KU chamber choir to perform on world stage in Poland and Slovakia

For University of Kansas junior Brody Shulda, performing internationally with the KU chamber choir was a transformational and moving experience. Shulda, a music education major, traveled to Krakow, Poland, in June 2025 to compete at the International Krakow Choir Festival with the KU chamber choir, which won first place in the mixed choir and sacred music categories.  

“The performance gave me the experience of a level of focus I don’t believe I’ve reached before, and the release of emotions when we finished was amazing,” Shulda said. “Some of us were crying, some of us were dancing outside because it was a beautiful day, but we all knew that what we put out on that stage was the best we could do in the months of preparation we had.”

The choir also won the Grand Prix, qualifying it for the finals of the World Choir Championship, which will take place in Krakow as well in June 2026. The choir will compete against Grand Prix winners of the Japan, Taiwan and Italy international choir competitions.

This year, not only will the choir compete in the World Choir Championship, but it will also compete in the Voce Magna International Festival and Choir Art Competition in Zilinia, Slovakia, about a three-hour drive from Krakow.

With an additional international competition added to the itinerary, this year’s trip has even higher costs for lodging and travel expenses. Donor support plays a vital role in making sure students can participate fully in these once-in-a-lifetime experiences. 

“Funding for this event is challenging, given the fact that it was already a huge challenge to fund our trip last summer,” said Eduardo García-Novelli, professor of music and conducting and director of choral studies. “It is, indeed, a life-changing experience for everyone involved.”