At the 53rd International Convention of the Polish Singers Alliance of America held at the Hyatt Place in Niagara Falls May 14-
The Kalina Singing Society of Buffalo #221, celebrating its 125th anniversary this year and under the direction of Dr. Brad Wingert, came in second place, and the Marcella Kochanska-
Awards are also given to the top scoring choirs in each musical division. In the mixed chorus division, first place was awarded to the Hejnal Singing Society #323 of Brooklyn. Second place went to the Aria Chorus #303 of Wallington, NJ, and third place was captured by the Chopin Singing Society #219 of Buffalo. The top three choruses received lovely engraved wooden trophies designed by Chopin Singing Society member, Michael Cygan, who operates a carpentry business, Enchanted Mountains Woodcraft.
The fourth place was awarded to Symfonia Choir #291 of Hamilton, Ontario, who are celebrating their 75th anniversary this year. Fifth in the mixed chorus division went to Polonia-
The highlight of the weekend event was the Mass and concert held at St. Stanislaus Bishop and Martyr Church in Buffalo May 17. Fr. Mariusz Dymek was the celebrant and the Chopin and Kalina Singing Societies led the singing under the direction of Dr. Brad Wingert, joined by the talented Polish operatic soprano, Dominika Zamara who was in the United States for an eight-
The grand concert also featured Zamara as soloist. A graduate of the Wroclaw University of Music and the Verona State Conservatory, she made her opera debut in 2010. Her outstanding vocal qualities, dynamic stage presence, and versatility in multiple musical genres quickly led to international performances across the globe in Europe, USA, Mexico, Argentina, China, South Korea, and Australia.
Her performance for this concert included Mozart’s “Voi che Sapeta” from the opera Le nozze di Figaro, Chopin songs “Pierscien,” “Piosnka Litewska,” “Smutna Rzeka,” and “Zyczenia,” and from Bizet’s opera Carmen, the “Habanera,” concluding with Moniuszko’s “Przasniczka,” where she was joined by some of the women of the alliance in a few lines. Her beautiful voice filled the church with a joyful sound and her gracious and gentle presence belied the commanding power of her singing.
She was rewarded with resounding applause and was awarded an honorary membership to the Polish Singers Alliance for her work in promoting Polish music around the world. During her stay, she noted that she is particularly fond of the music of composers Henryk Gorecki and Witold Lutoslawski. She acted as one of the judges of the competition, joined by Rasa Stalygiene and Karen Swietlik-
The concert began with the national anthems of Canada, Poland and the United States, as well as the traditional “Gaude Mater Polonia,” a medieval hymn which was sung at the coronation of Polish kings and inaugurates the academic year at many Polish Universities.
Also featured were the top scoring choirs in performances of their optional competition pieces, the full ensemble of female and mixed choruses performing their compulsory competition song, and the full choral ensemble in a magnificent performance of pieces related to America’s 250th anniversary, “Patrz Kosciuszko na nas znieba,” “Na Czesc Generala Pulaskiego,” both honoring American Revolutionary War heroes, and the beautiful “Processionale,” combining the two patriotic hymns, “Czesc Polskiej” and “God Bless America” which garnered a standing ovation from the audience, recognizing the beauty of the piece and the performance by the 120+ voices. The arrangement was transposed and modestly adapted by Dr. Thomas Witakowski from the original composition by Peter Gorecki.
Accompanist Karen Swietlik-
The grand finale was the “anthem” of the Polish Singers Alliance, “Gora Piesn” (Hail Song) by Eugeniusz Walkiewicz in an arrangement by Dr. Witakowski. A free will offering benefited the scholarships of the Polish Arts Club of Buffalo and the Polish Singers Alliance of America. The Permanent Chair of Polish Culture at Canisius University sponsored the concert.
The convention also included meetings for the good of the organization and a gala, featuring music of Special Delivery, where Mark A. Kohan, editor-
Additional honorary memberships were given to the following Alliance members: Cecilia Bidiuk, Bozena Grzelak, Grazyna Karpiuk, Alicja Kijek, Maria Lacic, Jadwiga Lanzellotta, assistant director, Maria Lesniak, Gustaw Morawiec, and general director David Zagorski at the awards brunch on Sunday morning. Elected to serve as officers for the next three years at the meetings were David Zagorski, general choral director; Maria Lesniak, assistant choral director; Mary Lou Wyrobek, president; Gary Bienkowski, vice president; Frances Cirbus, treasurer; Mark Niewiemski, assistant treasurer, and Donna Serafin, general secretary. St. Stanislaus Church also hosted a lovely post-
The Polish Singers Alliance of America founded in 1889 is the oldest Polish-
