The Choir of the Maritime University of Szczecin directed by Sylwia Fabiańczyk-Makuch began the academic year and the art season 2014/2015 with a success. Two days ago the ensemble returned from the International Choral Festival in Derry, Northern Ireland, where they managed to land 2nd place. This is yet another success of the Szczecin choir on the musical map of European art events.
Before arriving in Northern Ireland, the 40-person ensemble took a tour round Dublin, the capital of Ireland and participated in highly creative vocal workshops directed by a renowned Irish artist - Michael McGlynn - a composer, arranger, founder of a charismatic vocal group Anuna. Voices from Szczecin had an opportunity to take part in unconventional exercises in voice production, articulation and interpretation of selected musical pieces. An interesting experience, which later on proved to be a useful one, was joint singing and becoming emotionally involved in a tune with ... eyes closed.
After Dublin, the Choir of the Maritime University of Szczecin travelled to the Northern part of the island- to the city of Derry where the International Choral Festival was held between 23-26 October 2014. Over 700 choir signers participated in the Festival, including groups from Estonia, Czech Republic, Germany, Slovenia, United Kingdom, Wales and Ireland. The Szczecin Chorus performed the Marine Psalm 107 by M. Jasiński, Ave Maris Stella by P. Jańczak, chamber music by M.Zieleński. An interesting situation occurred during the competition performance. At some stage of Psalm 107 the lights went unexpectedly out. The blackout lasted for about 3minutes. The choir mistress went on, unmoved, and the whole ensemble finished the piece in complete darkness. The workshop with the Irish composer proved at that point most useful indeed..
The award jury, headed by Professor R.Rasmussen from Norway, in compliance with the Regulations of the Competition, awarded three winners. The first place was taken by the University of Primorska Choir from Slovenia, the second by the Choir of the Maritime University of Szczecin and the third by Kammerchor Alumni Heidelberg from Germany.
Apart from taking part in the competition, the voices of Poland gave an interview for the BBC, participated in a guest concert - by a famous London group “Sweengle Singers”, visited a picturesque town of Derry and beautiful cliff coastline over the Atlantic with unusual erosion-shaped rocks and incredible views. All choir members experienced but warm welcome on the part of the Festival hosts and the town residents.
