Polish Juror Fulfills Dream of Bringing Choir to Fest.
July 8,1996
Jan Szyrocki is something of legend when it comes to choral music.
The Polish conductor is no stranger to Powell River, serving this year for his fourth time as a member of the jury of Kathaumixw. This year, however, he has brought a few very special people. Actually more than a few, he brought along his whole choir, the Chor Akademicki Politcchniki Szczecinskiej, fulfilling a longstanding desire to bring his singers to this community.
"I met Don James for the first time when he brought the Powell River Boys' Choir over to my festival in Poland in 1983. The festival is held in a little town on the Baltic Sea. A town very similar to Powell River. At that time he said I live in a little town like this and we don't have any kind of music festival. I think I'll try to make one happen. And, that's really how the idea of Kathaumixw was born, The next year, in 1984, the first Kathaumixw was held and I was first able to come to adjudicate in 1988," said Szyrocki. "I have been working to bring my choir over to participate in Kathaumixw for over 10 years now, and I'm so excited that it has finally happened."
He has also been a member of the jury at the international choral festival in 1990, 1994.
Lack of finances was the only thing that stopped Szyrocki from bringing over his choir, which is one of the most famous choirs of Poland, before. He started the choir in 1952 and they made their first overseas trip in 1959 and since then has given concerts in over 80 countries.
This isn't the first time singers under his direction have been to B.C., however. In 1978 the Chor Akademicki Politcchniki Szczecinskiej toured British Columbia for a month. At that time they were hosted by the Vancouver Bach Choir under the direction of John Washburn.
Szyrocki and festival music director Don James have become close friends over the many years they have been involved with international choral festivals.
"I expect to have a Powell River choir in Poland next year for my festival," he said, "I'm looking forward to it very much. And he paid tribute to this community for continuing to host an outstanding festival.
"There is a very special atmosphere to Kathaumixw. My choir is very excited and happy to be here in this beautiful town because not only is the town beautiful but so are the people."