HISTORY
Choir's First Moments (1960s)
The Šumperk Children's Choir was founded by Mr. Alois Motýl in 1962. Initially, roughly 40 kids attended the choir. The number of singers grew rapidly. Early on, prep section Skřivánek (Little Lark) and girls' choir Canzonetta were established. Under the leadership of Alois Motýl, the choir very soon worked its way up and became successful on national level. In 1967 the choir stirred up a sensation with its performance at a national competition in Havířov by finishing third.
Ascent and Fatigue – from Havířov to Georgia
(1967–1980)
The competition in Havířov brought many new opportunities and contacts but worries as well. Alois Motýl founded the Šumperk region competition of children´s choir the Golden Lyre. Gradually, there were more and more invitations coming to hold concerts outside Šumperk. The choir established its cooperation with music composers and professional musicians. Tours abroad successively became choir´s regular activity and the first record was published. The prep section Skřivánek split into two separate sections – Pink Kids and Colorful Kids.
While the choir's activity expanded, the vitality of the choirmaster/founder dwindled. When there was none left, he knew he had to leave the choir. In order not to hurt the kids, it was to happen in steps by gradually limiting all the fun parts. The last big event was the tour of soviet Georgia in early summer 1978, then a slow fading moved in.
Second Awakening
(1981–1989)
In early 1980s the wind of change blew in. In early 1981 Tomáš Motýl filled the role of the second choirmaster. The number of foreign contacts was on a steep rise. Despite many administrative and political obstacles, several tours in western Europe were made possible. Thanks to these appealing opportunities, the membership in the choir grew from 130 kids to over 300 within five years. The capacity of the existing choir sections could no longer keep up with demand. Therefore, a third section of younger kids came to life – Flamingoes.
- 1985 – Mladinski Pevni Festival in Celje, Slovenia (Silver Medal)
- 1985 – Musica de Cantonigros, Spain (two 1st places)
- 1987 – Prague Spring International Music Festival
- 1989 – opening year of the international festival of children´s choirs Krajina zpěvu (the Country of Singing)
Open World (1990–1999)
1990s signified the boom. The window of opportunity fully opened, and the choir became more internationally renowned. In Locarno, Switzerland it even triggered an establishment of the choir Coro Calicantus, which has ever since become its dignified and respected partner.
In 1994 Alois Motýl handed the imaginary baton to his son Tomáš. The choir participated in prestigious festivals and competitions. It consecutively published three CDs and held five years of the festival Krajina zpěvu (the Country of Singing). Starting in 1997, what came to dominate in a great part of the main choir was a sudden lack of goodwill to work hard. This ended in a deep crisis verging on dissolution of the choir.
- 1990 – Muziekfestival Neerpelt, Belgium (Gold Medal cum laude)
- 1992 – Musica de Cantonigros, Spain (two 1st places)
New Millennium (2000–2019)
In early summer 2001 there emerged first indications of choir´s healing. In fall 2004 the choir was made even stronger by including Helena Stojaníková as a conductor. The choir progressively came back to life with renewed passion to work, CDs were recorded, tours abroad abounded and there came further accomplishments at international competitions. In 2008 the choir held a separate concert within the Prague Spring International Music Festival. The choir's interpretation level and its subsequent achievement at international competitions reached an unprecedented climax.
In September 2016 Tomáš Motýl handed over the reins to
Helena Stojaníková and a year later retired knowing well that the choir will be
taken care of in the best possible way.