The Slovak Teachers’ Choir (SZSU) is a male vocal ensemble of Slovak teachers that has earned respect both at home and abroad. Its foundations were laid in Trenčín. It has continuously and with dignity met its artistic objectives, aptly put by Martin Rázus as: “Ignite the love of our nation through a song”, since 3rd March 1921. The choir has given thousands of performances of folk, national and sacral songs. The voices – tenors and basses have been trained by prominent conductors, such as M. Ruppeldt, J. Strelec, J. Valach, J. Haluzický, P. Hradil, and Š. Sedlický. Along with other aspects, works written by prominent significant Slovak composers for the choir have brought it many prestigious awards.
Thanks to the contribution of Ján Geryk, the health spa resort and many teachers, “The Home of the Slovak Teachers’ Choir” was constructed in Trenčianske Teplice in 1933. Since 1968, The Home of the STC has been managed by the Ministry of Education, Science, Research and Sport of the Slovak Republic. Vocal and instrumental compositions are studied and debuted by the ensemble in cooperation with professional orchestras (The State Chamber Orchestra Žilina and The Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra). The SZSU has won many major awards at well-respected domestic and international competitions and festivals. The choir won a gold medal at the 2014 World Choir Games in Riga (Latvia) and four medals at the international competition, Bratislava Cantat 2019 (two gold medals in the folklore and sacral music category, an award for the best conductor and the Grand Prix).
The ensemble has participated in various projects and has recorded the following albums: Duchovná hudba (Sacral Music), Hoj, zem drahá (Oh, My Dear Homeland), Korunovácie (Coronation Ceremonies), Sakrálna tvorba v novom miléniu (Sacral Music For the New Millennium), Ján Cikker and a CD inspired by folklore songs, Tam medzi horami (There in the Mountains) (in total, 8 releases of musical media and CDs). The STC has made international performances in the following countries: Spain (1985, 2005), Italy (1987, 2007, 2008), Sweden (1989), Great Britain (1992), Canada, USA (1996), Japan (2001), Greece (1982, 1992), Ukraine (1989, 2004), Hungary (2005, 2010, 2018, 2019), Poland (2005, 2016), Serbia (2006), Switzerland (2005, 2010), Austria (2011), Czech Republic (2003, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2018), France (2013), and Latvia (2014).
Peter Siváček
