26 July 2011
Novopolotsk choir wins gold at Grand Prix in Austria
VITEBSK, 26 July (BelTA) – Novopolotsk choir Zvonkie Golosa (Ringing Voices) has won five gold medals at two prestigious international competitions that were held in Austria’s Graz on 10-17 July, BelTA learnt from head of the choir Albert Kozhushkevich. Four gold meals were awarded in the nominations Church Music and Homogeneous Youth Choirs at the 1st World Choir Championships for Youth and Young Adults. The Novopolotsk choir was so impressive that it was invited to take part in another international competition – the 2nd Grand Prix of Choral Music – that was held at the same time. Zvonkie Golosa won a gold medal and an invitation to take part in the World Choir Games 2012 that will be held in America’s Cincinnati. “Thanks to this most prestigious award we will not need to take part in qualification or elimination rounds when we participate in world choir contests. However, what matters most is that it strengthens Belarus’ prestige,” Albert Kozhushkevich said. He added that the victory became a pleasant surprise for the Novopolotsk team. Zvonkie Golosa was established in Novopolotsk Secondary School No. 3 in 1972. It performs the works of Belarusian and Russian composers, Western European classical music, Christian music. The choir often gives concerts, takes part in international festivals and competitions. In 2004 it came first and won the first prize of the international choir competition Eisteddfod in the UK. In 2008 it was awarded a silver medal of the World Choir Games in Graz. The choir performed in the famous churches of London, Salisbury and Malvern. The choir was established and has been led by Albert Kozhushkevich. The maestro received numerous awards of the Education Ministry, Culture Ministry, the town executive committee and medals.БЕЛТА