In September 2011, on the initiative of Roberto Skolmowski, then director of the Podlasie Opera and Philharmonic in Białystok, auditions were held for a children’s choir. Over 100 children were selected through auditions. Ewa Barbara Rafałko became the conductor of the OiFP Children’s Choir. The essence behind the creation of the ensemble was, in line with its educational objectives, to promote musical culture and develop the sensitivity and emotionality of children and young people. The main objective was to prepare the vocal group for all kinds of stage, symphonic and oratorio events in the artistic activities of the institution.
The first and most spectacular project undertaken by the choir was its participation in the musical Korczak by Ch. Williams, the premiere of which graced the inauguration of the new building of the Podlasie Opera and Philharmonic – European Art Centre in Białystok (29 September 2012). The young choristers made their debut as singing actors in ensemble scenes, but also as soloists. The musical was prepared in Polish and in English. In addition to the performances, concert versions of the show were also presented: in Ciechanowiec (September 2012), in Sachsenhausen, Germany (September 2012) and in Białystok (5th anniversary of the Podlasie Opera and Philharmonic, September 2017).
The ensemble has performed in over 100 symphonic and chamber concerts organised in the halls of the Podlasie Opera and Philharmonic, Christmas carol concerts and other special events in Poland and abroad. Together with the Choir and Orchestra of the Podlasie Opera and Philharmonic, the Children’s and Youth Choir has performed the following works, among others: L. Bernstein’s Symphony No. 3 Kaddish, Orff’s Carmina Burana, Łukaszewski’s Symphony No. 4 Symphony on the Mercy of God, Mendelssohn-Bartholdy’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Mahler’s Symphony No. 3, and Rutter’s Mass of the Children. The boys’ choir performed in a concert version of Puccini’s opera Tosca. The album Symphony on the Mercy of God by P. Łukaszewski, featuring soloists A. Mikołajczyk-Niewiedział and M. Nerkowski, as well as the Choir, the Children’s and Youth Choir and the Orchestra of the Podlasie Opera and Philharmonic under the baton of W. Michniewski, received the Fryderyk Award in the category: Album of the Year – Contemporary Music (2017).
The Children’s and Youth Choir participated in nine premieres of musical works. These were pieces composed for large ensembles – the musical Korczak by Ch. Williams (Polish premiere in September 2012, conducted by T. Płatek), Symphony No. 4 Symphony on the Mercy of God by P. Łukaszewski (June 2016, conducted by W. Michniewski), Pluton, Odnowiciel by C. Matthews (June 2016, conducted by P. Kotla), as well as works written especially for him – the anthem Biebrza by M. Lorenc (20th anniversary of the Biebrza National Park, May 2014, conducted by E. Rafałko), Stabat Mater by M. Nagnajewicz (04.2019, conducted by E. Rafałko), Brzechwa Muzycznie by M. Nagnajewicz (10.2019, conducted by E. Rafałko), Mała Kantata Wielkopostna Panie, Ty widzisz… by M. Nagnajewicz (04.2022, conducted by E. Rafałko), Mała Kantata Bożonarodzeniowa (Little Christmas Cantata) by M. Nagnajewicz (17 December 2023, conducted by E. Rafałko). The ensemble also took part in the premiere performance of Sztambuch syberyjski-impresje (Siberian Album – Impressions) at the Siberian Museum (17 September 2023, directed by A. Dwulit).
In addition, the choir members took part in performances by the Podlasie Opera and Philharmonic – the musicals Fiddler on the Roof by J. Bock, directed by R. Skolmowski, the Polish premiere of the musical Doctor Zhivago by L. Simon, directed by J. Szydłowski, and the concert version of the musical Pinocchio by Sz. Godziemba-Trytka, directed by J. Schabowska. The ensemble performed in Verdi’s La Traviata, directed by R. Skolmowski, Bizet’s Carmen, directed by B. Redo-Dobber, Puccini’s La Bohème, directed by M. Sartova, Turandot by G. Puccini, directed by M. Weiss, and Pagliacci by R. Leoncavallo, directed by M. Znaniecki. It also took part in the operetta The Gypsy Baron by J. Strauss (son), directed by M. Sartova, staged at the OiFP.
The OiFP Children’s and Youth Choir has performed with the Lublin Federation of Bards, the ‘Sinfonia Academica’ orchestra, the Sound’n’Grace ensemble, Mieczysław Szcześniak, and the Audiofeels ensemble. The choir participated in recordings for TV Białystok, TV Trwam, and TV Odeska 1. The ensemble performed at regular events held in Białystok: Papal Days, the Podlasie Festival of Science and Art, Marian Days, and Christian Culture Days. It has given concerts at the Children’s Clinical Hospital and for the Białystok Hospice. The Children’s Choir’s repertoire includes classical, sacred and secular works, as well as light music.
In 2017, the choir recorded its first album, Świąteczne życzenia (Christmas Wishes), featuring Christmas songs in innovative and original arrangements by M. Nagnajewicz and A. Makal. In 2021, the choir released another album with a Passion repertoire. Composed by M. Nagnajewicz, the album Stabat Mater i Panie, Ty widzisz… (Stabat Mater and Lord, You See…) contains songs related to the Lenten anticipation of the joyful Alleluia.
In May 2025, the choir won the Special Award at the 44th International Festival of Orthodox Church Music ‘Hajnówka 2025’ for popularising Orthodox church music among children and young people in the region.
The Children’s and Youth Choir of the Podlasie Opera and Philharmonic is an ensemble that creates opportunities for not only musical but also emotional development. The passion that young people find, the relationships they form, the skills and experiences they acquire, and the fact that they often continue their musical adventure at art colleges, make it unique.

Children Choir members:
Julia Abijska
Adam Bańkowski
Maja Błażko
Klara Biernacka
Honorata Borowska
Zofia Borowska
Aleksandra Bublej
Anastazja Bura
Helena Chmielewska
Robert Domin
Julia Dubowska
Magdalena Dziełak
Angelika Falkowska
Marlena Goworko
Maria Weronika Jabłońska
Olgierd Jabłoński
Ksenia Jasiuk
Lena Jasiuk
Anna Kaczan
Melania Kadziszewska
Zofia Kitlas
Blanka Konopacka
Zuzanna Kowalczuk
Anna Kulikowska
Ewa Lachowska
Amelia Litwińczuk
Zofia Łapińska
Karolina Łukaszuk
Hanna Łupińska
Amelia Malinowska
Magdalena Michalak
Kornelia Mieszków
Sara Mieszków
Magdalena Nurczyk
Oliwia Ostasiewicz
Magdalena Przestrzelska
Maciej Przybyła
Aleksandra Zofia Sadowska
Maciej Seweryński
Melaniia Shumeiko
Magdalena Słodownik
Stanisław Sobiech
Maja Sobolewska
Zofia Sokołowska
Zofia Stefanowicz
Amelia Szeps
Zuzanna Szpak-Litman
Karina Szymczukiewicz
Wiktor Szymczukiewicz
Klara Tomkiel
Aleksandra Witek
Urszula Róża Wysocka
Natalia Zalewska
Gabriel Zalewski
Arkadiusz Żemierowski

Discography:
Świąteczne życzenia (Christmas Wishes) (2017)
Stabat Mater. Panie, Ty widzisz… (Stabat Mater and Lord, You See…) (2021)

Contact:
Children Choir Coordinator – Magdalena Gładkowska
e-mail: magdalena.gladkowska@oifp.eu

ORGANISATION OF ARTISTIC WORK AT THE OiFP:
Phone: 85 30 67 518