Theater of Florence: “The Awakening” by Claudia Bombardella: Summer Fiesolana “The Ways of the Spirit” by Claudia Bombardella: “Literary Peace Prize dedicated to Tiziano Terzani Music by L. Divolo Teatro Verdi Florence “Human Harmony” dir. Johanna Knauf Roman Theater of Fiesole Estate Fiesolana “Pink Floyd Legend” Atom Heart Mother Teatro Verdi Florence “Sacred Concert” D. Ellington Sunrise Orchestra conductor. Stefano Rapicavoli, Ravenna Festival, “Sacred Concert” D, Ellington Orchestra Circolo del Jazz dir P. Biancalana, Lucca Jazz “Requiem G. Fauré“ Orchestra la Philarmonie dir. Nima Keshavarzi, Dante Campi Bisenzio Theater “Songs in Contrluce” Saverio Lanza and Cristina Donà “” Genius Loci “cloister Santa Croce Florence
Na’ara Vocal Ensemble
(Florence, Italy)
Conductor Edoardo Materassi
Born from the collaboration between the “Dario Vettori Liutaio” Music School and the Comprehensive Institute “Don Lorenzo Milani”, was formed in November 2015 and made his debut in December 2015, in Firenzuola. After some performances in concerts and local events, in the month of May 2016 they participated in the “Forever Young” competition, at the Politeama Theater in Prato, winning the first prize in the category “Lower secondary school” and the special prize for the best performance of the compulsory piece, foreseen in the program for all participants in the competition. In May 2017 she won the first prize ex-aequo and the “Jenny Berardi” prize for the best stage presence at the “Città di Riccione” National Choral Competition. In May 2019 he won the First Prize, with a score of 100/100 at the 4th LUCREZIA BALATRI VOICE COMPETITION of Florence. He has participated in vocal seminars with the masters C. Pavese, D. Tille and L. Leo
Permoník Female Choir Karviná
(Karviná, Czech Republic)
Conductor Martina Juríková
Girls´ Choir Permonik performs choral literature for children’s, girls’ and women’s chorales, yet it is not focused on a strictly defined genre or a musical style or period. Both foreign and domestic contemporary composers participate in the choir’s performances and dedicate their compositions to the choir, including Petr Eben, Ilja Hurník, Jan Jirásek, Ivana Loudová, Otmar Mácha, Jan Vicar, Irena Szurmanová (CZ), Igor V. Katajev (Russia) Ofer Ben-Amots, Paul Salerni (USA) or Masaru Kawasaki (Japan).
Recent awards include:
- Golden award – New York Sounds of Spring International Music Festival, world’s premiere of Alec Schumacker’s Kyrie in Carnegie Hall, USA (2022)
- Grand Prix – 6th World Children and Youth Choral Championship, St. Petersburg, Russia (2019)
- Golden Prize and Special Award for the Compulsory Japan Piece – Tokyo International Choral Competition (2018)
- Golden Prize – Golden Voices of Montserrat, Lloret de Mar, Spain (2017)
- Golden award – New York Sounds of Spring International Music Festival, world’s premiere of Jeremy Van Buskirk’s Closer to Home in Carnegie Hall, USA (2016)
The choir has been honoured to cooperate with significant Czech orchestras and Czech and foreign conductors. It has released 17 CD recordings, mainly with contemporary music performed by Permonik.
The high level of performances is provided by the choirmasters Martina Juríková and Karina Grimová and the pianist Jakub Šotkovský
Permoník Male Choir Karviná
(Karviná, Czech Republic)
Conductor Karina Grimová
Male Chamber Choir Permonik was founded in 2013. During its short history it has participated in several competitions and concert tours home and abroad. The choir performs for the audience in Germany, Austria, Poland and of course at home – in the Czech Republic.
Recent awards:
- Golden award – New York Sounds of Spring International Music Festival, world’s premiere of Alec Schumacker’s Kyrie in Carnegie Hall, USA (2022)
- Golden Prize – Cracovia Cantans, Kraków, Poland (2019)
- Grand Prix – Fiestalonia Georgia, Tbilisi, Georgia (2018)
- Golden Prize – Golden Voices of Montserrat, Lloret de Mar, Spain (2017)
There are students of high schools, universities, IT professionals or teachers among the members of the choir. Many of them work or study elsewhere but they´re still coming back to Karviná, the hometown of Permoník to sing together. These young men also often perform with the Girls´ Choir Permoník and together they are a part of the Permoník choral family which contains also children´s choirs.
The choir aspire to sing various genres. Nevertheless the most of the repertoire consists of the contemporary music. Male Chamber Choir Permoník is conducted by Karina Grimová and accompanied by the pianist Jakub Šotkovský.
Telkom University Choir
(Bandung, Indonesia)
Conductor Aldo Randy Ginting
Telkom University Choir (TUC) formed in February 21st 2014. Student Activity Telkom University Choir has 550 members. Under the direction of the coach team Aldo Randy Ginting and Vina Lusiani, TUC regularly holds concerts and participates in choir competitions both in Indonesia such as Bandung, Jakarta, Semarang, Malang and abroad such as Thailand (2016), Austria (2018), Poland (2018), Taiwan (2019). In 2018 TUC was honored to perform on Ceremony of the Pancasila Day at Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Prague, Czech Republic.
TUC succeeded in making history as the first choir in Indonesia and Southeast Asia to compete at the World Choral Championship. TUC won Grand Prix Champion di Taipei International Choral Competition 2019 and will compete in World Choral Championship – Rimini, Italy.
ACHIEVEMENT
- 2021 Busan Choral Festival & Competition – KOREA – 1st Place – Category A Capella. 1st Place – Category with Instrumental Accompaniment
- 5th Karangturi International Choir Competition 2019 – INDONESIA -1st Place – Mixed Category, 1st Place – Folklore Category, 2nd Place – Sacred Category
- 7th Satya Dharma Gita Choir Festival 2019 – INDONESIA- 1st Runner Up of Grand Champion, 1st Place – Folksong Category, 3rd Place – Mixed Category, 3rd Place – Music of Religions Category
- Taipei International Choral Competition 2019 – TAIWAN – Grand Prix Champion, 1st Place – Youth Category, 1st Place – Contemporary Category, 1st Place – Folklore Category
- 9th International Krakow Choir Festival ‘Cracovia Cantans’ 2018 – POLAND – 2nd Runner Up General Ranking The Best Choir 2018, 1st Place – Folk and Popular Music Category, 2nd Place – Mixed Choirs Adults Category
- 31st International Franz Schubert Choir Competition 2018 – AUSTRIA – 1st Place – Youth Choir of Mixed Voices Category, 1st Place – Sacred Choral Music Category
- Soegijapranata Choral Festival 2018 – INDONESIA – 2nd Runner Up Grand Prix Champion, 1st Place – Folklore Category, 2nd Place – Sacred Music Category
- 1st Lanna International Choir Competition 2016 – THAILAND – Golden Diplome Lv I – Folklore Category, Golden Diplome Lv VI – Youth Choir of Mixed Voices Category