Dr. Leszek KALINA
Was born in Třinec, Czech Republic, in 1963. After graduating from the Polish Secondary School in Český Těšín he became a student of Music and Czech studies at the Pedagogical Faculty in Ostrava. During his degree he was particularly interested in choral music, ethnomusicology, musical history and the pedagogy of music. In 1986, at the beginning of his fourth year, he founded the Mixed Youth Choir Collegium Canticorum, which immediately became very well known, not only in the Těšín region. After graduating, he continued to perfect his theoretical knowledge regarding musicology and musical pedagogy and was awarded his PhD for his thesis “A Comparative Study of the Polish and Czech Systems of Musical Education” (1991). He took part in Professor Józef Bok’s seminars on the interpretation of choral music at the Warsaw Academy of Music five times.
At the Polish Secondary School in Český Těšín, where he began working as a music teacher, he founded the student’s choir Collegium Iuvenum consisting of students from the school.
In the genre of folk music he runs two highland bands: Zorómbek, also made up of secondary school students (founded 1989); and Sómsiek, made up of former students (founded 1995). He is also a founder and artistic director of the chamber choir Amici Cantionis Antiquae (founded 1992), the mixed choir Canticum Novum (founded 1999), and the vocal ensemble Alaudae (founded 2002). Apart from these activities he was also a member or artistic director of about 15 other musical or theatrical ensembles between 1980 and 1995.
Leszek Kalina has not only taken part in musical events in the Těšín region as the artistic director of his own ensembles, he was also the artistic director of the Choral and Musical Association, which is a separate section of the Czech Choir Union and Polish Choir and Orchestra Association from 1991to 2003, and he has been president since 2005. He was also the chairman of the Composer Department of the Literary and Artistic Association PZKO (1989-1993). At present he also works as a music education methodologist at the Pedagogical Centre for the Polish National Education in Český Těšín.
After leaving the Collegium Canticorum Choir in 1999, he co-founded the Polish Artistic Society Ars Musica, where he works as artistic director. The aim of the Society is to support the culture (understood in a broad sense) of the Polish national minority in the Czech Republic.
Since 1991 he has also been a member of the Alliance of Choir Conductors of the Musical Artist and Scientific Association in the Czech Republic, where he works as a regional consultant for conductors of mixed choirs. In 2006, he was granted membership of the Association of Concert Artists in the Czech Republic. From 2004 to 2009 he was the chairman of the Competition and International Festival Grant Awarding Committee of the Ministry of Culture of the Czech Republic.
He often gives professional seminars, lectures and workshops at various choral and folk festivals and competitions, and conducts performances of combined choirs.
He has also been the author, co-author or reviewer of several academic papers in the fields of musical pedagogy, musical history, philology, music education courebooks, choral and school songbooks and music education syllabuses.
He has received several important distinctions, including: the President of Poland the Order of the Gold Cross of Merit (2015), the Highest Order of the Minister of Culture of the Polish Republic “Zasłużony dla Kultury Polskiej” (1996), the Medal of the Polish Ministry of National Education and Sport (2005), the Golden Order of Honour with a laurel leaf of the Polish Choir and Orchestra Association (2009), the Gold Badge the Czech Choirs Association, the Award of the Silver Brooch of the Consulate General of the Polish Republic in Ostrava (2001), the Stanisław Moniuszko International Award (2010) and the Prominent Pedagogical Personality Award from the commissioner of the Moravian and Silesian region (2002).
Most notable artistic achievements
|
2023 |
The Silver Diploma in the finals of natiowide competition "MEZZOCHORI" | Collegium Iuvenum |
|
2023 |
“The Silver Flambeau” in the International Competition of Marian-Sacred Music in Częstochowa (Poland) | Canticum Novum |
|
2022 |
The Silver Diploma in XVII international competition Gaude Cantem in Bielsko-Biała (Poland) | Canticum Novum |
|
2019 |
participation in the noncompetitive V Festival P-P-M in Ohrid (Macedonia) | Sómsiek |
|
2019 |
the first place in the Competition "Golden Ear of Corn" in Zebrzydowice (Poland) | Zorómbek |
|
2018 |
The first place and the avard for the best conductor in the International Competition "Varsovia Cantat" in Warszawa (Poland) | Collegium Iuvenum |
|
2017 |
The Silver Diploma in the finals of natiowide competition "Opava Cantat" | Collegium Iuvenum |
|
2017 |
Two Silver Medals in the 5th International Choirs Competition BRATISLAVA CANTAT (Slovakia) |
Canticum Novum |
|
2017 |
The Golden Medal in 45. International Competition "Festival of Songs" in Olomouc | Collegium Iuvenum |
|
2017 |
the second place (first price not awarded) in the Competition "Golden Ear of Corn" in Zebrzydowice (Poland) | Zorómbek |
|
2016 |
The Silver Diploma in the 7th International Choirs Christmas Competition in Kraków (Poland) |
Canticum Novum |
|
2016 |
The Silver Diploma in the 7th International Choirs Christmas Competition in Kraków (Poland) |
Collegium Iuvenum |
|
2014 |
The Silver Diploma in the X competition of Rybnik Coral Autumn (Poland) |
Collegium Iuvenum |
|
2014 |
Two Silwer Medals in the 28th International Choirs Competition PRAGA CANTAT |
Canticum Novum |
|
2014 |
the special prize (2nd place) in the Competition of Silesian Folk Songs in Koszęcin (Poland) | Zorómbek |
|
2014 |
the second place in the Competition "Golden Ear of Corn" in Zebrzydowice (Poland) | Zorómbek |
|
2014 |
Second Place (Large Choirs) and Third Place (Chamder Choirs) in IV international competition VRATISLAVIA SACRA in Wrocław (Poland) | Canticum Novum |
|
2013 |
The Christmas concert in Polish senate house in Warszawa |
Collegium Iuvenum |
|
2013 |
The Golden Diploma in the finals of natiowide competition "Opava Cantat" |
Collegium Iuvenum |
|
2013 |
The Silver Diploma in the International Choirs Competition in Międzyzdroje (Poland) |
Canticum Novum |
|
2013 |
Second (the first not awarded) and third place in International Competition "Cracovia Cantans" in Kraków (Poland) |
Collegium Iuvenum |
|
2012 |
Winner of the survey “Tacy jesteśmy” for the Most Popular Polish choir in the Cieszyn Region | Collegium Iuvenum |
|
2012 |
“The Silver Flambeau” in the International Competition of Marian-Sacred Music in Częstochowa (Poland) | Collegium Iuvenum |
|
2012 |
Awarded 1st Place in the 14th Stanisław Hadyna International Folk Song Competition |
Zorómbek |
|
2012 |
“The Silver Band” in the International Competition of Sacred Music in Námestovo (Slovakia) | Canticum Novum |
|
2012 |
the second place in the Competition "Golden Ear of Corn" in Zebrzydowice (Poland) | Zorómbek |
|
2012 |
“The Gold and Silver Band” in the International Competition "SLOVAKIA CANTAT" in Bratislava (Slovakia) | Collegium Iuvenum |
|
2011 |
“The Silver Band” in the III International Youth Music Festival in Bratislava (Slovakia) | Zorómbek |
|
2011 |
The second place in the finals of the contest “Śląskie Śpiewanie” (Silesian Singing) (Poland) | Zorómbek |
|
2011 |
participation in the one of the most prestigious european competition – 57th International Choral Competition in Cork (Ireland) | Canticum Novum |
|
2010 |
The Gold Diploma and winner in category in VI international competition Gaude Cantem in Bielsko-Biała (Poland) | Canticum Novum |
|
2010 |
The special prize in 22th International Competition of Sacred Music in Rumia (Poland) | Collegium Iuvenum |
|
2010 |
Awarded 1st Place in the 12th Stanisław Hadyna International Folk Song Competition |
Zorómbek |
|
2010 |
Awarded Silver and Gold Medals in Festa Musicale, Olomouc, Czech Republic |
Canticum Novum |
|
2009 |
Winner of the survey "Tacy jesteśmy" for the Most Popular Polish Choir in the Cieszyn Region |
Canticum Novum |
|
2009 |
Winner of a Special Prize in the survey " Tacy jesteśmy" for the Most Popular Polish Ensemble in the Cieszyn Region |
Alaudae |
|
2009 |
Awarded 2nd place (IV category) and 3th place (II b category) in one of the most prestigious European competitions – the 48th International Seghizzi Musical Competition, Gorizia, Italy |
Canticum Novum |
|
2009 |
“The Silver Band” in the International Competition of Sacred Music in Námestovo (Slovakia) |
Collegium Iuvenum |
|
2009 |
Awarded 1st Prize in the 57th European Music Festival for Youngsters, Neerpelt, Belgium |
Zorómbek |
|
2009 |
Awarded 1st Prize and Grand Prix in the Competition Chrám i tvrz, Vsetín, Czech Republic |
Alaudae |
|
2008 |
Winner of the Gold Diploma in the 4th International Competition Gaude Cantem, Bielsko-Biała, Poland |
Canticum Novum |
|
2008 |
The Special Prize (2nd place) in the 10th Stanisław Hadyna International Folk Song Competition, Wisła, Poland |
Zorómbek |
|
2008 |
Release of the CD “Ło, przepiekne grónie” |
Zorómbek |
|
2008 |
3 Silver Levels at the 20th International Academic Choirs Competition, Pardubice, Czech Republic |
Canticum Novum |
|
2008 |
Winner of the Silver Medal in Festa Musicale, Olomouc, Czech Republic |
Amici Can. Antiquae |
|
2008 |
Winner of the Silver Tuning-Fork in the finals of the National Competition of School Choirs, Bydgoszcz, Poland |
Collegium Iuvenum |
|
2007 |
Awarded 3rd Prize in the Mixed Choirs Competition, the 4th Prize in Female Choirs and Folk Song Parties Competitions in one of the most prestigious European competitions – 25th International Musical Competition, Cantonigros, Spain |
Canticum Novum |
|
2007 |
Awarded 2nd Place in the 9th Stanisław Hadyna International Folk Song Competition, Koszęcin, Poland |
Zorómbek |
|
2007 |
Winner of the Golden Tuning-Fork in the finals of the National Competition of School Choirs, Bydgoszcz, Poland |
Collegium Iuvenum |
|
2007 |
Winner of the Golden Tuning-Fork in the finals of the National Competition of School Choirs, Bydgoszcz, Poland |
Alaudae |
|
2006 |
Awarded 2nd Place in the category of advanced choirs in 18th International Competition of Sacred Music, Rumia, Poland |
Canticum Novum |
|
2006 |
Release of the CD Novum koncertowo |
Canticum Novum |
|
2006 |
Winner of the Golden Tuning-Fork and 2nd place in the finals of the National Competition of School Choirs, Bydgoszcz, Poland |
Alaudae |
|
2006 |
Winner of the Silver Diploma in the Competition Young2006Prague, Prague, Czech Republic |
Collegium Iuvenum |
|
2006 |
Release of the CD “Memento 1939-1945” |
choirs of Ars Musica |
|
2005 |
Winner of the survey “Tacy jesteśmy” for the Most Popular Polish choir in the Cieszyn Region |
Canticum Novum |
|
2005 |
Awarded 1st Place and the Award for the Best Conductor in the Competition of Rybnik Choral Autumn, Rybnik, Poland |
Canticum Novum |
|
2005 |
Winner of the Golden Diploma in the 9th International Competition Gaude Cantem, Bielsko-Biała, Poland |
Collegium Iuvenum |
|
2005 |
Awarded 2nd Prize and the Golden Diploma in the 11th International Academic Competition, Banská Bystrica (Slovakia). |
Canticum Novum |
|
2005 |
Winner of the Gold Medal in the 27th International Competition Figúš-Bystrý, Banská Bystrica, Slovakia |
Collegium Iuvenum |
|
2005 |
Winner of the Golden Tuning-Fork in the Finals of the National Competition of School Choirs, Bydgoszcz, Poland |
Collegium Iuvenum |
|
2004 |
Awarded 3rd Prize in the category of Advanced Mixed Choirs and Gold Medal in the Folk Category at the 18th International Choirs Competition Praga Cantat, Prague, Czech Republic. |
Canticum Novum |
|
2004 |
Winner of the Gold Medal at the 9th Festival Opava Cantat, Opava, Czech Republic |
Collegium Iuvenum |
|
2004 |
Release of the CD “Iuvenum koncertowo” |
Collegium Iuvenum |
|
2004 |
Awarded 1st Prize Cum Laude at the 52nd European Music Festival for Youngsters in Neerpelt, Belgium |
Collegium Iuvenum |
|
2004 |
Winner of the Golden Tuning-Fork and 2nd Place in the Finals of the National Competition of School Choirs in Bydgoszcz, Poland |
Collegium Iuvenum |
|
2004 |
Awarded the Special Prize in the Finals of the State Competition of Christmas Music in Będzin, Poland |
Amici Can. Antiquae |
|
2003 |
Winner of two Gold Medals and 1st Place in the A1 category at the 8th Festival Opava Cantat, Opava, Czech Republic |
Collegium Iuvenum |
|
2003 |
Awarded 1st Place in the 5th Stanisław Hadyna International Folk Song Competition, Wisła, Poland |
Zorómbek |
|
2003 |
Participation in the prestigious 40th International Competition of Choral Singing, Spittal an der Drau, Austria |
Canticum Novum |
|
2003 |
Awarded 1st Prize and the Golden Diploma in the A category in 3th International B. Martinù Choirs Competition, Pardubice, Czech Republic |
Canticum Novum |
|
2003 |
Winner of the Gold Medal in the Gymnasia Cantat Festival, Brno, Czech Republic |
Collegium Iuvenum |
|
2003 |
Winner of the Golden Tuning-Fork in the Finals of the National Competition of School Choirs in Bydgoszcz, Poland |
Collegium Iuvenum |
|
2003 |
Awarded 2nd Place in the Finals of the State Competition of Christmas Music, Będzin, Poland |
Zorómbek |
|
2002 |
Awarded 2nd place in the 12th State Competition of Polish Choral Songs, Katowice, Poland |
Canticum Novum |
|
2002 |
Participation in the non-competitive 5th Alta Pusteria International Choral Festival, Italy, where the choir was unofficially judged as one of the best choirs taking part in the festival. |
Canticum Novum |
|
2002 |
Awarded 1st Prize in the Silesian Song Competition, Poland |
Zorómbek |
|
2002 |
Winner of the Silver Tuning-Fork and 2nd Prize in the Finals of the National Competition of School Choirs in Bydgoszcz, Poland |
Collegium Iuvenum |
|
2001 |
Winner of the Gold Medal in the 6th Opava Cantat Festival, Opava, Czech Republic |
Collegium Iuvenum |
|
2001 |
3rd Prize in the 1st Festival of Silesian Choirs in Ustroń, Poland |
Canticum Novum |
|
2001 |
Winner of the Gold Medal in the Gymnasia Cantat Festival, Brno, Czech Republic |
Collegium Iuvenum |
|
2001 |
Winner of the Golden Tuning-Fork and 2nd Prize in the National Competition of School Choirs in Bydgoszcz, Poland |
Collegium Iuvenum |
|
2000 |
Winner of the Gold Medal in the 5th Opava Cantat Festival, Opava, Czech Republic |
Collegium Iuvenum |
|
2000 |
Participation at the prestigious Festival of Choral Art in Jihlava, Czech Republic and the World-wide Performance Composition |
Canticum Novum |
|
2000 |
Awarded 1st Prize in the Silesian Song Competition, Poland |
Zorómbek |
|
2000 |
Winner of the Gold Medal in the Gymnasia Cantat Festival, Brno, Czech Republic |
Collegium Iuvenum |
|
2000 |
Winner of the Silver Tuning-Fork in the Finals of the National Competition of School Choirs in Bydgoszcz, Poland |
Collegium Iuvenum |
|
1999 |
Awarded 2nd Prize in the 30th Folklore Festival of Polish Highlanders in Żywiec, Poland |
Sómsiek |
|
1999 |
Awarded 2nd Prize in the Folklore Band Competition in Zebrzydowice, Poland |
Zorómbek |
|
1999 |
Winner of the Gold Medal in the Gymnasia Cantat Festival, Brno, Czech Republic |
Collegium Iuvenum |
|
1999 |
Winner of the Golden Tuning-Fork and 2nd Prize in the National Competition of School Choirs in Bydgoszcz, Poland |
Collegium Iuvenum |
|
1998 |
Release of the CD “Z narodzenia Pana” |
Collegium Canticorum |
|
1998 |
Winner of the Gold Medal in the Competition of Christmas and Advent Music in Prague, Czech Republic |
Collegium Canticorum |
|
1998 |
Winner of the Gold Medal in the 3rd Festival of Opava Cantat, Opava, Czech Republic |
Collegium Iuvenum |
|
1997 |
Winner of the Gold Medal in the 2nd Festival Opava Cantat, Opava, Czech Republic |
Collegium Iuvenum |
|
1997 |
Awarded the Special Prize in the Adult Choirs Category in the 9th Annual Competition of Sacral Music in Rumia, Poland |
Collegium Canticorum |
|
1997 |
Awarded 1st Prize in the Folk Ensemble Festival in Zebrzydowice, Poland |
Sómsiek |
|
1997 |
Awarded 1st Prize in the Silesian Song Regional Competition, Poland |
Zorómbek |
|
1997 |
Winner of the Golden Tuning-Fork and the 2nd Prize in the National Competition of School Choirs in Bydgoszcz, Poland |
Collegium Iuvenum |
|
1996 |
Release of the CD “Canticorum iubilo” |
Collegium Canticorum |
|
1996 |
Awarded 1st Prize in the Silesian Song Competition, Poland |
Zorómbek |
|
1996 |
Awarded 1st Prize in the Silesian School Choir Competition, Katowice, Poland |
Collegium Iuvenum |
|
1995 |
Participation in the World Music Competition in Llangollen, Wales, Great Britain and 2nd Prize in the Folk Ensembles Category |
Collegium Canticorum |
|
Sómsiek |
||
|
1995 |
Winner of three Gold Medals at the Competition of Polish Choirs in the Czech Republic |
Collegium Canticorum |
|
Collegium Iuvenum |
||
|
Amici Can. Antiquae |
||
|
1995 |
Awarded 3rd Prize and the Prize for the Best Interpretation of Contemporary Composition at the Prague Days of Choral Singing in the Large Adult Choirs Category |
Collegium Iuvenum |
|
1994 |
Participation in one of the most prestigious European competitions – The 15th International Béla Bartók Competition in Debrecén, Hungary |
Collegium Canticorum |
|
1994 |
Winner of the Golden Tuning-Fork and the Cup of the Minister of National Education as the Outright Winner in the National School Choir Competition in Bydgoszcz, Poland |
Collegium Iuvenum |
|
1994 |
Awarded 1st Prize and Prize for the Best Programme at the Prague Days of Choral Singing |
Collegium Canticorum |
|
1993 |
Participation in the Bydgoszcz Finals of the National Competition of School Choirs and Winner of the Silver Tuning-Fork in their Category, Bydgoszcz, Poland |
Collegium Iuvenum |
|
1990 |
Awarded 1st Prize and the Prize for the Best Interpretation of a Compulsory Composition in the Festival of Choral Art in Jihlava, Czech Republic |
Collegium Canticorum |
|
1990 |
1st Winner of the Competition of Polish Choirs in the Czech Republic |
Collegium Canticorum |
|
1988 |
Awarded 4th and 5th Prize in the International Festival in Międzyzdroje, Poland and the Cup for the Most Versatile Choir |
Collegium Canticorum |