Mixed Choir Echo from Zebrzydowice

Poland

The Mixed Choir ECHO was founded in Zebrzydowice in 1937. Throughout its long history, the choir has seen changes in patrons, conductors, and management. Since 1995, it has continued its artistic activity under the auspices of the Municipal Cultural Centre in Zebrzydowice. The choir’s repertoire encompasses works by Polish and international composers, spanning from the Renaissance to contemporary music. It includes both sacred and secular pieces, Christmas carols, and artistically arranged folk songs. The ensemble actively contributes to the religious, musical, and cultural life of the Zebrzydowice municipality, enriching major church, national, and regional events with its singing. ECHO is a laureate of numerous prestigious national and international choral competitions and festivals. The choir has performed in nearly all major sacred venues in Poland and has also given concerts abroad—in the Czech Republic, Austria, Romania, Ukraine, Switzerland, Lithuania, and Italy. Among its accomplishments are 11 thematic albums, and nine master’s theses have been written about the choir’s activity at the Institute of Music of the University of Silesia in Katowice. The choir is also a member of the Polish Association of Choirs and Orchestras. In recognition of its artistic achievements, ECHO was awarded the Medal for Merit to Culture – Gloria Artis in 2020. In 2023, it received the Honorary Gold Badge with Diamond from the Polish Association of Choirs and Orchestras in Warsaw, along with numerous other honors. Since 1977, the choir has been conducted and artistically directed by Dr. Jadwiga Sikora, and since 2014, its president has been Kazimierz Pietraszek, M.A.