Prof. Krzysztof Szydzisz
Choirmaster, musicologist, vocal pedagogy specialist, speech-language therapist and a cultural manager.
Choirmaster, musicologist, vocal pedagogy specialist, speech-language therapist and a cultural manager. He is a graduate of the Catholic University of Lublin (musicology), Academy of Music in Poznań (Faculty for Vocal Performance and Acting) and of the Academy of Music in Bydgoszcz (Choral Conducting). He completed a post-graduate course in ensemble voice production at the Academy of Music in Bydgoszcz and participated in specialist courses for conductors in Slovenia, Denmark, Austria, Germany, the USA and Poland. In addition, he had the opportunity to take part in Eric Ericson's master classes. He also obtained post-graduate certificates in cultural management (School of Cultural Management, Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznań), higher education management (Faculty of Management and Social Communication, Jagiellonian University, Cracow), speech-language therapy (Special Pedagogy Department, Adam Mickiewicz University) and MBA in Higher Education Management (postgraduate studies) – Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań and Poznań University of Economics).
Krzysztof Szydzisz works at the Academy of Music in Bydgoszcz, where he heads the Department of Voice Production, established in 2004. He teaches at numerous workshops and courses for academic teachers, speech-language therapists and choral conductors. Moreover, he is a vocal consultant for many choir ensembles at home and abroad. He served as a music consultant for the European Choral Association - Europa Cantat for the 2013-2015 term. He is also a member of juries at a variety of national and international choir competitions: Legnica Cantat, Canti Veris Praga, IFAS Pardubice, Advent and Christmas Music Festival Praga, Folk Festival in Bratislava, Tonen 2000, World Choir Games, European Music Festival for Young People – Neerpelt, International Choir Festival and the International Choir Festival “Per Musicam ad Astra” in Toruń and others. Since 1998 he has been director of the International Festival of University Choirs Universitas Cantat in Poznań.
His ensemble, the Adam Mickiewicz University Chamber Choir, has given concerts on five continents and in over twenty countries, including Argentina, Australia, Bolivia, Ecuador, France, the Czech Republic, Greece, Georgia, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, Mexico, Peru, Spain, South Korea, Sweden, the United Kingdom and the USA. Together with the choir he won the first prizes of national and international competitions. He takes interest in a diverse repertoire, 19th to 21st century European choral literature being the most prominent area. As the conductor of the AMU Chamber Choir he has won a number of honourable mentions and awards.