Biografia

THE COLLEGIUM MUSICUM CHAMBER CHOIR was founded in December 1977 and has been operating continuously since then. The choir’s conductor has been, since 1984, Janusz Wiliński.
The atmosphere of common interests, systematic deepening of knowledge and skills, as well as persistence in pursuing the goals set by the conductor, allowed to create a group presenting a very high artistic level.
A large number of festival presentations, prizes in significant national and international competitions, records, radio and television recordings are just external signs of success that the choir has achieved. The essence of this success is the joy of group singing, which the choristers find in working together and transmit to their listeners.
Since its creation, the ensemble has performed several hundred concerts in Poland and abroad, singing in churches, professional and improvised concert halls and schools. It has also prepared and performed dozens of oratorio and cantata works. The group has successfully given concerts in Finland, Sweden, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Bulgaria, Russia, Hungary, the USA, the Great Britain and France, receiving very positive reviews and opinions.
The choir has been awarded with numerous prizes, among which worth mentioning “Silver Lute” granted in 1997 at the Polish Choir Competition “Legnica Cantat” and a very important Polish music award “Fryderyk” acquired in 2010 for the recording of Feliks Nowowiejski’s „Missa Pro Pace, Missa Stella Maris”, which was recognized as an Album of the Year in the category Classical Music – Choral and Oratorial Music.

JANUSZ WILIŃSKI – a conductor and choirmaster, graduated from the Fryderyk Chopin Academy of Music in Warsaw (a diploma with distinction in 1986) in the choral conducting faculty of prof. Andrzej Banasiewicz.
He began his artistic activity in 1980 as a student at the State Music School in Olsztyn, running a choir at the parish of Saint Joseph in Olsztyn. Between 1986 and 1992, he was the choirmaster in Feliks Nowowiejski Philharmonic in Olsztyn. Since 1984, he has been the conductor and artistic director of the Olsztyn Chamber Choir “Collegium Musicum”. He also worked together with the choirs of the University of Warsaw, the University of Lapland (Finland) and the Music Academy in Gdańsk. Janusz Wiliński is also the founder and conductor of Sinfonia Varmiensis – the orchestra co-operating with Olsztyn Music Society.
His artistic activity has been honored with numerous awards and distinctions granted to him by the President of Poland, the Marshall of the Voivodeship, the President of the city and many others. He also received a high distinction – the silver “Gloria Artis” medal, given by the Minister of Culture and National Heritage.
He is the laureate of the first prize of the National Competition for Young Conductors (1985) and the Stanisław Wyspiański Prize, awarded to young artists for the contribution in the area of Polish choral arts (1986) as well as a great number of individual prizes in various competitions in Poland and abroad.
Thanks to his passion and talent, the Collegium Musicum Chamber Choir has been able to participate in magnificent artistic mevents, establish interesting contacts and be honored at most prestigious contests and festivals in Poland and Europe.