As we continue looking at the esteemed judges of Canada's Top Choirs, let us introduce you to world-renowned conductor Dr. Jakub Martinec.
Jakub Martinec is an assistant professor of choral conducting and director of choirs at the Memorial University of Newfoundland in Canada. His research focuses on a comparison of European and North American perspectives on choral conducting as well as investigations of early Czech choral literature, and pedagogical strategies for teaching adolescent male singers.
Born in the Czech Republic, he was the founding artistic director of the renowned Czech Boys Choir, Martinec has recorded for national TV and Radio in the Czech Republic, and has directed on numerous CDs and DVDs - his recording of Britten's A Ceremony of Carols received a Recording of the Month award by the London-based Classical Music Web in 2004. Martinec has performed with eminent orchestras, ensembles, and musical personalities in some of the world’s most famous concert halls and cathedrals, including Meistersingerhalle, Nürnberg, Germany (2005, 2009, 2011), Grace Cathedral in San Francisco, USA (2004), Winspear Hall in Edmonton, Canada (2006), Massey Hall in Toronto, Canada (2012), the Pantheon and the Basilica Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome for the leaders of the Vatican (2009, 2010), Truro Cathedral, UK (2013) and regularly at the Rudolfinum Dvorak Hall and Smetana Hall in Prague. With his choirs, he performed the opening concert of choral cycle of the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra (2006), and has appeared at numerous international music festivals including The Prague Spring Festival (2004, 2005), European Festival of Youth Choirs "Giuseppe Zelioli" (2003, 2012), AmericaFest International Festival for Boys’ & Mens’ Choirs including the VIth World Choral Symposium in Minneapolis (2002), Festival d'Ambronay (2006), Mitte Europa (2008, 2009, 2013), and the highly acclaimed World Festival of Singing for Men and Boys (Prague, Hradec Kralove, 2004, 2008). Dr. Martinec is also often asked to be a guest clinician, adjudicator and presenter, e.g. Cornwall Male Choral Festival, UK (2013), Pemulwuy, Australia (2014), European Festival of Youth Choirs "Giuseppe Zelioli", Italy (2014), Podium, Canada (2014).
In 2020, Martinec was one of the recipients of the Top 25 Canadian Immigrant Awards of 2020
To find more information about Canada's Top Choirs and how to enter, please visit https://www.feelitlive.com/canadas-top-choirs