A concert by renowned alumni and a grand piano as a gift. Vitebsk Music College named after I. Solertinsky celebrated its 100th anniversary
The key to the musical instrument was presented to the college director Anatoly Gretsky during a celebratory evening dedicated to this significant date by the Chairman of the Regional Council of Deputies, Vladimir Terentyev.
The honor of being the first to play the new grand piano, acquired with budget funds, was given to a former college graduate, laureate of numerous international competitions, and Doctor of Art History at the Royal Conservatory of Music in Canada, Andrey Manulik.
The musician chose Pyotr Tchaikovsky's "December" from the cycle "The Seasons" for a reason: it is in this month that his alma mater is holding celebrations for its centenary anniversary.
The People's Conservatory in Vitebsk was opened in October 1918 and became one of the first in the country. Nikolai Malko, a student of the renowned Russian composers N. Rimsky-Korsakov and N. Tcherepnin, was invited from St. Petersburg to head the educational institution. He also became the chief conductor of the Vitebsk State Symphony Orchestra. Incidentally, this ensemble gave a grand concert one hundred years ago to mark the opening of the conservatory.
The orchestra, recreated in 2012, also opened the anniversary program, performing the symbolic composition "Time, Forward!" by Sviridov together with the college's wind ensemble.
It sounded as a tribute to the founders of one of the oldest musical education institutions, the teachers who nurtured true professionals, and the mentors of the current students.
Graduates of the Petrograd Conservatory who came to Vitebsk, including E. Bay, V. Meriin, D. Gershevich, E. Zavelev, N. Dubasov, and others, inscribed their names in the college's history. Honored teachers of the republic E. Polishchuk, Ya. Nikitin, and Honored Artist of Belarus T. Shafranova made a huge contribution to the development of Belarusian musical pedagogy and culture.
The educational institution has undergone several reorganizations, passing through the stages of a 3-level music school, a music college, and a school. In 1992, the music college was named after Ivan Sollertinsky, an outstanding musical figure of the 20th century and a native of Vitebsk. Since January 2010, it has held the status of a college.
Throughout its existence, the institution has graduated over five thousand specialists. Many graduates have become soloists and leaders of renowned orchestral and choral ensembles, as well as highly qualified teachers in higher and secondary educational institutions in Belarus and abroad.
Among them are the People's Artist of the Republic, Professor, Artistic Director and Chief Conductor of the I. Zhinovich National Academic Orchestra, Mikhail Kozinets; soloist of the Mariinsky Theatre of St. Petersburg, Olga Legkova; soloist of the N. Osipov National Academic Orchestra of Folk Instruments, lecturer at the Gnessin Russian Academy of Music, Ekaterina Mochalova, who is referred to as the "first domra of Russia."
They all came to Vitebsk to celebrate the alma mater's anniversary and perform on their home stage, which opened the way for them into the great world of musical art.
The concert of renowned graduates became a gift to the educational institution, where equally talented youth study today. For example, over the past two years, more than 70 college students have become laureates and diploma winners of various creative competitions. Three orchestral ensembles hold the honorary title of "People's."
The entire current year at the college was marked by the anniversary – meetings with graduates of different years, master classes, musical salons, and reporting concerts by creative ensembles were held.
The final chord was the festive concert, during which veterans and the best teachers were honored, and gifts were presented. A congratulatory message signed by the Chairman of the Regional Executive Committee Nikolai Sherstnev and the Chairman of the Regional Council of Deputies Vladimir Terentyev was read.
The college and its director Anatoly Gretsky were awarded honorary diplomas of the Regional Executive Committee. Teachers Alina Bykova and Igor Koshelev were awarded the badge of honor of the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Belarus for their contribution to the development of national culture. A number of teachers were recognized by the Ministry of Culture, the Regional Council of Deputies, the Department of Culture of the Regional Executive Committee, and the Vitebsk City Executive Committee.
The epilogue to the celebrations will be a performance at the Philharmonic Hall on December 13 by the I. Zhinovich National Academic Orchestra – this is a concert-gift from graduate Mikhail Kozinets.