Dvořák Mixed Choir

Dvořák Mixed Choir

The Dvořák Mixed Choir, a member of the Union of Czech Choirs, was founded in 1946 by the combination of a male choir  and a female choir, following the established choir tradition in Uherský Brod (since 1869). Under the baton of choirmaster František Veselka (1906-1970) the choir became one of the best amateuer vocal ensembles in Czechoslovkia and received a lot of outstanding awards. After sudden death of František Veselka, the baton was overtaken by his youngest son Eng.Antonín Veselka (*1943), continuing  the meritorious work of his father. In October 2001 he received the Prize of the Town of Uherský Brod for his long-term contribution to the cultural life of the town and in 2018 he became the holder of the prestigeous national Bedřich Smetana Award. In 2019,when he retired, organists and regenschoris Petr Kučera and Bc.Jiří Hrubý became new choirmasters.

The Dvořák Chamber Choir, which focuses on sacred music, spirituals and carols, was founded  in 1988.  It performed with great success at the royal wedding of Dutch Prince Floris in Naarden (2005).

Both the Dvořák Mixed Choir and The Chamber Choir are extremely active not only in the town of Uherský Brod, the birthplace of world famous theologian, philosopher and pedagogue  Joan Amos Comenius, but also all over the region. They performed in numerous cultural centres  of the Czech Republic as well as in many European countries and took part in prestigeous events  like Prague Spring International Music Festival, the international competition Prague Cantat, international European festivals Cantate Bavaria in München, Alta Pusteria in Italy,the nation-wide celebration of the 400th anniversary of the Kralice Bible, concerts in cooperation  with the Bohuslav Martinů Philharmonic Orchestra in Zlín with the presentation of  Janáček´s Glagolic Mass, Prokofjev´s Alexander Nevsky, Orff´s Carmina burana, Dvořák´s Te Deum etc.

Since 1978 Christmas Concerts of the choir have become deep-rooted and popular tradition in the town Uherský Brod as well as in many towns and villages of our region. In 1994 the organizers of the choir founded  a new musical event in our town, the Festival of Choir Folk Music with international participation which is held in the House of Culture in Uherský Brod. Annual spring Concerts of Sacred Choral Music held in the churches of Uherský Brod rank among significant cultural events of the town.The choir published an LP record with Supraphon publishing house, numerous in- house produced CDs and cassette recordings. There are also a lot of videodocuments of  significant concerts.

The repertoire of the choir covers all periods and styles from Renaissance and Baroque polyphony via classical music, romanticism and contemporary music to arrangements of Czech, Moravian and foreign national folk songs. Thanks to its activities The Dvořák Choir has  become a recognized representative of  the town of Uherský Brod upholding the tradition of giving pleasure to others through the medium of music.

Petr Kučera, the choirmaster

He was born on 20th November 1996 in the town Zlín.In 2010 – 2016 he attended The Basic School of Arts ( organ play and singing ) in the town Uherský Brod. He studied at the Secondary Technical School (SPŠOA) in Uherský Brod (2012 – 2016). At present he studies organ play at The Conservatory of Pavel Josef Vejvanovský in Kroměříž under prof. Ester Moravetzová where he was a member of Conservatory Choir.

Petr Kučera, succeeded  Antonín Veselka, acclaimed former conductor of the choir and the holder of prestigeous Bedřich Smetana Award, when he retired in 2019. Since 2015 he has learned a lot about choirmaster´s work as a singer at rehearsals of the Mixed Choir Dvořák.  He also  gained valuable experience at numerous choirmaster courses as well as through organ playing at churches and regenschori work.

Petr Kučera started to lead the Mixed Choir Dvořák in February 2019. His first public and very successful performance took place in Uherský Brod at the Ceremonial Concert on 10th May 2019. At present he practises with the choir compositions of Czech and foreign composers for  traditional Christmass Concert, Dvořák´s Mass in D major and music of contemporary Czech composers for Spring Concert.

ÉCOUTER