Curriculum vitae
assoc. prof . Milan Kolena ArtD.
Milan Kolena – conductor and Art Director of choir Apollo, conductor of Schola Gregoriana Bratislavensis. At the Zilina Conservatory he studied piano, singing and choir conducting. After graduating with a degree in Choral Conducting at the University of Musical Arts (VSMU) in Bratislava under the tutelage of Prof. Peter Hradil, he continued his studies in sacred music at VSMU. .He also continued his studies of Gregorian Chant with Prof. J. Kohlhaufl at the Universität für Musik und Darstellende Kunst in Vienna where he is the author of the first Slovak professional publication on Gregorian chant: ”Súčasné smery v interpretácii gregorianskeho choralu” (Current Directions in Interpretation of Gregorian Chant). He actively cooperates in the interpretation of Gregorian chant with Prof. Dr. F.K. Prassl from Graz and Prof. Dr. J.B. Goschl from Munich.
Milan Kolena was an assistant with the Chlapčenský zbor choir (boys choir) in Bratislava and was conductor of the Spevácky zbor bratislavských učitelov (Bratislava Teachers Choir). He teaches choir conducting and Gregorian chant at VŠMU. Since 1998 Milan Kolena has been the Art Director of the International Sacred Music Choir Festival in Námestovo. Since 2006 he is the art director of several annual choir music festivals in Bratislava:
- International choir festival „Musica sacra“
- International choir festival „Slovakia Cantat“
- International festival of Advent and Christmas music
- International festival of Gregorian chant
- International youth music festival
He has toured many European countries with choir Apollo and has won several prizes in international competitions:
1998: The first place and a special award for style performance of the competition program at the International choir festival „Pražské dny sborového spěvu“ in Prague, Czech Republic
2002: Special award for excellent performance of Czech sacred music at the international choir competition “Jaro se Otvira” in Český Krumlov , Czech Republic
2005: Gold Medal, International choir competition “Svátky Písne Olomouc”, Czech Republic
He is active as jury member at national and international choral competitions in Czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia, Italy, Lithuania, Belgium, Russia. He performs workshops and seminars on vocal polyphony and Gregorian chant in foreign universities and festivals (Jihlava, Olomouc, Pecka, Bratislava, Námestovo, Banská Bystrica, Katowice, Kaunas, St. Petersburg, Moscow, Yekaterinburg).
In 2005 – 2007 the he was engaged with his Gregorian schola in recording of three Bratislava antiphonaries from the end of 15th century. The recordings have been released in CD in cooperation with Slovak national library in Martin and with University library in Bratislava. The recording was conducted as a part of UNESCO world project “World´s Memory” in Slovakia.
Basic information |
Date and place of birth: 23.5. 1965 in Námestovo Nationality: Slovak Marital status: maried, 3 children |
Experience |
Oct. 1998- present University of Performanig Arts, Bratislava, Department of composition and conducting, Section of Church music Assistant lecturer,
Sept. 1996- 2006 Church conservatory, Bratislava, Pedagogue
1993- present Mixed choir Apollo, Bratislava, Schola Gregoriana Bratislavensis Conductor and art director
1995- present International sacred music choir festival, Námestovo, Art director March and October 2002 Universität für Musik und darstellende Kunst in Graz, Austria Institut für Kirchenmusik und Orgel, Prof. F.K. Prassl Science cooperation in Gregorian chant withn the program AKTION ÖSTERREICH – SLOWAKEI 2006 – present International choir festival „Musica Sacra“ in Bratislava. International choir festival „ Slovakia Cantat“ in Bratislava International festival of Advent and Christmas music in Bratislava International festival of Gregorian chant in Bratislava International youth music festival in Bratislava Art director Member of international jury in choir festivals home and abroad (Czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia, Italy, Lithuania, Belgium, Russia). Workshops on interpretation of Gregorian chant and vocal polyphony choir festivals and universities home and abrad. (Jihlava, Olomouc, Pecka – Czech Republic, Bratislava, Námestovo, Banská Bystrica - Slovakia, Katowice – Poland, Kaunas- Lithuania, Moscow, St.Petersburg - Russia) |
Vzdelanie |
12. December 2001- graduation with doctor´s degree from the University of Performing Arts, Bratislava, Slovakia – specialisation: Choir conducting and Gregorian chant, - artist doctor /ArtD./ 1995-2000 University of Performing Arts, Bratislava, post-graduate study in Choir conducting and Gregorian chant 1996-2000 Universität für Musik und darstellende Kunst in Wien, Austria Gregorian chant study within the post-graduate study in Bratislava 1990-1994 University of Performing Arts, Bratislava, undergraduate study in Choir conducting 1983-1989 Conservatory in Žilina piano, singing, conducting |