Bratislava Music Agency
Záhumenská 3/A
841 06 Bratislava 4
Slovakia
International Festival of Advent and Christmas Music 2023
December 07 - 10, 2023, Bratislava
December 07 - 10, 2023, Bratislava
Ensembles
Ondrášek Czech Youth Choir
Czech Republic
Over the past 55 years, Ondrášek has solidified its position as one of the most successful choirs in the Czech Republic. The choir has garnered acclaim by winning prizes in prestigious international competitions and festivals, collaborating with top national artists, composers, and orchestras. Ondrášek's impressive list of accolades includes triumphs at renowned festivals such as AREZZO, LLANGOLLEN, MONTREUX, NEERPEELT, TAMPERE, CORK, LA VALLETA, BRATISLAVA, GUANGZHOU, WASHINGTON, KAUNAS, and JÜRMALA, making it a sought-after choir on the national stage. The choir's versatile repertoire spans a wide spectrum of musical expression, ranging from renaissance to contemporary choir trends. Notably, in June 2014, on their inaugural trip to the USA, Ondrášek clinched the first main prize at the Serenade! Choral Festival in Washington, DC. In December 2015, they secured the Grand Prix and the prize for the best and most successful children's choir at the CANTATE DOMINO festival in Kaunas, Lithuania. Another significant achievement includes the Grand Prix at an International festival in Bratislava, Slovakia, in December 2016, and two golden medals from Callela, Spain, in September 2022. Ondrášek continues to shine as a beacon of musical excellence with its consistent success and international recognition.
Josef Zajíček
Conductor / Leader
Joseph Zajíček, the soloist of the Nový Jičín choir ONDRÁŠEK from 1969 to 1974, emerged as the winner in the nationwide talent competition for children in Olomouc in 1973. Graduating from the Military Conservatory in Roudnice nad Labem (1976-1980), where he specialized in the French horn and harp, he furthered his studies at the Ježek Conservatory in Prague (1982-1985) under Jan Soumar for vocal training and singing, and Vlaďka Kozderková for musical theater and stage expression. Between 1985 and 1991, he pursued his passion for solo singing at the Conservatory in Prague and later in Brno under the tutelage of Prof. Anna Hanusová. As a versatile musician, Zajíček served as the concertmaster and soloist of the Military Band Tábor from 1980 to 1988, gaining recognition for his interpretation of folk and dance music. In 1988, Zajíček founded the vocal department at the Elementary Art School in Nový Jičín, assuming the role of choir conductor and artistic director of the Nový Jičín choir ZUŠ ONDRÁŠEK in 1992. His educational endeavors continued from 2005 to 2012 at the Nový Jičín Gymnasium, where he introduced the student choir Puellae et Pueri. Transitioning to the St. Anežka Česká Pedagogical High School in Odry from 2012 to 2021, he taught music education and choral singing while directing the flourishing girls' choir DATIO. Josef Zajíček is an esteemed member and composer represented by OSA (Copyright Protection Association), contributing to the expert council of NIPOS ARTAMA Prague for children's choir singing. His contributions to choral music were acknowledged with the Choral Conductor Award František Lýsek in 2004 and the prestigious Golden Badge of the Union of Czech Choral Singers in 2007.
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