Novopolotsk's "Ringing Voices" won gold at the world "Grand Prix" for choirs in Austria

July 25, Vitebsk / Olga Bogacheva - BELTA /. The Novopolotsk exemplary choir "Zvonkiye Golosa" (Ringing Voices) brought five gold medals from two prestigious world competitions among choirs from different countries, held from July 10 to 17 in Graz, Austria, the choir's leader Albert Kozhushkevich told a BELTA correspondent.

The Belarusian choir won four gold medals in the "Sacred Music" and "Youth Equal Voice Choirs" nominations at the I World Championship among choirs from different countries. For their brilliant and convincing victories in the championship, the Novopolotsk residents were invited to perform at another international competition held in parallel - the World Choral "Grand Prix". Participation in the latter brought "Zvonkiye Golosa" a grand gold medal and an invitation to the 2012 Olympic Choral Games, which will be held in the American city of Cincinnati.

"This most prestigious award allows our team to participate in world choral competitions without going through qualification or selection stages. However, first and foremost, it serves to enhance the prestige of Belarus," noted Albert Kozhushkevich. He also added that the victory was a pleasant surprise for the Novopolotsk team.

The choir "Zvonkiye Golosa" was founded at Novopolotsk Secondary School No. 3 in 1972. Its repertoire includes works by Belarusian and Russian composers, Western European classics, and spiritual Christian music. The choir constantly gives concerts, participates in international festivals and competitions. For example, in 2004, it won first place and received the first prize in the international competition "Eisteddfod" in Great Britain. In 2008, it was awarded a silver medal in the "Youth Equal Voice Choirs" category at the V World Olympic Choral Games in Graz (Austria). Works performed by the Novopolotsk choir have sounded in the most famous cathedrals of London, Salisbury, and Malvern.

The founder and permanent leader of "Zvonkiye Golosa" is Albert Kozhushkevich. For his high labor achievements, he has been awarded honorary diplomas from the Ministries of Education and Culture, diplomas from the city executive committee, the badge "Excellent Student of Education," and the medals "For Merit" and "2000 Years of Christianity." -0-