Dear Members of the Polish Choir “Symfonia” in Hamilton,
On the occasion of the 75th anniversary of your artistic activity, please accept my warmest congratulations and expressions of the highest respect and admiration.
Seventy-five years of uninterrupted choral work is an impressive testament to passion, dedication, and love for music and Polish culture. Over the decades, the “Symfonia” Choir has played—and continues to play—an exceptionally important role in the life of the Polish community in Canada, serving as a true ambassador of Polish heritage, tradition, and artistic values.
Particularly noteworthy are the Choir’s numerous international and overseas performances, including concerts in New York, Buffalo, Detroit, Toronto, and Hamilton, as well as appearances in Poland and Italy. These performances have made a significant contribution to promoting Polish culture and choral music beyond Poland’s borders.
An important chapter in the history of the “Symfonia” Choir was marked by its first awards at festivals and competitions organized by the Polish Singers Alliance of America, confirming the ensemble’s outstanding artistic level and the extraordinary commitment of its members.
For me personally, the opportunity to enjoy seven years of very fruitful collaboration with you as your conductor was a great honor and an unforgettable artistic experience. During that period, we expanded the ensemble, and the “Symfonia” Choir grew to more than 60 singers, as documented in archival photographs.
Winning two main first prizes at the International Convention and Competition organized by the Polish Singers Alliance of America in New York in 1998 was a clear recognition of the “Symfonia” Choir as the best Polish Choir in the United States and Canada. I was also honored to receive the title of Best Conductor of the Competition, followed by my nomination as Artistic Director of the Polish Singers Alliance of America.
I proudly and fondly recall our shared concerts, rehearsals, and moments of creative work, which have left a lasting mark on both my professional and personal life. Our joint artistic journey is described in my book “Maestro from Toronto”, which I warmly recommend.
I would like to express my sincere gratitude to all current and former choir members, conductors, accompanists, community leaders, and supporters of “Symfonia” who, over the years, have devotedly contributed to building its high artistic standard and distinguished reputation.
I wish the “Symfonia” Choir many more years of creative success, unwavering energy, inspiring projects, and numerous performances that bring joy to both performers and audiences alike. May music continue to unite generations and remain a beautiful symbol of the Polish presence in Canada.

Dr. Andrzej Rozbicki

Former Conductor