Janusz SIADLAK – conductor, choirmaster and organiser of musical life. Founder and conductor of the “Collegium Cantorum” Choir – currently the choir of the Częstochowa Philharmonic. He was awarded a Medal for Merit to Culture – Gloria Artis. A graduate of Music Education at the Higher Pedagogical School in Częstochowa and the Postgraduate School of Choral Studies at the Music Academy in Bydgoszcz, from which he graduated with honours. He participated in courses, seminars, symposia run by prominent conductors and representatives of world choral studies, including Prof. Heinrich Poos from Frankfurt am Main, Dr. Hans Jaskulsky from the Conservatory in Bochum, Dr. Hayashi Hikaru from the University of Tokyo, Uwe Gronostay from the Berlin Philharmonic, Prof. Tatsuya Muratani from Tokyo and Director of the Polish Chamber Choir Jan Łukaszewski. Janusz Siadlak is initiator and creator of many artistic events (Academic Musical Meetings, Musicalia Czestochoviana, Music in Temples, Palace Concerts, Thursday Evenings with the Choir), including the Bach Family Music Festival organised in Częstochowa since 2010. He is also a co-founder and artistic director of Polish Chamber Voices. From January 2003 to August 2009, he was director of the choir in the Śląsk Song and Dance Ensemble. Winner of several dozens of prizes and statuettes for “The Best Conductor,” “Man of the Year.” Distinguished Culture Activist – honorary mention of the Minister of Culture of the Republic of Poland, winner of the Special Award of the Minister of Culture and National Heritage “In recognition of invaluable contributions to Polish music culture” and awards of the President of the City of Częstochowa for outstanding achievements in the field of music and many other prizes and awards won during competitions and festivals around the world. He has performed in almost all European countries as well as in North America, South America and Asia. An area of particular interest to Janusz Siadlak is deepening sensitivity to the quality and expression of sound, obtaining a richness of sound colours by developing the vocal workshop of singers to obtain the greatest homogeneity of the choir’s sound.
