biography

Since March 1993 the Olsztyn Collegium Baccalarum Choir has been the 4th branch of the Pojezierze Social and Cultural Association.
Currently, the choir consists of about 45 people of various professions, e.g. teachers, lawyers, doctors, managers, civil servants and others. It is an amateur choir, working to promote musical culture in the local community and beyond.
The ensemble performs works by Polish and foreign composers. Among them are old Polish, religious and folk songs as well as contemporary compositions.
The choir was founded in October 1987. Its founders were: Lechosław Ragan – the founder of several choirs in Olsztyn, later the head of the music education department at the High School of Fine Arts, and teachers Janina Rusak and Barbara Rytwińska. Initially, the team operated under the auspices of the ZNP and the Olsztyn Board of Education. It consisted mainly of teachers and their families. Over the years, the composition and role of the choir has changed somewhat.
The true soul of the choir are its directors. The choir was subsequently directed by:
Lechosław Ragan – in the years 1987-1992,
Jan Połowianiuk – in the years 1992-1996.
Since 1997 the choir has been directed by Dr. Agata Wilińska. Since she took over, one can undoubtedly speak of the Collegium Baccalarum’s ‘golden age’, as most of the awards and accolades the choir won during her time as director.
So far, the band has given over 350 concerts in Poland and abroad. The choir performed in Belgium in 1990 and 1992 and in France in 1994, 2002 and 2014. During visits abroad, we established a permanent collaboration with the choirs “Singheet Vroo” (Belgium) and “Cantabile” from St. Brieuc and the “Oratorio” of Chateauroux (France). All these choirs have visited our homes and given concerts in Poland. The collaboration has resulted in many long-term friendships.
Another interesting activity of the choir is participation in competitions and festivals in Poland and abroad. Among the most important are:
• XII International Festival of Orthodox Church Music in Hajnówka,
• in 1993, a review of Teachers’ Choirs in Krosno,
• participated twice in the National Festival of Religious Music in Rumia – 1995 and 1998 (distinction),
• Choral Music Festival in Graz (Austria) in 1999,
• the most prestigious International Festival Legnica Cantat in Poland in 2001. (we received the 3rd prize),
• International Choral Music Festival in Olomouc (Czech Republic) in 2004 (we won two silver medals).
• International Choral Music Festival in Ohrid, Macedonia in 2009 (2nd place)
• Paris Music Festival organized by MusikRaisenFashination (France) in 2011.
• X International Choral Art Festival “The Singing World” St. Petersburg (Russia) in 2012.
• IV Krakow International Choral Festival “Cracovia Cantans” in 2013.
• Tour Brittany – France 2014
• VII International Festival of Choirs and Orchestras in Montecatini Terme in Tuscany – 2015
• Exhibition in Kaczyce, Romania. The trip was invited by the Union of Poles in Romania and its president, Gerwazy Longher. – 2016
• The setting of the holy mass and concert at the church of St. Giles in Prague and a concert for the Polish community in the gardens of the Polish embassy in the Czech Republic – 2017
• “Singing & Dancing In Bar” international festival of folklore, choir and modernity – 2018
• Setting up and concert of the Holy Mass in the Church of God’s Mercy in Augsburg, Germany (Polish parish) – 2019
• 16th Festival “O Warmio My Dear” by Feliks Nowowiejski, Olsztyn 2021 – Grand Prize Diploma of the President of Olsztyn, Piotr Grzymowicz.
• Concert at St. Joseph’s Church in Freiburg im Breisgau in Germany near the Swiss border. – 2022
• National Choral Competition – Wroclaw as a City of Music 2022. Golden diploma, 1st place and special prize for the most points in its category.
In its artistic activity, in addition to traveling abroad and promoting Polish culture, the ensemble acts for the benefit of the local community. We give many benefit concerts, integrate and give concerts with other choirs from Olsztyn. We particularly remember the participation:
– at the concert on the occasion of the visit of the Holy Father John Paul II to Olsztyn in 1991,
– at WA Mozart’s “Requiem” concerts in 2003. around Easter and in 2005. in honor of the deceased Pope John Paul II.
Almost all of Olsztyn’s choirs sang at that time.
We maintain friendly relations with the Olsztyn Collegium Musicum choir directed by Janusz Wiliński. We have been organizing shows and Christmas Eve evenings together for many years.
In June 2005, a joint concert dedicated to the work of Mikołaj Henryk Górecki was held.
– in the Co-Cathedral Basilica of St. James in Olsztyn we sang “Gloria” in D major RV 58