Autor: peclova

The project of the WBB ORCHESTRA (Wroclaw, Bydgoszcz, Brno), bringing together young musicians from universities in Poland and the Czech Republic, is a unique initiative that not only promotes early music, but also builds bridges between nations, cultures and traditions. The orchestra, which is created thanks to a passion for music of the Baroque period, is a meeting place for young artists who study at music universities in the two neighboring countries on a daily basis, and now have the opportunity to revive together the works of Polish and Czech composers of the 17th and 18th centuries. Baroque, as one of the richest eras in the history of music, becomes an excellent link between the universities, but also between the musical traditions of the two countries. In Poland and the Czech Republic, the music of this period has deep roots, and composers such as Georg Philipp Telemann (who often visited the areas of today’s Poland and the Czech Republic) are part of the common musical heritage. The WBB Orchestra project allows young musicians to discover this remarkable legacy, but also to revive it in the spirit of contemporary interpretation.

Thanks to the cooperation of universities in Poland and the Czech Republic, the project not only provides an opportunity to perform music together, but also creates a space for the exchange of experience, inspiration and new ideas.
Young artists coming from two different musical traditions learn from each other, searching for a common musical language that will unite their diverse approaches to the art of the Baroque period.Each instrumentalist brings his or her unique interpretation and approach to early music, making the project a unique artistic experience where tradition meets modernity.The WBB orchestra is also a space of creative freedom – young musicians learn how to read not only the score, but also how to seek their individual expression within a strictly defined style.

In a baroque orchestra performing on historical instruments (or copies thereof), such as baroque violin, baroque cello, simple flutes or harpsichord, young musicians learn not only technical perfection, but also the art of performance in the spirit of the period.
Classes in interpretation, work on sound structure, the use of ornamentation or dynamics in accordance with Baroque conventions – all this, becomes part of daily work in the orchestra.

Thanks to these unusual experiences, participants have the opportunity not only to learn about the history of music, but also to learn how to reflect the spirit of the old era in the deepest possible way, according to today’s research, authentic and emotional at the same time.

The WBB Orchestra also gives young artists a unique opportunity to perform internationally. Concerts in Poland and the Czech Republic become an important moment in the life of the orchestra, in which the fruit of joint work becomes available to a wide audience. This is not only an opportunity to showcase their skills, but also a way to build an international career in early music. Moreover, the project creates a space for building relationships between young musicians from different cultures. Joint rehearsals, concerts, as well as the exchange of views on interpretation, become a unique opportunity to get to know each other and develop international ties. The valuable contacts that arise from such a project are often long-term in nature and can lead to further artistic cooperation in the future.

WBB Orchestra concerts:

• January 10, 2025 (Friday) – Feliks Nowowiejski Academy of Music in Bydgoszcz
• January 11, 2025 (Saturday) – Karol Lipinski Academy of Music in Wroclaw
• April 6, 2025 (Sunday) – Leoš Janáček Academy of Performing Arts in Brno

The project is co-financed by the governments of the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia under the V4 Gen Mini-Grants Program from the International Visegrad Fund. The mission of the fund is to promote ideas for sustainable regional cooperation in Central Europe.

The SoundChain International Composing Competition, which debuted on the international music scene this year, has announced its first winners. The competition attracted 46 composers from around the world, whose original musical contributions presented the jury with a truly challenging task. Selecting the best compositions was difficult, as the overall quality of entries was exceptionally high.

The jury, composed of six distinguished music professionals – Trevor Wishart (Great Britain), Dan Dlouhý (CZ), Michal Indrák (CZ), Jan Kavan (CZ), Edgar Mojdl (CZ), and chairman of the jury Otto Wanke (CZ) – ultimately selected the winning compositions, which will be performed at the final concert.

The concluding concert will take place on November 24, 2024, at 7:00 PM at the Orlí Theatre in Brno, where the audience will hear works awarded in the following categories:

• First Prize: Changes – Marek Krajňák (Slovakia)
• Second Prize: Brompton & Braeswood – Timothy Roy (USA)
• Special Prize: hum, haw – Youngjae Cho (South Korea)
• Honorable Mention: A Midspring Night’s Dream in the Garden – Huixin Xue (China)
• Honorable Mention: Dyptich – Stefano De Stefano (Italy)
• Honorable Mention: Morphaime – Valentin Sismann (France)

The SoundChain Competition, aimed at supporting and showcasing talented composers of electroacoustic music, has already established itself as a unique platform for emerging composers. Organizers and jury members alike believe that the competition will inspire and foster the development of electroacoustic music on an international scale.

From November 9 to 11, 2023, the annual meeting of the Association Européenne des Conservatoires, Académies de Musique et Musikhochschulen (AEC) was held in The Hague. The event was organized by our partner university, the Royal Conservatoire in The Hague. Representatives from JAMU included the Rector of JAMU, the Dean of the Faculty of Music and the PR Manager of the Faculty of Music.

In addition to presenting the international study program European Master of Early Music, which we share with our partner university in The Hague, there was also an election of new members to the AEC Council. We are delighted to announce that the Dean of the Faculty of Music at JAMU, Barbara Maria Willi, will serve on the AEC Council for the next three years. Małgorzata Sternal from Krakow was also elected as a new member of the Council.

“My membership in the AEC Council represents a great prestige for JAMU in the community of European and world art schools. Based on the election results, I have received a number of interesting offers for collaboration and opportunities for advocacy. I will represent not only the Faculty of Music at JAMU but all art schools represented in the AEC,” adds Dean Barbara Maria Willi.

“The Faculty of Music at JAMU is thus at the source of information, which will significantly help us in making future decisions. We will have a greater chance to join the IN.TUNE alliance of universities, opening new resources and supporting our technological and artistic development. By being represented in the AEC Council, we can initiate AEC Council meetings at our university, thereby increasing our relevance and prestige in the world. Membership in the Council opens doors to new international partnerships with potential partners. Through our membership, we can more effectively express the interests and needs of art schools from Central and Eastern Europe, contributing to the culture of freedom and equality.“