Musica Sacra di Roma Announces its 2009 Grand Prix Winner

Choirs Gather in Rome to make a Musical Sign of Peace

The papal audience outside St. Peter's Basilica was one of the many highlights for singers and spectators during the 3rd edition of the choral festival, 'MUSICA SACRA A ROMA'. Along with 15,000 visitors, they sent out a signal for world peace with a prayer on St.Peter's Square and a competition which ran from 30 June to 4 July 2009 and featured sacred choral music of the highest standard.

The winner of the Grand Prix competition was the Swedish choir Kammerkören Sångkraft, conducted by Leif Åkesson. 11 choirs from seven nations came away with a total of seven gold and five silver diplomas. Yet again, this choir festival in Rome was characterised by first-class musical performances, unforgettable concerts in Rome's wonderful churches (including the Basilica San Crisogono and the church of Santa Maria in Trastevere) and a range of personal experiences.

The participating choirs from Bulgaria, Croatia, Austria, the Czech Republic, Portugal, Romania and Sweden performed in the following competition categories, which were adjudicated by an international jury: Sacred Music (open), Gospel-Spiritual, Contemporary Sacred Music, Sacred Vocal Polyphony A Capella and Sacred Music for Children's and Youth Choirs.

The international jury, made up of Colin Mawby (Ireland), Mons. Valentino Miserachs Grau (Italy), M. Renzo Cilia (Italy) and Dr. Katalin Kiss (Hungary), awarded gold diplomas and the title of category winner to the following choirs: Kammerkören Sångkraft from Sweden, conducted by Leif Åkesson (2) , Singakademie Graz from Austria, conducted by Maria Fürntratt (2), St. Matteus Kör from Sweden, conducted by Sonny Jansson and Divči Pěveckŷ Sbor SPgŜ Kroměřiž from the Czech Republic, conducted by Jan Ŝtěpánek.

The jury awarded a special prize to Divči Pěveckŷ Sbor SPgŜ Kroměřiž (Czech Republic). Singakademie Graz (Austria) was awarded a specially created prize in honour of the late Antoni Martorell I Miralles, who was the designated fifth member of the jury. The winner of the conductor's prize was Leif Åkesson (Sweden.)

View a list of the category winners. (PDF)