Conductor: Szymon Wyrzykowski
The Szczecin Technical University Choir was founded in November 1952 by the then student , Jan Szyrocki (born 29.12.1931), who went on to become a professor. He acted as the artistic director and conductor until the day of his death on 9.4.2003. The choir met with growing regard and, within a short time of its founding, became one of the best academic choirs in Poland, gaining numerous awards at home and abroad.
In the recognition of the professor’s achievements and to acknowledge his great contribution, the choir was dubbed after his great founder. For the upcoming years the role of conductor and artistic director was performed by Dr. R. Zieliński from the University of South Florida, USA(2003-2005). In the years 2005-2006 the role was taken over by Dr. R. I. Drozd from Słupsk. In October 2006 Szymon Wyrzykowski, the professor’s reliable student, was appointed to the post of artistic manager and conductor.
The choir promotes Szczecin university, the city and the region by appearances at important cultural events. For many years Polish TV and Radio have been recording and broadcasting the choir's performances and following its progress. Numerous performances of pieces by Polish and international composers have also been recorded and broadcast by a number of foreign radio stations. In addition the choir has recorded several CDs, long playing records and cassettes. For its activity in the field of culture, the choir has received many awards, distinctions and medals from both national and regional authorities.
The latest choir awards:
- 1st place in Trnava (Slovakia) choral festival, 2007,
- Grand Prix of the 4th International Festival “Rybnik Choral Autumn” (Poland) 2008,
- Grand Prix of the Choral Festival Szamotuły (Poland) 2008,
- 1st place in the Choir's Tournament LEGNICA CANTAT 41st (Poland) 2010,
- Special Prize of the Name of Francisco Vallejos, “for the best interpretation of popular habanera” in 56th International Choir Festival of Habaneras and Polyphony, Torrevieja (Spain) 2010,
- Grand Prix, 1st Prize and The Prize for The Best Conductor of Christmas Carols Competition in Chełmno (Poland), 2012,
- Grand Prix, 1st Prize, The Prize for The Best Conductor, Prize for The Best Performing of Kashubian song, International Choral Competition, Rumia (Poland), 2012
- Gold Diploma, The Price for The Best Performing Contemporary Song, The Price of Felix Nowowiejski, Barczewo (Poland), 2015
- 1st prize – POP music category, 1st prize – SACRA music, 2nd prize – FOLK music, 5TH International Choir Festival and Competition „Canco Mediterrania”, Barcelona, Lloret de Mar (Spain), 2015
- Gold Diploma, 4th International Passion Music Festival, Szczecin (Poland), 2016
- Gold Diploma, National Festival Of Contemporary Choral Music, Gdańsk (Poland), 2016
- Gold Diploma (for CHAPS Female Voices), 22nd Interntional Festival of Choirs "Rainbow" St. Petersburg, Russia 29-31.03.2019
The choir's current name is The Jan Szyrocki Memorial Choir of West Pomeranian University of Technology, Szczecin (Poland).