Campaign summary
40 participants from 7 countries (Poland, Czech Republic, Greece, France, Great Britain, Kosovo and Ukraine) from the following 25 cities: Ostrava, Athens, North Norfolk, Odessa, Le Pradet , Prisztina, Katowice, Gryfino, Zabrze, Bydgoszcz, Gliwice, Poznań, Rumia, Warsaw, Komorów near Pruszków, Szczecin, Gostyń, Murowana Goślina, Orzesze, Kraków, Chorzów, Wrocław, Świdnica, Frysztak, Frampol.
On October 4-19, 2023, participants organized open rehearsals, workshops, singing for health, online lectures and singing at holy masses. These events were widely attended by psychologists and therapists from various mental health facilities.
We assume that there were more than 600 individuals participating actively as performers in these events and the range of audience was approximately 2000 people.
The aim of the campaign was to raise awareness of the disease depression and to encourage people struggling with this disease to take action by contacting a specialist and singing in a choir as an auxiliary element in its treatment and prevention. The action gained the support of the largest choral organization in Europe, the European Choral Association (which awarded this project a micro-grant from the IGNITE program, as the best of the three social projects awarded in this year's competition), as well as the world-famous The King's Singers group from Great Britain, which especially he recorded a short video for its participants https://fb.watch/nR17DPVW1I/
The event was organized by the Chórtownia Foundation.
Partners: National Conference "Mam Głos", Silesian Association of Choirs and Orchestras and the Artifices Artificibus Association.
Content partners: Music Psychology Zone, PsychoMedic.pl Network of Psychological and Psychiatric Clinics, Optima Diagnostics and Therapy Center, Medica Medical Center.
Detailed list of participants and events:
Participants from outside Poland:
1. Czech Republic, Ostrava: Open rehearsal. Středoškolský pěvecký sbor prof. Zdenek Matějček, conductor Ondřej Pastrňák. The rehearsal took place at the Střední škola of prof. Zdeňka Matějčka 12/10/2023 at 1:00 p.m
2. Greece, Athens: CHORUS conductor Eirini Patsea, Greek National Opera rehearsal space, Athens, Sunday, October 15, 3.30–8.30pm GMT+3. Content partner: "echo" Music Psychotherapy Center. The open rehearsal was preceded by a lecture from psychotherapist Christina Kalliodi.
3. The United Kingdom, North Norfolk. The ARC 12 The Street Hindringham, North Norfolk NR21 0AA. Artistic workshop lead by Dr. Susannah Self, composer and conductor: "Universal Choir. Sing To RaiseYour Mood. A voice empowering workshop with easy to learn songs and relaxing sound immersions. Event also on zoom. Thursday 12th October 17.00 - 18.30 GMT
4. Ukraine,Odessa. Choir of middle and high schools of the Odessa State Musical Lyceum named by Stolyarsky, conductor Tetiana Yakovchuk. Artistic workshop with children's choir. Odessa, Sabaneev Bridge 1, 04/10/23. at 14.30. Event also on transmitted Facebook.
5. France, Le Pradet. La clé des chants. Conductor Madalina Spataru Open rehearsal at 179 avenue Ganzin, salle Boyer , Le Pradet, 11/10/2023 at 20:00
6. Kosovo, Pristina. Women's choir "Ocarina", conductor Elikona Hysaj Shala. Okarina Center, Prishtina, Zenel Hajdini St. 52, 14/10/2023 / 19:00 PM Concert and open discussion "Women for women". Event also on transmitted Facebook.
POLAND:
Concerts:
7. Apertum Cor Singing Ensemble from Katowice, conducted by Kamil Gojowy. The concert took place on September 30, 2023 in the Basilica of St. Antoni Padewski in Rybnik. The content partner was the Medica Medical Center from Chorzów
8. Chamber Choir of the West Pomeranian University of Technology in Szczecin, conducted by Iwona Wiśniewska-Salamon. The concerts took place at the Gryfino Community Center on October 13, 2023 at 4:00 p.m. and in Myślibórz on October 15, 2023 at 3:00 p.m.
9. Magnificat Choir from Zabrze, conducted by Barbara Ogórek. The concert took place in the church of St. Franciszka in Zabrze on October 7, 2023 at 16:30
10. Choir "To i Owo" from Bydgoszcz, conducted by Szymon Thiesler. The concert "Music is a gift" took place at the School Complex No. 8 in Bydgoszcz on October 11, 2023 at 5 p.m.
11. Vox Amici Vocal Ensemble from Gliwice, conducted by Krzysztof Hrycyszyn. The concert took place at the State Music School. Ludomir Różycki in Gliwice on October 10, 2023 at 18:00
12. All Fine Choir from Poznań, conducted by Laura Stieler. The concert took place in the Corpus Christi Parish in Poznań on October 19 at 7:00 p.m. The choir also shared materials about singing on their FB, Instagram and TikTok.
13. Risonanza Continua Choir from Zabrze, conducted by Adrian Lewandowski. The concert took place in the Franciscan church (Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary) in Zabrze on October 18 at 7:00 p.m.
Open rehearsals:
14. Lira Choir priest St. Ormiński from Rumia, conducted by Katarzyna Januszewska. The open rehearsal took place on October 10, 2023 in the Lira choir rehearsal room, and the substantive partner was the Social Integration Center in Rumia. As part of the campaign, the choir also participated in the Liturgy on October 8, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. in the Parish of St. Mary. Help of the Faithful
15. Warsaw Choir Saint John Paul II under the direction of Zofia Borkowska. The open rehearsal took place in the rehearsal room of the Warsaw Archcathedral on October 14 at 10:15 – 11:45 Honeycomb. Psychotherapy and support center for families
16. Academic Music Ensemble of the Silesian University of Technology, conducted by Krystyna Krzyżanowska-Łoboda. The open rehearsal took place at CKS Mrowisko in Gliwice on October 12, 2023 at 6:30 p.m. The Content Partner was the Faculty of Biomedical Engineering of the Silesian University of Technology - as part of the trial, a lecture "SEE YOUR VOICE" was held, during which acoustic issues were discussed. Kamil Gojowy gave a short lecture on the impact of singing on mental health.
17. Choir of the Komorowski Singing Society, conducted by Witold Błaszczyk. The open rehearsal took place in Komorów near Pruszków
18. Polka Girls' Choir from Szczecin, conducted by Magdalena Handke. The open rehearsal took place at Willa Ogrody Śródmieście in Szczecin on October 10, 2023. at 16.30-18.30.
19. Choir of the University of Economics in Katowice, conducted by Michał Brożek. The open rehearsal took place at the University of Economics in Katowice, building F, room 233F (2nd floor) on October 19, 2023 at 17:00-19:30
20. Choir "Sol-Mi-Do" PSM 1st degree in Gostyń, conducted by Agnieszka Turkiewicz. The open rehearsal took place at the Ist State Music School. in Gostyń on October 11, 2023 at 5:00 p.m., and the substantive partner was the Pedagogical and Psychological Counseling Center in Gostyń
21. Canzona Girls' Choir from Murowana Goślina, conducted by Adrianna Wtorkowska-Kubińska. The open rehearsal took place at Primary School No. 2 in Murowana Goślina on October 12, 2023 at 2:30
p.m. The substantive partner was the Psychological and Pedagogical Counseling Center in Swarzędz.
22. Bell Singers' Society from Orzesze, conducted by Martyna Rim. The open rehearsal took place at the Municipal Cultural Center in Orzesze on October 12, 2023 at 17.30. The content partner was Psyche Med Center for Psychiatric and Psychological Care in Mikołów.
23. Krakofonia Choir from Krakow, conducted by Lew Galaksa. The open rehearsal took place at Stakkato Art Space in Krakow on October 12, 2023 at 7 p.m. As part of the open rehearsal, in addition to singing, there was also a meeting with psychotherapist Agnieszka Połomska from the Open Center for Psychotherapy and Development.
24. Mixed Choir Cluster from Zabrze, conducted by Łukasz Łoboda. The open rehearsal took place in the choir rehearsal room in the former ENERGETYK cinema in Zabrze on October 12, 2023 at 6:30 p.m.
25. Poetic and Musical Ensemble Cantata from Warsaw, directed by Maria Augustyniak. The open rehearsal took place at the Przystanek Porajów Local Activity Place in Warsaw on October 13, 2023 at 12:00-14:00
26. Beatitudo Chamber Choir from Chorzów, conducted by Krzysztof Dudzik. The open rehearsal took place at the place where the choir practices, in the parish hall of the church. Saint Francis of Assisi in Chorzów on October 12 from 7-9 p.m. The content partner was the Medica Medical Center.
27. "Res Musica" choir from Gryfino, conducted by Iwona Wiśniewska-Salamon. Gryfiński House of Culture, branch at Pałacyk Pod Lwami, October 13, 2023, at 3 p.m. The substantive partners were MegaMed sp. z o. o. - Branch in Nowy Czarnów and Gryfino; NZO "Chrobry" Psychiatric Clinic Joanna Kostrzewa in Gryfino. A lecture on depression was given by Małgorzata Krawczak.
28. Modo Maiorum Choir from Warsaw, conducted by Michał Straszewski. The open rehearsal took place at the Wilanów Cultural Center, Intergenerational Education Center in Warsaw on October 8, 2023. from 18.00 to 20.00
29. Vox Apostoli from Wrocław (Marta Mrzygłód-Chudyk, Jakub Szewczyk, Filip Kozłowski). The open rehearsal took place on October 7, 2023 at 14:00-16:00. The substantive partner was the Family Counseling Center at the parish of St. John the Apostle in Wrocław
30. Female Vocal Ensemble "Eufonia" under the direction of Katarzyna Boniecka. The band published a recording of the song "Lean on me" along with a message for International Mental Health Day. facebook.com/choreufonia
31. Viento vocal group under the direction of Zuzanna Czubala, 1st Secondary School in Świdnica, 12/10/2023. 10.30 a.m. The substantive partner was a school psychologist/
32. International Choir IN ACTION/ Chór W AKCJI, conductor Luiza Patiperro-Chrzanowska, 17/10/2023, 19:00-21:00, JESUIT REFUGEE SERVICE, Rakowiecka 61 (entrance from Boboli)
Vocal workshops:
33. Poznań Seniors under the direction of Ewa Wodzyńska. The vocal workshops "Meeting with a song" took place at DK Jędruś in Poznań on October 13, 2023 at 5 p.m. It was a concert with singing together with the audience. Report on YT: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OgQaQbTMHhM&t=749s
34. Vocal Ensemble of the Pomeranian Educational and Cultural Society in Szczecin, conducted by Gabriela Malina. Singing for health took place at the headquarters of the Pomeranian Educational and Cultural Society, ul. Włościańska 1 on 14/10 from 14:00 to 16:00. The content partner was Psychoterapia Alicja Pakuła. The meeting was started by psychotherapist Kamila Grzesiak - in a conversation with the participants, she introduced the problem of depression.
35. Mixed Choir "Sokół" from Frysztak, conducted by Magdalena Wiśniowska. Choral workshops "Singing is health" led by Bożena Stasiowska-Chrobak took place at the Municipal Cultural Center in Frysztak on October 14, 2023 at 10:30. The substantive partner was the Mental Health Center in Jasło, and a lecture on depression was presented by psychologist Marta Miga-Tokarska.
36. Schola Cantorum Posnaniensis Musical Society. The workshops took place at the Clinical Hospital of Karol Jonscher Medical University. K. Marcinkowski in Poznań, Branch D.
37. Music Psychology Zone, Institute of Musicology, University of Warsaw. "Smart Singing" vocal workshops led by Joanna Dzido took place at the Tyszkiewicz-Potocki Palace at ul. Krakowskie Przedmieście 32 in Warsaw.
38. Eliza Szulińska, online workshop FREEING THE VOICE October 8, 11 a.m.
39. Vocaly App, Dominika Płonka, Lecture with presentation of vocal exercises, October 12 at 12:00
Singing during Holy Mass.
40. Parish Choir of St. Teresa of the Child Jesus in Warsaw under the direction of Anna Bryszewska. Parish of St. Teresa of the Child Jesus, Tamka 4a, Warsaw, October 15, 2023, 6:00 p.m.
41. Vox Apostoli, Parish of St. Saint John the Apostle in Wrocław, ul. Królewska 30, 51-200 Wrocław, October 8, 2023, 12:00
42. Choir of the Parish of St. Saint Jan Nepomucen and the Municipal and Municipal Cultural Center in Frampol, directed by Ewelina Wójcik, October 15, 2023, 12.00
The action initiated thanks to the establishment of fruitful cooperation, based on strong substantive foundations, including those presented in the "Open Letter" and a summary of numerous studies in the #BenefitsOfSinging campaign, fills an important gap in events - festivals, competitions and other ventures - organized annually in Poland. The visibility of many substantive partners (institutions focused on prevention and mental health protection) actually increases the awareness of participants of concerts, workshops and open rehearsals, as well as passive observers of the action (social media users) about possible ways to seek support. Moreover, "Music - Support for people with depression" changes society's thinking not only about people suffering from depression based on the current state of scientific knowledge, but also about participation in vocal groups as a way to prevent mental health, the first form of support and taking care of the overall well-being of the body. . In the future, the initiative has the potential to be an important and significant factor in larger movements and positive actions to develop and promote mental health.
