As the project entitled 'Redevelopment of the monumental facility of the Karol Szymanowski Academy of Music' has been completed, the Boleslaw Szabelski Auditorium has regained its past splendour. As a result of renovation and restoration works, the exceptional ornaments and decoration of the Auditorium have been brought to light. A new specially designed pipe organ has been installed, underlining the unique aesthetic values of the room. Since April 2016, numerous artistic, cultural and educational events have been taking place in the renovated Bolesław Szabelski Auditorium.

This is a unique auditorium, not only because of its aesthetic values, but also due to its historical dimension. In the interwar period, the building was the first seat of the Silesian Sejm and on the first session of the Silesian Sejm was held in this Auditorium on October 10, 1922. The Auditorium is located in the building of the Academy of Music at ul. Wojewódzka 33a in Katowice.

Since April 2016, numerous artistic, cultural and educational events have been taking place in the renovated Bolesław Szabelski Auditorium. Presented below is the list of selected cyclical events organized in the Auditorium.

“SENIOR ACADEMY OF MUSIC”

“The Senior Academy of Music” aims at teaching students  about various types of the human voice and instruments - their scale, design, history, methods of articulation and characteristic features. Within the Academy, each year approximately 10 lecture, speeches illustrated with music will take place. The lectures concerning introduction to music will be easy to acquire and will allow the students to learn about the technical and aesthetic dimensions of the art of sounds. The exercises will include the “Home Song Book” which aim is to restore the traditional, amateur singing at home.

MUSIC THERAPY WORKSHOPS AND INTEGRATIVE  CONCERTS FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES

The aim of music workshops with people with disabilities is working on cognitive processes such as memory, concentration, emotional expression and social competences by means of playing music and singing, improvising and completing music exercises jointly.

The aim of the concerts, apart from the therapeutic role, is integration of people with disabilities and socialising children and youth using therapeutic and educational integration facilities. For children without disabilities, participation in the concert will constitute a lesson of tolerance and respect for people with disabilities.

PIPE ORGAN MUSIC RECITALS, TOURS IN THE SILESIAN PIPE ORGAN MUSEUM

The Silesian Pipe Organ Museum is the only museum in Poland and Central Europe dedicated to this instrument. Recitals of organ music combined with museum tours will constitute a unique event which will not be offered anywhere else. The event participants will have an opportunity of listening to pipe organ music, learning about the achievements of the Academy of Music in Katowice and seeing the unique museum exhibits, iconography and documents devoted to these special instruments.

Annually, approximately 8 musical recitals with the new pipe organ are planned.

GRADUATION CONCERTS OF STUDENTS OF THE ACADEMY OF MUSIC

Graduation concerts are an opportunity of discovering the works of different composers coming from different epochs as well as songs written for various instruments and voices. The graduation candidates will present their own interpretation of selected musical works.

“YOUNG ACADEMY OF MUSIC”

“The Young Academy of Music” will be aimed at schools of music in the Silesian Province. These classes will concern topics not included in the school curriculum, covering early music, church music, contemporary music, conducting, the specifics of working at an orchestra as well as methods for combatting stage fright.  The classes will also feature individual consultations of pupils with academic lecturers.

“ACADEMY FOR PRESCHOOL CHILDREN”

“The Academy for Preschool Children” will be aimed at children between 2.5 and 6 years old. These classes will have a positive effect on developing sensitivity and music experiences of young children and will enable to shape the child’s interest in music. Owing to the fact of underlining the values of music and traditional folk events, children will also learn to respect tradition. Active participation in classes on rituals will enable kids to better understand the idea of traditional folk music.

Wydarzenia artystyczno-kulturalne o zasięgu regionalnym, krajowym i międzynarodowym

The redeveloped auditorium will offer numerous events:

• concerts presenting artists from selected countries and epochs,
• guitar musical evenings,
• vocal and instrumental workshops, concerts within the scope of conferences and academic sessions,
• performances of students and lecturers of the Academy of Music as well as international guests,
• early music concerts,
• holiday concerts and many more.