Choirs and musical programmes 2026

The Academic Choir Tone Tomšič, University of Ljubljana, brings together students dedicated to high-level choral artistry. Founded in 1926, it remains one of the leading forces in Slovenian choral music. The choir performs repertoire from all periods, with a particular focus on contemporary works, and appears regularly in Slovenia and internationally. The choir is preparing to celebrate its 100th anniversary. It has achieved major results at international competitions, including wins at the European Grand Prix for Choral Singing in 2002 (Arezzo; conductor Stojan Kuret) and 2008 (Debrecen; conductor Urša Lah). In recent years, it has also received awards in Rimini, Vic, Gorizia, Maribor, Varna, and Jūrmala. Under the leadership of Rahela Durič (chief conductor since 2021), the choir won a gold plaque at Naša pesem 2022, first place at Naša pesem 2024, special awards at the 42nd International Competition “Prof. Georgi Dimitrov” (Varna), and first place along with three special prizes at the International Baltic Sea Choir Competition (IBSCC) 2025.

RAHELA DURIČ, born in Maribor, Slovenia, studied choral and orchestral conducting in Graz, graduating with distinction. She is Professor of Choral Conducting at the University of Music and Performing Arts Graz and regularly teaches across Europe. Her awards include the Young Conductor Award (Turin), top prizes at the international choral festival Aegis Carminis (Koper), and the Best Conductor Award at IBSCC 2025.

The Delaware Choral Scholars (DCS) continue the University of Delaware’s tradition of choral excellence. This project-based ensemble—bringing together students, alumni, and friends—focuses on collaborative artistry, cultural exchange, and innovative programming. Its activities include summer residencies, educational initiatives, community partnerships, and international exchanges with leading conductors and composers. DCS has earned significant international recognition, including Grand Prix awards at the Tolosa International Choral Contest (Spain, 2025), Marktoberdorf (Germany, 2025), the World Choir Games (New Zealand, 2024), and Llangollen (Wales, 2023). As of fall 2025, DCS is ranked No. 1 on Interkultur’s World Rankings list.

DR. PAUL D. HEAD marks 25 years as the University of Delaware’s distinguished named Chair of Choral Studies. Under his direction, university choirs have appeared six times at ACDA conferences and earned international awards in Spain, Hungary, Germany, and Estonia. He has conducted honor choirs in 27 U.S. states, as well as in Great Britain and across Europe, served as President of the ACDA Eastern Division, and co-authored The Oxford Handbook of Choral Pedagogy.

Gratia Choir is the official student choir of Soegijapranata Catholic University in Semarang, Indonesia, founded in 1991. It plays a central role in university life, performing regularly at graduation ceremonies, liturgies, and anniversary events, while also maintaining a strong national and international profile. Under the artistic direction of Alfonso Andika Wiratma, the ensemble is known for disciplined preparation, expressive performance, and high artistic standards.
From 2016 to 2025, Gratia Choir achieved consistent international success, earning gold medals and reaching Grand Prix finals. The choir has represented Indonesia at major events in Singapore (2016); Rimini and Florence (2017); Prague (2019); Calella (2019); Jūrmala (2023); Perugia (2023); and Varna (2025). Gratia Choir also supports choral development through its organizational activities. Every two years, it hosts the Soegijapranata International Choir Competition in Semarang; the choir will present its 4th edition in 2026.

ALFONSO ANDIKA WIRATMA is an Indonesian choral conductor and vocal trainer. Largely self-taught in voice and conducting, he has also worked with international mentors and has led ensembles to top results in major international competitions. He coaches choirs in schools and universities across Indonesia, is active as a workshop leader and competition adjudicator, and has received conducting awards. He also directs several choral festivals and ensembles.

Sibi Consoni is the mixed choir of the Accademia Vocale di Genova, founded in 2005 and conducted by Roberta Paraninfo. The name—Latin for “consonant among themselves”—reflects the ensemble’s shared musical and human cohesion. In 2017, together with the Genova Vocal Ensemble, the choir recorded, for Brilliant Classics, the world-premiere recording of Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco’s Shakespeare Sonnets. The ensemble performs widely at festivals and competitions and has received numerous awards, including First Prize and the “Efrem Casagrande” Grand Prix in Vittorio Veneto (2021), two First Prizes at the Concorso Polifonico Nazionale Lago Maggiore in Verbania (2024), and three First Prizes plus the “Città di Arezzo” Grand Prix at the Concorso Polifonico Internazionale Guido d’Arezzo (2025).

ROBERTA PARANINFO is a pianist, choral conductor, and teacher who has founded and directed several ensembles since 1995, beginning with the Genova Vocal Ensemble. In 2005, she established the Accademia Vocale di Genova, which she continues to lead. She designs and leads music-education projects and currently teaches professional training courses in Italy for teachers and choir conductors. Together with Maestro Gary Graden, she co-conducted the Coro Giovanile Italiano (FENIARCO) from 2015 to 2016. She taught Choral Practice at the Conservatory of Castelfranco Veneto from 2014 to 2017 and is currently Professor of Piano Accompaniment at the “N. Paganini” Conservatory of Genoa.

For 27 years, the St Nicholas Choir Litija has been a distinctive presence in Slovenian and international choral life, noted for commissioning new works and collaborating with leading conductors. Alongside core choral repertoire, the ensemble develops innovative projects, has released five albums, and actively promotes choral music at home and abroad. Based in the parish of Litija—where it sings monthly—the choir is part of the New Culture Litija association and a member of the European Choral Association. Its recent achievements include the Grand Prize at the 18th International Choral Competition Gallus – Maribor 2025 and the premiere of the first Christmas oratorio in Slovenian, composed by Damijan Močnik. Through training young singers and commissioning new music, the choir contributes to the sustainability of Slovenian and European choral traditions.

HELENA FOJKAR ZUPANČIČ is a choral conductor and vocal coach at the Diocesan Classical Gymnasium of St Stanislav’s Institution and teaches vocal technique at the Academy of Music, University of Ljubljana. She conducts the St Stanislav Girls’ Choir and the St Nicholas Choir Litija. With the girls’ choir, she has appeared at major international events, including the World Symposium on Choral Music (Barcelona, 2017) and the ACDA National Conference (Kansas City, 2019). She is also active as a jury member and mentor, with a particular commitment to contemporary Slovenian choral music.