Schola Cantorum Sopianensis

The Schola Cantorum Sopianensis Choir, which has been an association since 2001, was founded in Pécs (Hungary) in the mid-1990s, in this city with significant choral traditions. Their performance in European competitions is due not only to the quality of their performance but also to their colourful repertoire. From the Renaissance to the late Romantics, works of special interest are regularly broadcasted (G. Gabrieli, H.L. Hassler, C. de Rore, S. Calvisius, M. Praetorius, J.P. Sweelinck). In 2012 a CD with Latin motets of contemporary Hungarian authors (Csemiczky, Gyöngyösi, Orbán, Vajda) was published. These authors have already recommended works to the choir’s conductor. The works of the great authors of romantic and the turn of the century (Peter Cornelius, Florent Schmitt, Maurice Duruflé and others) are recognized at any festivals. They are fond of performing early Baroque repertoire pieces (Buxtehude, Gibbons, Pachelbel, Praetorius, Purcell, etc.). It is worth noting that Schola Cantorum Sopianensis has regularly and successfully performed in European choir competitions over the past decade.

Significant results of the choir:

• Florilege Vocal de Tours International Competition (France)

1st place for the renaissance program, special prize for the performance of the compulsory work

• Arezzo International Competition (Italy)

3rd place mixed choir category

• 52nd SEGHIZZI International Choir Competition – Gorizia (Italy)

Gold medal in the categories 1c, 2a, 3a

Silver medal in the categories 1d, 3b, 3c

• Neuchatel International Choir Competition (Switzerland)

3rd prize mixed choir category

Church Music Award: For the best performance of the sacred piece

• Rimini International Choir Competition (Italy)

Gold graduate first place with 85.75 points

In addition to competitions, the choir also participates in at least one domestic or foreign festival each year, and is a regular participant of festive concerts: Christmas, Easter concerts, Europa Cantat, Choir Day.

Mr. Valér JOBBÁGY, Choir Conductor

The choir’s conductor Mr. Valér JOBBÁGY is a professor at the Music Academy of Budapest and he is the leader of other choirs (Madrigal Choir of Szekszárd, “Palestrina” Cathedral Choir of Pécs). He has achieved great successes in international festivals and contests in Hungary as well as abroad with his choirs. He had several prizes in Llangollen, London (BBC), Debrecen, Arezzo, Tolosa, Arnhem, Tours, Maasmechelen, Marktoberdorf and Rome. He realised his DLA master level in 2004 and received the award „Franz LISZT” for his outstanding music and interpretation activity as a conductor.

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