A – for everybody

B – for singers with choral experience

C – for good sight readers and singers who come prepared

D – for national and regional youth choirs, upon invitation and audition

Special atelier: Study tour for conductors

Traditional Songs From Greece and Turkey

In the atelier, Sofia and Çiğdem will work on beautiful songs from Turkey and Greece that talk about love, the joy of life, the pain of migration … and also songs corresponding to a dance! Follow the dance steps of tradition and explore the spicy flavours of the Eastern Mediterranean!

Length: 3 days (starts on Monday, 22 July)

Final performance: Wednesday, 24 July

For: mixed

Age: open

Çigdem Aytepe started her music education by singing in choirs when she was six years old. She studied violin at the high school and she has graduated from ‘Composition and Orchestral Conducting Department’ of Hacettepe University Ankara State Conservatory (HUASC) in 2003. She has gained her master degree in ‘Orchestral and Choral Conducting’ program in 2009 from HUASC.

She took part in many choirs throughout her education life; she sang in many national and international festivals and competitions such as the International Polyphonic Competition Guido
d’Arezzo, the Bela Bartok International Choir Competition in Debrecen, the International Competition for Choral Singing Florilege Vocal de Tours, the Seghizzi International Choral Singing Competition in Gorizia, etc. She has attended master classes for choral and orchestral conducting, and composition with internationally renowned teachers such as H.J. Lustig, F.M.Bressan, V.Nees, J.Rathbone, E.Carrasco, A.Farkas, P.Broadbent, P.Erdei, V.Hempfling, C. Pavese, L.Donati, N.Corti, B. Astulez and R.Rasmussen.

Since 2005, Çigdem has been working in HUASC, where she founded children, youth, girls and mixed choirs with her colleague Atilla Cagdas Deger, and carried out numerous national and international projects, supported social responsibility projects and prepared two books for children.

In 2021-22 season, she was the conductor of Ankara State Opera Chorus and prepared the choir for productions such as; I Pagliacci, Cavalleria Rusticana, Tosca and Un Ballo in Maschera. Currently, she is conducting the Conservatory Choir and the Saygun Philharmonic Choir, with which she interpreted works such as Brahms’s Requiem, Holst’s Planets, Debussy’s Nocturnes, and many others. She also conducts the Turkish Radio Broadcast Ankara Youth Choir and Ertuğrul Oğuz Fırat mixed Choir.
Çiğdem Aytepe, materialised numerous projects and got rewarded thanks to these choirs. Now she is playing an important role for both develeopment of choir music and raising of young generations of musicians in Turkey.

Sofia Gioldasi studied choral conducting (BA & MA) at the Conservatorium van Amsterdam with Jos Vermunt and Jos van Veldhoven. During her Master studies she received individual coaching from Basilio Astulez (Spain) and Andrew Nethsingha (UK). She also holds a Bachelor degree in Musicology/Music Education from the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.

For the last 13 years she has been working with children and young singers, specializing in the intertwinement of choral singing, body movement and stage action. During her time as conductor of the Nieuw Vocaal Amsterdam, the choir had the honour to perform at the inauguration of the Dutch King Willem-Alexander, record for Deutsche Grammophon, perform at the greatest halls in the Netherlands (Concertgebouw, Muziekgebouw, Dutch National Opera & Ballet, etc) and also win Silver prize at the Cantemus International choir competition in Hungary. In 2011, she worked as a music teacher at the Nationale Koren (NL) preparing the children for the 3rd and 8th Symphony of Mahler (concerts with Berliner Philharmoniker/Sir Simon Rattle and Concertgebouw Orchestra/Mariss Jansons, respectively).

In 2015 Sofia moved back to her home-country, Greece. She is the founder, conductor and artistic leader of the Voci Contra Tempo – Female Vocal Ensemble. She also conducts the Children’s and Youth Choirs of the “Friends of Music Society” in Thessaloniki, Greece and she is often invited as a guest conductor at the Greek Radio Choir.

Voci Contra Tempo functions as a project choir and its members are classically trained singers who are passionate about choral music. The ensemble’s versatile repertoire includes the main works for female choir (such as Holst’s ‘Planets’ and Debussy’s ‘Nocturnes’), as well as a cappella works, focusing on contemporary and traditional music. They have performed at the most prestigious venues in Greece and collaborated with important Institutions, such as the Greek National Opera and the Thessaloniki State Symphony Orchestra, among others. In August 2021 they were invited to participate at the International “Guido d’Arezzo” Choral Festival, giving concerts all over Italy with great success. In 2022 they created “Project Patrida”, a multidimensional educational and artistic project in order to enhance the creation of new Greek choral music. 8 new choral works were especially written for VCT and all premiered during Homelands Festival at the Kammermusiksaal of the Berliner Philharmoniker and the St.Matthäus Kirche in Berlin (February 2023, organized by Choralspace).

Sofia is a much sought-after workshop, lecturer and masterclass leader all across Europe.
She frequently collaborates with organizations, institutions and associations such as Europa Cantat, IFCM, Feniarco, Accademia Corale Italiana, Leading Voices Utrecht, Choralspace, Zimriya Festival-Israel, International Choral Festival of Preveza, Greek National Opera, Greek Radio Choir, World Choir Symposium, Quo Vadis Choral Conference, Hacettepe University of Ankara, Thessaloniki State Symphony Orchestra, Thessaloniki Megaron Concert Hall, and many others.

Her next future collaborations include a 3-days educational seminar and a choral workshop in Cyprus, organized by the Ministry of Culture (February 2024), her participation as a jury member at the National Competition for Choral Conductors in Arezzo, Italy (April 2024) and as a jury member at the Ave Verum International Choral Competition in Baden Austria (May 2024).

Through the process of listening and creating a unique sound from scratch of simple melodies from the Balkans, participants will have the opportunity to improve their vocal and creative abilities.
The aim of this atelier is to improve vocal technique, learn power of syllables and consonants, and through Music, the best international language, connect you with each other and yourselves. Also, we create a stage in a measure of performers.

Length: 3 days (starts on Thursday 25, July)

Final performance: Saturday, 27 July

For: mixed

Age: open

Graduated at the Music Academy in Novi Sad (Department of General Music Pedagogy) and in solo singing at the Isidor Bajić Music Conservatory in the same town.
He was a leader both of several amateur and professional choirs/ensembles.
Since 2009 he has been the professional assistant conductor and a singer in the Vojvodina mixed choir. The repertoire of this professional choir is based on music of indigenous composers, as well as gospel, contemporary music, Orthodox sacred music etc.
He was the artistic leader and singer in the male ensemble “Klapa Panon”, a singer in Chamber Choir of Europe and Time Ensemble; he founded the female choir in his town Šid, was a founding member and vocal coach of Serbica choir in Sremska Mitrovica and a member of World Choir for Peace.
From 2003 to 2011 he participated, as a baritone singer, in 11 different projects of the World Youth Choir, worked with 22 different conductors, sang over 150 choir pieces in more than 20 languages.
My career objective: to work with a dynamic and professional choir abroad utilizing my wide range of musical knowledge and rich choral experience together with my good skills in human relations, to exceed all the requirements of an professional bass/baritone choral or solo singer.

Personal Overview: I am a very ambitious and motivated individual who thrives on achieving individual and ensemble goals. I am reliable, hard working, always taking the extra mile to ensure perfect interpretation and can work successfully on my own, or as an integral part of a successful team.

Dive into the enchanting world of Nordic, Finland, Scandinavian and Baltic choral music. The atelier is designed for singers with choir experience. Whether you’re a seasoned chorister or have prior choral training, you’re welcome to join us. Discover the haunting melodies and captivating harmonies that define choral traditions in the northern regions of Europe. Gain insights into unique styles and techniques that make this music so captivating.

Length: 4 days (starts on Monday, 22 July)

Final performance: Thursday, 25 July

For: mixed

Age: open

Mikko (b. 1985) is a choral conductor and composer from Helsinki, Finland. He graduated from the Sibelius Academy in 2011 with a Master of Music degree and has been working as a conductor, pedagogue for choral music, and composer since 2002. Sidoroff has composed numerous pieces for different choirs and conducted many first performances.
From 2018 to 2022, Sidoroff held the position of Opera Chorus Master at Landestheater Coburg. As of 2023, he is based in Berlin, Germany. He has assumed new responsibilities as the Artistic Director of two choirs at the Choir Academy Dortmund: the Female Chorus and the Collegium Musicum. In addition to these roles, he will also take on the position of Chorus Master with the professional Symphonische Chor Bamberg.
Sidoroff is also the Artistic Director of the Krysostomos Chamber Choir, which he founded in 2003. The choir specializes in contemporary Finnish Orthodox church music, frequently commissioning and premiering new works. In 2016 and 2018, he worked as a guest conductor with the Euro Choir and has recently taught choral conducting at the Bundesakademie and the TU Dortmund University in Germany.

Seize the stage and witness the creation of an impressive performance. With an international repertoire, movement, and creative spatial design, a captivating masterpiece unfolds. Stephan Lutermann is synonymous with thrilling choir concerts, continually redefining choral music with his ensembles. Let yourself be inspired and take the stage with your voice.

Length: 5 days (starts on Monday, 22 July)

Final performance: Friday, 26 July

For: mixed

Age: 16-30

Stephan is a conductor and church organist, a highly sought-after soloist that has played numerous recitals throughout the world. His large discography and numerous recordings display music style competence and curiosity in exploring lost works and contemporary music. He conducts different ensembles and is especially dedicated to the younger generation of choral singers. In recent years he is intensely dealing with the subject of choir and movement, which led to the foundation of CHOREOS – the first ensemble of its kind worldwide.

In this atelier you may learn and sing compositions from the rich treasury of Serbian choral music, which builds musical bridges joining traditional with contemporary in sacred and folk music. You will sing a variety of music: from arrangements of ancient church chants to vivacious Balkan irregular rhythms.
Explore the rich Serbian choral heritage, lyrical depths and singing melodies through centuries, the particularity of music born on the crossroads of East and West.

Length: 5 days (starts on Monday, 22 July)

Final performance: Friday, 26 July

For: mixed

Age: open

Rade (b. 1972) graduated at the Russian State Music Academy „Gnesina“ in Moscow, at Departments of composition and accordeon. He achieved two special diplomas cum laude. Seven years of life and education in Moscow created a foundation for the direction of forming his artistic expression as a composer and performer. He made many recording for Russian state radio and TV, mainly as a composer. His works can be found even today at conert programmes in Moscow (mainly instrumental and chamber music).
His pedagogical work at the University of East Sarajevo engaged him at different departments since 2000. and now he is a head of the Department for church music and chanting.
As a conductor and artistic director of the Chamber choir of students of that Department, he held many concerts and shaped the programme concept and profile of the ensemble’s work. The first aim and idea of the ensemble – participating in church services, was extended to concert performances by including a varied repertoire. As a conductor, he premiered many pieces, some of them dedicated by composers to him and to the Chamber choir.
Besides the classical choral music, his choir performes also music from different genres and styles, particularly by Serbian authors, but also Russian, Western European and other.
He performed in many countries: Italy, Serbia, Germany, Russia, Slovakia, Poland, Greece, Slovenia, Croatia, Montenegro, Sweden.
With the Chamber choir he recorded seven CDs, dozens of concerts and documentaries.
He won international choral competitions in several countries and was awarded special prizes at all prominent choral festivals-competitions in Serbia (Negotin and Nish).
As a university professor, Radović is also the author of publications of monography and analytical materials. He worked a lot on establishing the artistic cooperation with numerous cultural and educational institutions in country and abroad (e.g., Institute of Sacred Music, Yale University, USA).
He is a member of many juries at international competitions and was awarded several honourable awards for his valuable work in the field of art and culture.

Magnificent and lavishing choral sound of a symphonized choral score, warm simplicity of a monastic chant in choral arrangement or an ancient chant in contemporary robe…chanting or choral singing of sacred compositions can take us to the most profound and elevating aspects of faith.

Length: 5 days (starts on Monday, 22 July)

Final performance: Friday, 26 July

For: mixed

Age: open

Irina is a conductor, pianist, composer and artistic director of the Academic Choir of the University of Warsaw. In addition to working on a cappella music she carries out immense artistic projects collaborating with the most outstanding Polish instrumental ensembles. Appreciated at numerous national and international festivals and competitions, she has been invited to conduct workshops and participate in thematic conferences, both in Poland and abroad. What interests her most in the world of music is shaping the melody and expressive performance of great pieces, those that are sometimes sunk into oblivion.

In this atelier Panda will teach her fundamentals based on her methodology Voice & Physique. Body awareness, a healthy basis posture and an ungoing flow of sustainable energy will make singing easier and even more joyful. Tom and Panda will create a true vocal, theatrical spectacle with original Pop – Art & Contemporary music arrangements, crossovers, multidisciplinary elements in this atelier. A holistic experience on using the voice and the body as the instrument to reach the audience. Music that moves!
East meets West, a horizontal connection, a female,circular movement. Embracing live and humanity coming from many years of building up civilization towards a true connection of WO-MANKIND. Truth, equality and Freedom!

Length: 6 days (starts on Monday, 22 July)

Final performance: Saturday, 27 July

For: mixed

Age: 16-30

Preparation due to goal of creating a vocal theatre performance.
Repertoire:
1. Father Storm Contemporary Componist: Laura Jēkabsone
2. S.O.D. medley – Los Bravos, Rolling Stones, Amy Winehouse Pop – Art Arrangement: Richard FitzHugh
3. Canon Panda’s Choireographies – Earth & Time Canon Componist: Hans Helsen
4. The Show Must Go On / Before I Go – Queen, Guy Sebastian Pop – Art Arrangement: Richard FitzHugh
5. Canon Panda’s Choireographies – Summer to Fall Canon Componist: Christoph Hiller
6. Deliver Us – Prince of Egypt (movie/DreamWorks) Musical Componist: Stephen Schwartz arrangement: Tom Johnson

Panda studied at the Rotterdam Dance Academy in the Netherlands. She has been a teacher at Codarts, Music Theatre in Rotterdam and worked with The Netherlands Children Choir, The Netherlands Female Youth Choir and Wilma ten Wolde as a movement coach and director for more than 10 years. For fifteen years now Panda has been working on her method / philosophy: ‘Voice & Physique’ This method is about supporting the voice by creating a good physical awareness and a way to let movement contribute to the quality of singing. She gives workshops and masterclasses ‘Voice & Physique’ all over the world and creates Choireography * for different choirs and their events. In April 2014 her book ‘Voice & Physique’ has been published and her 2nd book ‘Choireography’ was launched in April 2019. In July 2022 Helbling Publishing issued two Ebooks of Panda’s work which contain video’s of her exercises and 18 brand new canons with choireography : Waking & Warming Up and Panda’s Choireographies In 2014 and 2018 she created the winning program of the Aarhus Pigekor with conductor Helle Høyer Vedel during ‘The World Choir Games’ in Riga and Tschwane- South Africa. In 2015 they won the Silver Rose Bowl of ‘Let the Peoples Sing’ in Munich, Germany. As an atelier leader Panda has worked in different European festivals: Europa Cantat (Mainz 2006, Utrecht 2009, Bonn 2008 +2010, Pärnu/Estland 2011, Turin 2012, Bergen 2014, Pécs/Hungary 2015, Lyon 2017, Tallinn 2018, Ljubljana 2021) and for AMJ Eurotreff (Wolfenbüttel 2007 +2017), Leipziger Symposium für Kinder – und Jugendstimmen (2011) FCEC 48 Festival Internacional de Cant Coral (Barcelona, 2013), Choralies (Vaison-la-Romaine 2016 +2019), Leading Voices (2022, MC), VoiceUp A capella Festival (2023) Panda also directs musicals, light opera and music theatre performances. In 2014 she won an award for ‘Best Director’ and in 2016 for ‘Best Choreography’. *Choireography is a term that Panda invented to point out that her work is about movement which supports the singing.

Tom is a violinist and choral conductor.
For him singing is one of the most accessible forms of making music. By singing Tom reaches out to all groups in society: children and adults, choirs and schools, professionals and beginners. He hopes everyone can experience the joy of singing together.
To start with the basics Tom often sings with children in schools. He is the artistic leader of Zuidgeluid, and conductor in the OpMaatOrkest. Two projects that use singing as way to connect throughout society.
Also in his work with choirs he is regularly invited as an atelier or open singing leader in Belgium and abroad.
He Conducts De Lambertijnen (children aged 8 to 12) and Carmina (youngsters aged 12 to 18), two choirs from the C-koren, the largest choir-family in Belgium, with over 300 singing members. In Mechelen Tom conducts Vocaal Ensemble Viermaliks (a mixed vocal group).

Study Tour is a part of Conductors’ Programme and only possible way to see Atelier rehearsals. Every day from 22 to 27 July the Study Tour, led by Jan Schumacher (DE) visits Ateliers all over Novi Sad to hear varied music and learn from different conductors.
Conductors’ programme offers a full curriculum for the whole length of the festival: morning warm-ups, the Study Tour, conducting technique sessions, presentations, reading sessions, lectures and round-table discussions.

(starts on Monday, 22 July)

Jan Schumacher (*1980) is professor and Music Director at the Goethe-University in Frankfurt since 2015 and teaches conducting at the Music Academy in Darmstadt since 2019. Until 2016 he was professor for choral conducting at the College of Church Music in Rottenburg.
Having received his degree in School Music and German from Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Jan went on to study Conducting with Wolfgang Schäfer at the Frankfurt University of Music and Performing Arts. Even as a child and young adult (musical education with the Limburg Cathedral Boyschoir and the State Youth Choir of Rhineland-Palatinate), he was fascinated with the activity of group singing, which has remained the main motivation for his manifold activities to this day.
Next to the choirs and orchestras of Frankfurt University and Darmstadt Academy Jan is as well the conductor of Camerata Musica Limburg. With Camerata Musica he appeared at IFCM WSCM, ACDA National Conference and won 1st prizes in International Choral Competitions. With his ensembles, he builds extensive repertoires from Gregorian chants to world premieres, from symphonic orchestra to Big Band, and vocal or electronic improvisation.
Jan teaches courses for choirs, orchestras and conductors across whole Germany and was jury member in the national choir competitons of Germany, Austria and Switzerland. He is editor of various choral collections with some of the most important choral publishing houses (Helbing, Carus, Bärenreiter, Peters).
On international level he served for festivals like America Cantat (Panama 2019), Africa Cantat (Cameroun 2023), Europa Cantat (Slowenia 2021) or Choralies (2016, 2019, 2022), and giving workshops and lectures at the American Choral Directors Associtaion (National Conference 2013, 2023), the IFCM World Symposium (Argentina 2011, Barcelona 2017) or the Philippine Choral Directors Association (Manila 2019). He was Guest conductor e.g at the Chamber Choir of Europe, the Taipeh Philharmonic Choir (Mendelssohn: Elias, 2019), the Polifonija State Choir Lithuania (Bruckner: e minor Mass, 2023) and the Coro Universitario de Mendoza (2022). Jan was invited to teach conducting masterclasses in Bulgaria, Iceland, Turkey, USA, Venezuela, Argentina, China, Philippines and Iran.
From 2009 – 2018 Jan was board member, and later vice president and chair of the music commission of the European Choral Association Europa Cantat. Until now he is member of the artistic committee of the International Chamber Choir Competition in Marktoberdorf, Germany, and since 2019 he is appointed to be Artistic Director of the prestigious German Choir Competition and since 2020 Vize President of the IFCM (International Federation for Choral Music).