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Description
The project PLATFORM FOR SINGING creates a unique platform for contemporary vocal music. It supports creation and performing of new contemporary works but it also shows a possible usage of singing as an educational tool. It brings music and singing to all possible target groups. The project takes part from November 2020 to October 2022, mostly in Prague but also in other regions in Czech Republic.
PLATFORM FOR SINGING realises a series of diverse activities which will innovatively contribute to the professional development of musicians (composers, conductors, choirmasters, singers). We will organise a Composition Competition which has as a result dozen of new compositions for choir. The best pieces are going to be performed, broadcasted and published. We will organise a Series of interactive Artistic Workshops aimed at professional musicians. We will prepare and perform a series of Concerts with contemporary Czech and Norwegian music for choir open to wide public.
However PLATFORM FOR SINGING brings also other views on singing. It makes contemporary music and singing accessible to wide public, including the minorities which can enjoy the communication potential of singing. We will organise a Series of Educational Workshops aimed at special pedagogues and children. The main topic of these workshops is group singing, working with a choir, performing of contemporary choral music and also health and social importance of singing. The minorities including Roma children profit immensely from this activity.
The project applicant, one of the Czech Republic’s foremost choirs the Kühn Choir of Prague, is the chief guarantor of the artistic quality and success of the entire project. The partner institution is the Norwegian Academy of Music in Oslo, which will be represented in the project by the distinguished Norwegian composer, Lasse Thoresen, professor emeritus at the Norwegian Academy of Music.
Summary of project results
Due to the wave of covid, the actual start of the project had to be postponed, otherwise the Project Promoter did not address any other major issues thanks to the good functioning of the team.
The Project Promoter held a composition competition, the winning compositions were awarded prizes, financially rewarded, published and some performed in concert. The activity expanded the choral repertoire substantially.
The Project Promoter has organised a series of artistic workshops aimed at conductors and choirmasters, who have had the unique opportunity to try their hand at actively conducting a large choral ensemble.The Project Promoter has performed a series of concerts focusing on Czech and Norwegian repertoire and on the choir in new contexts. The concerts were open to the general public and contributed to the promotion of contemporary art and its accessibility.
The Project Promoter organised a series of educational workshops for teachers in special schools, whose participation helped them to gain skills in using the potential of choral singing when working with excluded children, including minorities.
The Project Promoter promoted the project, the aim of the programme and the EEA and Norway Grants.
composition competition - contributed to the expansion of the number of contemporary works.
3 artistic workshops - a total of 44 participants attended the interactive workshops. Participation in the project improved their professional skills.
4 concerts - the concerts made contemporary art accessible to the public without restrictions.
3 educational workshops - 30 teachers and 30 children participated in the workshops, which increased their professional skills.
Summary of bilateral results
The partner (Lasse Thoresen) acted as an authority in an international composition competition. At the same time, the Project Promoter performed his work in Czech premiere and presented to the Czech audience for the first time. The Norwegian composer brought to the Czech area important Norwegian inspirations and the compositional way of working with the voice. The main output of the project was the active participation of the partner - the Norwegian composer Lasse Thoresen asjuror in a composition competition entered by the choir. The cooperation was rounded off by a visit from the Norwegian partner in Prague at a concert where the Czech premiere of his composition was performed with the composer''s participation.