EŁCKIE TOWARZYSTWO MUZYCZNE

Ogólne informacje

Kontrapunkt choir was founded on the 5th of September, 2003 however its roots date back to 1997 . Since 2006, Kontrapunkt choir has been operating under the aegis of the Elk Music Association.
It is an assembly of forty choristers, people of good will, choral music lovers. Members of the choir have different experience as far as singing is concerned. There are former members of academic choirs, church choirs, school choirs and inexperienced singers whose first steps in this area of music have taken place in Kontrapunkt. They are all united by love of singing and cordial friendship. Great variety is a key characteristic of the choir repertoire. The most significant part is devoted to sacred music, but the choir also takes pleasure in performing other kinds of music.
Kontrapunkt choir gives concerts in Ełk and nearby towns as well as abroad. Among the most prestigious events in the choir history the following ones are worth mentioning:
- concerts in Basilica and Rev. Kordecki Hall in the sanctuary in Jasna Góra,
- participation in Łapskie Te Deum International Sacred Music Festival ,
- joint concerts in Germany and Poland with Werner-Jaeger Gymnasium Orchestra and Niederrheinchor from Nettetal, the German twin town of Ełk,
- concerts in Vilnius for the Association of Polish People in Lithuania,
- participation in the international concert in Viersen (Germany) celebrating Europe Day (2009)
- the Bronze Diploma of the IX International Festival of Choral Music of Felix Nowowiejski in Barczewo (2010).
- concerts in Basilica in Swieta Lipka during Świętolipskie Wieczory Muzyczne (2010, 2011)
Conductors: 2003 – 2008 – Jadwiga Cymbor-Pasińska, 2008 – 2009 – Barbara Mejner,
since November 2009 – Rafał Sulima
Rafał Sulima
Rafał Sulima graduated from Fryderyk Chopin Music Academy in Warsaw, Branch in Białystok, in three fields of specialization: organ music, church music and solo singing. In 2001, Rafał Sulima, was granted a scholarship of the Minister of Culture and National Heritage. He won the first prize in Pro Organo 2007, the third edition of National Organ Music Competition, receiving the Grand Prix. He was also a prize winner at Primus Inter Pares, in 2004. Nowadays, Rafał Sulima is a lecturer at Fryderyk Chopin Music University in Białystok, delivering lectures on improvisation in singing and religious service accompaniment. His professional experience includes numerous organ concerts, chamber music concerts and vocal concerts. He cooperates with Podlasie Philharmonic and Opera Choir as well as academic choirs. Since 2003 he has been an organist in Święta Lipka, where apart from his usual duties, he presents the unforgettable sound of the unique Baroque organ, famous throughout the world. In May, 2008, Rafał Sulima released his solo DVD album presenting fabulous music performed on that instrument. The album received the status of Gold Album in 2009. Since November, 2009 he has been successfully conducting Kontrapunkt choir at Ełk Music Association.