18. Voices of Courage: Contemporary Ukrainian Choral Music

Oleksii Shamrytskyi

Conductor

Oleksii Shamrytskyi (he/him) is a representative of the modern Ukrainian choral conducting school and an active promoter of Ukrainian choral music in Europe. He graduated in 2011 from the Ukrainian National Tchaikovsky Academy of Music, where he later completed his postgraduate studies.

Since 2010, Shamrytskyi has served as the artistic director of the Sophia Chamber Choir, which under his leadership has become one of Ukraine’s leading professional chamber ensembles and an internationally-recognized choir. The choir regularly participates in major European festivals such as Beethovenfest Bonn and others, promoting Ukrainian repertoire and contemporary choral music across Europe. Under his leadership, the choir has achieved more than a dozen top awards at prestigious international competitions in Białystok, Debrecen, Tolosa, and elsewhere. In 2023, he became the first Ukrainian conductor to win the European Grand Prix in Debrecen, marking a significant milestone in his career.

Shamrytskyi regularly gives masterclasses in Ukraine and abroad, lectures at international choral festivals and workshops, and works with emerging choirs, focusing on interpretation, ensemble sound, and stylistic authenticity. He is also active as a jury member in international competitions.