Choir "Bodra smyana"

Bodra smyana is the first Bulgarian children's choir to be worldwide famous. It initiated the Bulgarian children's choir singing. The choir was founded by the conductor and educator Boncho Bochev in the fall of 1946, as a direct successor of the Choir of Sofia's Nightingales, whose godfather is the maestro Dobri Hristov. His first concert was on January 1, 1947.The great conductor and music educator Boncho Bochev led the choir almost up until his death in 1975. Under his leadership, the choir received world recognition. In 1968 the choir won first prize in London, in the organized by radio "BBC" anonymous competition for best choral performance "Let's sing nations". In the 70s of the 20th century "Bodra smyana" has a particularly productive cooperation with the chamber composition "Sofia Soloists". Under the direction of conductor Vasil Kazandjiev both teams reap brilliant success in Bulgaria and abroad. For many years accompanist of the choir is Svetla Beshovishka that after the death of Liliana Bocheva is the conductor of the choir. From September 2010 the choir's conductor is Alexander Kochkov. Today the choir "Bodra smyana" is part of the National Palace of Children. Since its foundation over 2500 concerts have been performed, which involved over 7,000 children and more than 1,000 works by over 300 artists have been performed. (Photo: bodrasmyana.bg)