- titular professor, holding a position of associate professor at The Stanislaw Moniuszko Academy of Music in Gdansk

- the Artistic Director of the Gdansk Ensemble of Early Music - Cappella Gedanensis.

Academic, didactic and artistic activities

Academic career

Born 10.06.1948 in Bydgoszcz, where she graduated from Musical High School in 1967. After graduating with flying colours from Composition and Theory of Music Faculty (Theory section) of Academy of Music in Gdansk, she received her Master of Arts degree in 1972, and took a job as an assistant lecturer.

In 1980 she gained a doctor’s degree in Surdologopaedics on the Humanities department of University of Maria Curie-Sklodowska in Lublin. Doctoral thesis concerned Research of musical pitch hearing among hearing-impaired people, and practical application of this research.

In 1981 she founded the Gdansk Ensemble of Early Music - Cappella Gedanensis, and since 01.04.1992 she is employed by the President of Gdansk as the Artistic Director in then newly appointed cultural institution of Cappella Gedanensis.

In 1990 she graduated with distinction from postgraduate studies on the faculty of Vocal and Acting (Vocal Pedagogy section) of Karol Lipinski Academy of Music in Wroclaw.

In 1995 she realized a registration and conferment procedure for the second degree in Arts, and she gained second degree qualification in Musical Art of Conducting the Vocal and Vocal-Instrumental Ensembles.

Since 1997 she is holding a position of associate professor.

In 2001 (12.12.2001) she received academic title of Professor of Musical Arts.

She was appointed the post of dean of the faculty of Composition and Theory of Music for two terms during 1999-2005 (01.10.1999-31.08.2005).

Since 2006 she holds the position of director of the Department of Ear Training of the Institute of Theory of Music in the Academy of Music in Gdansk.

Subjects lectured

Ear training, Methodology of ear training, Voice emission, Cantata and oratorio ensembles (The Stanislaw Moniuszko Academy of Music in Gdansk).

Visiting lectures at other Polish Universities

• University of M.C.Sklodowska in Lublin (Voice emission lectures at Logopaedics Faculty – 1980-1981)
• Gdansk University – Voice emission lectures at Logopaedics specialization
• The K.Szymanowski Academy of Music in Katowice – open lecture, concerning Vocal technique and interpretation of early music (14.03.2002).
• The F.Chopin Academy of Music in Warsaw (in the academic year 2004/2005 lectures on Methodology of ear training for Postgraduate Studies of Pedagogy of Ear Training).
• The F.Chopin Academy of Music in Warsaw (in the academic year 2004/2005 lectures on Methodology of ear training for Postgraduate Studies of Pedagogy of Ear Training).

Academic and didactic activities

Academic interests encompass issues of ear training, vocal pedagogy and interpretation of renaissance, baroque and early classical music. The result of these interests is a number of publications on pedagogy of ear training and vocal pedagogy in national and foreign prints (among other - methodology textbook Linear hearing training. From tonality to atonality, AM Gdansk 2000).

Moreover, she authored a number of academic articles (among other – A work with students on duophonic atonal dictation. Music dictation in research and methodology, The Academy of Music in Lodz 2004, pp.77-91).

In her academic and pedagogic practice she also participates in debates and academic and methodological conferences: 3rd academic and methodological solfeggio conference of Silesian region (1997); for pedagogues of ear training in F.Nowowiejski Music School in Szczecin (2001); for music schools teachers of Gdansk region in Music Schools of 1st and 2nd degree (Gdansk 2001); presentation of the original method and textbook, Ear training in the process of school education, selected methodological issues (2006).

She is a supervisor of master’s theses on the first faculty and she is also an internal reviewer of master’s theses and publications of CEA. She is a member of Intercollegiate Department of Ear Training with its seat in The F.Chopin Academy of Music in Warsaw..

She inspects assistant lecturers’ classes and she controls the academic research works of The Department of Ear Training of The Academy of Music in Gdansk.

Since 2003 she is a member of a jury of National Solfeggio Competition for music schools of the 2nd degree (Bielsko-Biala 2003, 2005, 2007).

Since May 2008 Alina Kowalska-Pinczak is a full professor.

Artistic activities

The founder and creator of the Gdansk Ensemble of Early Music Cappella Gedanensis specializes in the interpretations of Renaissance and Baroque music and especially she focuses on continuing the tradition of Town Councillors Cappella which was established in 16th century in Gdansk. Cappella Gedanensis is a professional vocal-instrumental ensemble of Baroque make-up. They perform on a regular basis in Poland and abroad, they make CD records and they also beautify with their presence important public events in Gdansk.

Since 2001 the group conducted by Alina Kowalska-Pinczak performed over six hundred concerts. They collaborated with such big names as Reinhard Goebel (Musica Antiqua Köln -2001), Wanda Wilkomirska (2001, 2002, 2003, 2004), K.A. Kulka (2004-2007), Mirel Jancovici Vc (2001, 2002), Andriej Bielow - Vno (2004), Roman Jablonski - Vc (2005), Bozena Harasimowicz-Haas - soprano (continuous collaboration), Takashi Yamamoto - piano (prizewinner of the 15th International F.Chopin Piano Competition in Warsaw - 2007), Lukasz Dlugosz - flute (prizewinner of the ARD Competition in Munich – 2007).

Cappella have in their repertoire the world-famous pieces of music literature – instrumental and solo compositions as well as great vocal-instrumental works (among other: G.F. Haendel, Messiah – performed in 2007; A. Vivaldi, Gloria, Magnificat, Dixit Dominus; J. S. Bach, St.John’s Passion, St.Matthew’s Passion, Weinachtsoratorium, and numerous cantatas; W.A. Mozart, Coronation Mass; F. Schubert, Mass in G Major, and other).

The group conducted by prof.dr Alina Kowalska-Pinczak have also made some first performances. They took part in numerous significant national and international music festivals. They gave several concerts in The National Philharmonic Hall, in the Royal Castle in Warsaw and in the Silesian Magnate Castle in Pszczyna.

Prof.dr Alina Kowalska-Pinczak works with the Artistic Education Centre at the Ministry of Culture as a jury member at national solfeggio competitions and as an internal reviewer of academic publications on ear training. She was also appointed by the Ministry of Culture to give lectures at the Postgraduate Study of Pedagogy of Ear Training in the Academy of Music in Warsaw.

Fist Performances

Music festivals

(discography)

Cappella Gedanensis conducted by Alina Kowalska-Pinczak have made numerous recordings published throughout the span of their career:

• 30 CDs,
• 2 analogue records (LPs),
• 1 cassette with music of English Renaissance. renesansu.

Work as a juror

• Juror of the competition for Gdansk’s bugle call (2001).
• Juror of preliminary elimination rounds in Pomorskie Province for 25th,26th,27th and 28th National Festival of Junior Early Music Groups Schola Cantorum in Kalisz (2002-2006).
• Juror of 3rd-8th Metropolitan Festival of Religious Song in Jastarnia (2001-2007).
• Juror of The International Violin Competition being a part of 7th and 8th Gdansk Spring of Music Festival in 2005 and Lotos Mozart Prize in 2006.
• Juror of The International Choral Competition Mundus Cantat in Sopot (2006).

Honours, awards and distinctions (2001-2007)

Associations and committees membership

Vocalists

Instrumentalists

The founder and creator of Cappella Gedanensis is prof.dr Alina Kowalska-Pinczak, pedagogue, vocalist and former dean of Composition and Theory of Music Faculty at The Academy of Music in Gdansk. She has been awarded many prizes and honours, among other: by the Minister of Culture and Arts, by the President of Gdansk, she received Pomeranian Arts Award for career achievement (2000), Medal of National Education (2002), Person of Merit in Culture – Gloria Artis (2007). She also received titles of Radio Personality of the Year (2005) and Woman of Success (2008) by the readers poll of Twoj Wieczor weekly. She is the author of numerous academic publications concerning ear training, special pedagogy and vocalism. The Ensemble of Early Music Cappella Gedanensis was given a status of cultural institution in 1992. The institution was appointed by the Gdansk City Council after eleven years of group’s artistic activity.

The beginnings of the group date back to 1981. Cappella Gedanensis, corresponding to the rich musical heritage of ancient Gdansk, continue the tradition of Town Councillors Cappella which was established in 16th century. Gedanensis perform researched and published masterpieces of Gdansk music.

Group’s repertoire encompasses works of Gdansk composers such as: F. de Rivulo, P. Siefert, C. Fórster, C. Bűthner, Ch. Werner, N. Zangius, J.V. Meder, T.A. Volckmar, M.D. Freislich, J.B.Ch. Freislich and also J.Th. Roemhildt. Beside Gdansk heritage the group also perform great works of oratorio and cantata by G.F. Händel, J.S. Bach, A. Vivaldi, G.B. Pergolesi, W.A.Mozart, F. Schubert, J. Haydn. Part of this extensive artistic output was published on records – LPs and CDs (28CD in total).

Two of the group’s records gained status of a platinum disc – A.Vivaldi, The Four Seasons (2000) and Carols – The New Year at The Holy Father’s (2002). The record of L.Boccherini’s Stabat Mater featuring A.Tomaszewska was nominated for Fryderyk Award in 2008.

Cappella have been performing nearly all over the world – in USA, China, Israel and most of European countries. They took part in numerous international festivals, among other: WDR Radio Festival in Herne and Schwabisch Gmünd (Spalt, Germany), Sacred Music Festival in Abu Gosh (Israel), Wratislavia Cantans Festival, Early Music Festival (Brussels), Baroque Music Festival (Germany, Lithuania, Poland), Royal Music Festival (Stockholm), Choral Music Festival (Bremen).

The group performed also before the Holy Father John Paul II and they took part in significant historic events in presence of presidents and monarchs of Europe. The scope of Cappella’s activities is quite broad, among other things – school hearings and promotion of young musicians. They also collaborate with eminent artists such as: Gail Gilmore, Mirel Iancovici, Wanda Wilkomirska, Konstanty Andrzej Kulka, Roman Jabłonski, Takashi Yamamoto (winner of the 3rd prize of the International F.Chopin Piano Competition in Warsaw 2005), Vadim Brodski, Konstanty Wilenski, Bozena Harasimowicz, Lukasz Dlugosz (winner of the ARD Competition in Munich), Anatoli Kogan.

Cappella realized collaborative projects with Reinhard Goebel (Musica Antiqua Köln), Berlin Philharmonic Quintet, Sigiswald Kuijken Trio and Capilla Flamenca Group. Gedanensis occasionally perform under outstanding conductors such as: Tadeusz Wojciechowski, Tadeusz Wicherek, Michal Dworzynski, Kai Bumann and Wolfgang Helbich. In 2004 Cappella Gedanensis along with Gdansk City Council initiated a cycle of concerts called Music in the new Town Hall. Promotion of young talent. Young artists, scholarship holders and winners of President of Gdansk Awards have the chance to perform there. Recordings of young artists and their teachers’ achievements are published on records as part of Golden Collection of Gdansk Talent project.

Presentation of the youngest generation of artists who are successful in national and international competitions, introduces the cultural achievements of Gdansk and her citizens to the public. Beside Gdansk music or Polish and European baroque, there appear new pieces in Cappella’s repertoire, aiming to satisfy the expectations and needs of the audience.

Diverse performing style indicates the direction of development of Cappella who, apart from specialization in baroque music, continue the tradition, through expanding the repertoire with the works of contemporary composers living in Gdansk (or who are artistically inspired by the city). Collaborations with eminent artists is a source of new and rich experiences which are in turn evidently influential for creating significant works of culture.

Beside concerts and recordings, the group also realized poetry & music shows such as: Cantata for the birthday of King August III together with Wojciech Misiuro’s Theatre of Expression, and Catharsis, Solidarity with the history and tradition, Signs of Time - all three directed by Wieslaw Janasz.

The Ensemble received many awards and honourable mentions, among other: Silver Medal of the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage – For Merit in Culture - Gloria Artis, St.Wojciech’s Medal of Gdansk City Council, St.Albert’s Award, title of Reliable Enterprise. Cappella Gedanensis is a winner of Gazeta Wyborcza Trojmiasto newspaper’s readers poll for Storm of the Year, in category of classical music.