Participants Universitas Cantat 2026

The Choir of the Institute of Music of the Jan Kochanowski University of Kielce, POLAND
Conductor: Ewa Robak

The Choir of the Institute of Music of the Jan Kochanowski University of Kielce

 https://ws.ujk.edu.pl/chor-instytutu-muzyki/

The Choir of the Institute of Music of the Jan Kochanowski University of Kielce has been an integral part of the Jan Kochanowski University of Kielce for 55 years and plays a vital role in the university’s artistic life. The choir combines concert performances, educational activities, and representative functions, providing a platform for growth for the Institute’s students and alumni. The choir has participated in numerous projects in collaboration with institutions and orchestras both in Poland and abroad. It maintains a steady collaboration with the Świętokrzyskie Philharmonic, having performed over the years, among others: Carmina Burana by C. Orff, Symphony No. 9 by L. van Beethoven, Gloria by J. Rutter, Requiem in D minor, Op. 48 by G. Fauré, Missa pro pace by W. Kilar, the Calvary Oratorio “Go into all the world…,” by D. Lasota (2023), and the oratorio “817. In the Ashes, a Testament” by P. Łukowiec (2023). The choir has received several awards for its recordings, which are the result of collaborations with composers such as Zbigniew Książek, Bartłomiej Gliniak, and Piotr Rubik. These include:
- Platinum Record for the oratorio “Świętokrzyska Golgota” (2005)
- Double Platinum Record for the oratorio “Tu es Petrus” (2006)
- Double Diamond Record for the oratorio “Psałterz wrześniowy” (2007)
- Platinum Record for the oratorio “Siedem Pieśni Marii” (2008)
In May 2025, the choir performed at the 4th International Gloria Artis Talent Festival in Vienna, presenting Polish choral music to a prestigious European audience. In June 2025, it won the Gold Diploma and first place in its category at the nationwide Musica in Urbe competition in Bydgoszcz, and in November 2025, it received the Silver Diploma at the 10th edition of the Cantantes Lublinensis competition in Lublin.

SINGERS

ACCOMPANIST 
Monika Kozak-Wojciechowska

Ewa Robak

Ewa Robak – PhD in arts majoring in conducting, is a professor at Jan Kochanowski University of Kielce. She works with the Choir of the Institute of Music. She is the founder of the “Fermata” Chamber Choir (1999), conductor of the intergenerational “Antidotum” Choir (2009), and co-founder of the “Mała Fermata” Children’s Choir (2018). Since 2017, she has been working with the children’s choir at the State Music School in Kielce. Choirs under her direction have participated in the recording of 12 albums. Among them, with the Świętokrzyski Symphony Orchestra: Świętokrzyski Triptych: Golgota Świętokrzyska, Tu es Petrus, September Psalter, as well as Seven Songs of Mary, Passion – a musical-ballet performance in collaboration with the Kielce Dance Theater, Letters from Zgoda Square, A Holy Moment with You, and the oratorio “Do Betlejem”. She has performed in Poland and abroad (Denmark, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Belarus, Ukraine, Spain, Italy, Israel, the USA, and Austria). Ewa Robak has won over 100 top prizes at national and international competitions. She has received a number of individual awards, including: the Rector of the Jan Kochanowski University Award (2004, 2006, 2009, 2017, 2019, 2025), 1st Class Award from the Mayor of Kielce (2004), City of Kielce Award (2005), numerous awards for Conductor, a nomination for the “Świętokrzyska Victoria” Award in the Personality category (2014), KEN Medal (2009), Bronze Cross of Merit (2017). Since 2001, she has served as president of the Friends of the “Fermata” Chamber Choir Association. She is passionate about methodical work combining eurhythmics, dance movement, and choral singing.

   Jan Kochanowski University of Kielce, POLSKA