The Gdynia Choir

The Maritime University Academic Choir

The Maritime University Academic Choir was established in Gdynia in 2001.

With the support of the Maritime University authorities, the group became a rightful academic choir and the official cultural institution representing the University in Poland and abroad. It has performed numerous concerts in Poland and across Europe, including Germany, France (also during the festival “Nova Polska” in France under the honorary patronage of the President of France Jaques Chirac), Lithuania, Spain (also as a cultural exchange with Choir of the University Salamanca), Romania, and Italy (also during the Festival Voci d’Europa in Sardinia).

In 2023 the choir performed at the annual Spring Concert in New York, as part of exchange with Bernard Columbia Chorus.

During the past years choir recorded several CD albums, radio and television recordings (both Polish and Ukrainian Television), alongside original soundtrack recordings in a feature film.

The choir collaborated with various orchestras (the Symphonic Orchestra of the Baltic Philharmonic in Gdańsk, Gdynia Chamber Orchestra, Gdynia Barock Music Orchestra, Polish Film Music Orchestra), many soloists, and other choirs. Since January 2019 there were numerous times when the Maritime University Academic Choir had the pleasure to accompany on stage the famous Italian tenor – Andrea Bocelli.

The choir is also a laureate of multiple choral competitions such as the Pomeranian Passion Song Competition in Szemud, Poland, International Festival of Choral Music in Eisiskas, Lithuania (both winning 1st prize), International Choir Festival and Competition “Canco Mediterrania” Barcelona, Spain (2nd prize in sacral and folk music), “Musica in Urbe” Choral Festival and Competition in Bydgoszcz, Poland (Silver Diploma), Liviu Borlan International Choral Competition, Baia Mare, Romania (Golden Diploma), V Polish University Choir Contest Święty Krzyż/ Kielce 2018“, Poland (2nd prize).

Karol Hilla, Director

Karol Hilla graduated from the Gdańsk Music Academy in 2003.

During the years 2002-2008 he was studying in Hochschule fur Musik und Theater in Hamburg with prof. Wolfgang Zerer.

He graduated from HMT Hamburg  “with honors”.

He performed concerts as a conductor and organist on festivals in Poland and abroad: in Germany, Russia, France, Netherlands, Finland, Sweden, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Lithuania, Slovakia, Romania, USA.

He is a founder and conductor of Maritime University Choir in Gdynia since 2001.

Karol Hilla with his Choir is laureate of Pomeranian Passion Song Competition in Szemud, Poland (1st prize and award for the best conductor), International Festival of Choral Music in Eisiskas, Lithuania (1st prize), International Choir Festival and Competition “Canco Mediterrania” Barcelona, Spain (2nd prize in sacred and folk music), Liviu Borlan International Choral Competition, Baia Mare, Romania (Golden Diploma), V Polish University Choir Contest Święty Krzyż/ Kielce 2018“, Poland (2nd prize). He was also a juror at organ and choir competitions.

Karol Hilla is professor on Music Academy in Łódź and teacher in Music School in Gdynia.

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