Academic Choir France Prešeren, Kranj
History
Established in a high school in Kranj by its first conductor Matevž Fabjan in 1969, the choir was initially known as the Academic Chamber Choir. It performed at festivals and competitions in Italy, Austria, France, Germany, the Netherlands, the Czech Republic, Greece, Spain, Denmark, Israel and Sweden. Under the guidance of Tomaž Faganel, its conductor from 1981 to 1991 and from 1996 to 2000, the choir has four times been the laureat at the Slovene choir competition in Maribor.From 2000 the choir is successfully conducted by Primož Kerštanj.
Competitions and prizes
In 2003 and 2005 the choir received the second place prize at the Naša pesem Choir Competition in Maribor. At the International Choir Competition in Bremen (Germany) in 2004, it received prizes in the category of gospel music and a first place prize in 2005 at the International Choir Competition Svatski pisni in Olomouc (Czech Republic). In the year 2010 the choir has performed in Helsinki (Finland) and has taken part in the International choir competition in St. Petersburg (Russia).
Programme
The choirs repertoire mostly consists of Slovene and foreign folk songs as well as gospel music. Its varied program also includes some sacred and classical works and adaptations of musicals such as Cats and The Phantom of the Opera as well as adaptations of pop songs such as Queens Bohemian Rhapsody. To commemorate the choirs fortieth anniversary a CD was released containing a compilation of Slovene folk songs.