Iwona Siewkowska rscj

Members of the choir

Members of the choir

Choir practice

The “Vigilamus” Youth Choir was started in September 1996 in the 25th Liceum of Poznań, where I also teach religion.

The Vigilamus Choir plays an important role in the life of the school. Its name says what should be the attitude of every young person.

    "Be vigilant!” – Pope John Paul the second said to young people in 1983.

    "Vigilamus” – is the answer of the choir.

We took part in the World Youth Days with the Pope in Rome 2000 and in Cologne in 2005

The Choir members of Vigilamus meet for rehearsal twice a week.

Although it is the school choir and the members have changed nearly every year, it is very flexible. The group takes part in concerts and festivals in Poland and abroad (Italy, Lithuania, the Czech Republic, Germany). We sing in churches during Mass, in school halls, and under the open sky. We perform in Poznań and in other cities. Our repertoire includes patriotic and religious songs, Christmas carols, poetry that has been set to music, and folk songs, which are very enjoyable.

In the nine years of its existence, “Vigilamus” has been very successful.

The Choir’s mportant achievements include prizes at the Polish Festival of Christmas Carols in Będzin, The Polish Festival of the Songs for Liturgy and Pilgrimage in Koniecpol – Częstochowa, the Polish Festival in Lodz, and the International Choir Festival of Christmas Carols in Prague.

The Choir also performed at a concert on the occasion of the first anniversary of Poland’s entrance to the European Union

In 2001, “Vigilamus” recorded an album on the occasion of the 5th anniversary of the choir’s founding. Other recordings include a CD for the 10th anniversary of the school (in 2003) and another CD of the concert of Christmas Carols performed in 2006.

I see my mission in the Society of the Sacred Heart as working with youth: Very often I reach for No.11 of the Constitutions,

    Saint Madeleine Sophie Barat chose to express this conviction through the service of education, especially of the young. Faithful to her inspiration, and, like her, open to new situations, we make her desire our own that people become ever more aware of truth, of love and of freedom.

Many times I have experienced that what is necessary is to show respect and, at the same time, to be aware of a need for leniency.... I am not afraid to ask a lot of my pupils, both in religion classes and in the choir. Working with teenagers requires cooperation, which encourages discipline and group responsibility.

We sing about love of God, of our homeland, of people and of home. Our songs praise the beauty of nature. I think the repertoire is very important. Our common trips and performances teach us how to work together and how to be kind and friendly to each other. Thanks to our shared activities, the members of the group become more and more responsible and creative.

We live according to John Paul’s words:

“You must ask a lot from yourselveseven though others do not.”

With pleasure we share with you a sample of our music, “Si ya hamba”.

Click here for the sample. 

Iwona Siewkowska rscj
Province of Poland