Wiktor Wawrzyczek Choir of the University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn

Professor Wiktor Wawrzyczek, the current patron of the choir, established the Choir of the University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn in 1952. Throughout its tenor the choir has won multiple awards at both national and international festivals. Though the choir travels, it is chiefly active locally in the beautiful town of Olsztyn, the capital of Warmia and Mazury, in Poland. Here, surrounded by forests and lakes, the members meet three times a week to practice music and enjoy each other’s company. Since its founding over one-thousand members have sung under its direction. It has also been run by almost a dozen conductors.

The current Conductor, Bogusław Paliński, is a prominent person in the local musical milieu. Before the University Choir, he co-funded the “Medici pro Musica,” a local choir of doctors, and worked for Stefan Jaracz Theatre and the Song and Dance Ensemble, “Kortowo”. The Rector of the University and the President of Poland have formally recognized him for his outstanding musical and pedagogical skills. He is the recipient of the Silver Cross of Merit, which was awarded by the President of Poland.

The choir comes from Olsztyn, a provincial city in the northeastern part of Poland. This region is famous for its large number of lakes and beautiful landscape. The city is home to many students who attend Warmia and Mazury Univercity. During the 15^th century Nicolaus Copernicus resided in a castle in Olsztyn. Today, there remains an astronomic table made personally by Copernicus.

-GG