Description
In the Czech Republic there is a great tradition of choral singing. However, the majority of activities in this field is connected to the non-professional choirs. The existence of professional choirs, which often encourage the contemporary art, is in disproportion to amateur choirs and has much less public support. The function of singing of professional choirs as a social and therapeutic subject is also marginalized. The overall objective of the project is consistent with the objective of the the EEA and Norway Grants program area 17, thus strengthening the cultural dialogue and European identity through a better understanding of cultural diversity and cultural expression of minorities. In particular, the aim is to help draw attention to the potential of choral art and the general idea of common singing, both on a professional and social level. The project actively stimulates cultural dialogu. The Norwegian choirmaster will rehearse and perform the Norwegian works with the Czech choir. On the other hand, during this project the Norwegian partner will learn Czech contemporary music. The output of the project is 4 concerts. The project contributes to life-long learning in general and brings new information on contemporary European music to wide public. The Donor partner of the project is the Norwegian choir Schola Cantorum, which is led by choirmaster Tone Bianca Sparre Dahl. The choirmaster' role will be the rehearsing and a performance of Norwegian pieces. The partner will also head one of the series of three workshops devoted to the choral singing and performing of contemporary music. The partner will familiarize itself with the Czech contemporary music and further spread its experience with the Czech music also after the end of the project.
Summary of project results
The project "Let´s Sing!" was aimed at the presentation of the contemporary Czech and Norwegian music in the field of choral singing including Roma minority. The other aim of the project was to highlight the ability of choral tradition to encourage the performance and creation of contemporary art, which is typical both for Czech and Norwegian music tradition. During the project implementation four concerts for the general public were performed (2x Prague, Broumov and Olomouc). The concert that took place in Prague, was performed by two amateur choirs with the repertoire based on the cultural expression of minorities. In addition 3 interactive conducting workshops presenting the work of a professional choir with Czech and Norwegian renowned conductors took place. The other two activities - one creative workshop and one seminar were targeted at the youth musicians, music therapists and music teachers working with socially excluded. As part of the project two new contemporary compositions for the choir - the composition of De Monstris Marinis by Jan Ryant Dřízal and the Magic of Miloš Orson Štědrona were created. The project also involved cooperation with children´s choir "Blue band and Blue School Choir". The realization of the project brought the choir the opportunity to engage in contemporary classical music - new Czech compositions were created, while the Czech audience could enjoy the contemporary Norwegian music.
Summary of bilateral results
The project partner was the Norwegian choirmaster and conductor Tony Bianca Sparre Dahl. The partner was found through individual search on the internet, the collaboration was established by email. Bianca Dahl was actively involved in the project implementation from the very beginning. She helped to select the appropriate Norwegian compositions (3 contemporary Norwegian composers from different generations and working in different music genres). The conductor came to Prague and rehearsed with the choir in October-November 2015. She studied Norwegian compositions (Nystedt, Janson), than led a workshop devoted to the choral singing and performing of contemporary music and conducted these compositions at a concert in the Church of St. Simon and Judy in Prague (4.11.2015). This concert was recorded live by the Czech Radio and subsequently broadcasted throughout Europe via EBU. Cooperation with a partner from donor country was beneficial by bringing insight into contemporary Norwegian operating choir practices.