It is the oldest male academic choir in Poland and one of the oldest in Europe. It was founded in November 1878. During 129 years of its existence it was twice officially dissolved (in the years 1939-45 and because of Communist repressions 1949-57). The choir is permanently present in Kraków’s cultural life, it performs during all University ceremonies: inauguration of the academic year (1st Oct.), Almae Matris Iagiellonicae (12th May), conferment of doctorates honoris causa upon eminent scholars. The choir sang nine times for Pope John Paul II (1979, 1983, 1989, 1991, 1997, 1998, 2001, 2002, 2003) in Vatican, Castel Gandolfo and in Kraków. It participates in the welcoming of eminent guests of the Jagiellonian University (e.g. F. Foch, S. Wiesenthal, K. Penderecki, F. Mitterand, G. Andreotti, G. Bush).
The choir has in its repertoire secular and sacred songs, form Renaissance to the contemporary (M. Gomółka, G.P. da Palestrina, D. Bortniański, F. Schubert, J. Brahms, W. Lachmann, A. Koszewski, J. Świder, H.M. Górecki). The ensemble traveled 52 times to give concerts, take part in prestigious choral competitions, e.g. in Budapest (1937), Vittoria (1983), Arezzo (1989), Peskara (1997), Międzyzdroje (1997) and Madrid (2007).
Kraków Academic Choir of the Jagiellonian University recorded 6 CDs, out of which “Oremus pro Pontifice nostro Johanne Paulo II”, dedicated and handed in to John Paul II (1998) “on the occasion of 20th anniversary of pontificate from the 120-year old Jagiellonian University Choir”, is regarded as the most important. The two latest CDs (Beethoven Symphony No. 9 and Mozart Coronation Mass) were recorded with academic choirs from Wrocław and Warsaw and with academic orchestra from Heidelberg.
Since 1995 the choir has been member of European Federation of Young Choirs “Europa Cantat” that has its seat in Bonn. In cooperation with the EuropaChorAkademie from Mainz (Germany) the choir participated in the concerts, during which Mahler Symphony No. 8 was performed in Germany, France and Austria (1998) and Requiem for a Young Poet by B.A. Zimmermann was performed in Freiburg and in the famous Carnegie Hall in New York (1999). From October 2007, the Choir has been led by Zygmunt Magiera. For over 19 years the function of general director of the choir has been held by Wiesław Kudzia, alumni and faculty member of the Jagiellonian University, initiator and organizer of artistic activity (including CD recordings) aw well as of numerous concerts and tours in Poland and abroad.
Since autumn 2006 – apart from the traditional male choir, there has been also women’s choir at the Jagiellonian University. Both ensembles perform independently, but also – as mixed choir – they give concerts under the baton of Włodzimierz Siedlik, artistic director of the Polish Radio Choir in Kraków. Both choirs recorded material for two CDs which are now being prepared to be released. They will contain Christmas carols and works of Henryk Mikołaj Górecki. In November 2007 the women’s choir sang in Lithuania, and in December both choirs gave concerts in Madrid (conductors: W. Siedlik and A. Gertner). During the International Christmas Festival they presented works of Polish composers (Gomółka, Górecki, Świder) as well as Polish Christmas carols.

“Psalmodia” Choir of the Pontifical Academy of Theology in Kraków
The ensemble was created in 1988, at the Liturgical Institute of the PAT Theology Department under the leadership of conductor Włodzimierz Siedlik. The choir had its debut at the inauguration of academic year 1988/89 and since then it has actively participated in the life of the School, the city and the church performing during important ceremonies. Its repertoire covers works of Polish and foreign composers of all historical periods. As it was decreed by The Great Chancellor of the Pontifical Academy of Theology, H. Exc. Card. Franciszek Macharski, on 31 May 1996 it became the Choir of the Pontifical Academy of Theology in Kraków. The choir took part in Organ Recitals in Tyniec, cooperated with the Polish Radio Choir in Kraków as well as with Polish Television. “Psalmodia” also participated in the organization of papal pilgrimages in Kraków (1991, 1997, 1999, 2002).
Since the academic year 2001/02, apart from the Church Music Division students (a unit created in 2001 at the PAT Church History Department) the members of the choir are alumni and students of other PAT departments as well as of other Kraków universities. The Choir’s curator is Fr. Dr. Robert Tyrała.