About us

The Stefan Wasiak ‘Lira’ Singing Society was founded in 1996 by adult members and parents of younger singers from the Lira Male Choir, together with conductors Jan Wiącek and Marcin Cmiel. The Male Choir was established in 1990, while the Boys’ Choir was founded in 1994 and continued until 2017. Today, the Male Choir is the Society’s active ensemble.

Through the dedication of its young singers and conductor, the Society’s choirs began to achieve success across Poland. Performances at the Academy of Music, the National Philharmonic, churches, hospitals, cultural centres and other institutions earned the appreciation of audiences. After several years, this opened the door to international competitions and festivals. Altogether, we have given more than 800 concerts in Poland and across Europe.

Our Society is committed to nurturing young people’s musical awareness and skills over many years. We believe that a welcoming atmosphere is essential: a group bound by friendship and a sense of family is better placed to pursue artistic excellence and enjoy the experiences it brings, including trips within Poland and abroad. Growing together matters as much as artistic work. Several members of the Male Choir joined as children and are now husbands and fathers who help shape the Society — a reflection of its multigenerational character.

Lira continues to develop its activities. For several years, we have delivered concerts and projects supported by Warsaw’s public authorities and cultural institutions. Since 2005, we have co-organised the prestigious Varsovia Cantat Warsaw International Choral Festival.

In December 2007, the Society was granted public benefit organisation status. Lira’s choirs have performed in Germany, Austria, England, Wales, Greece, Italy, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Croatia, Slovenia, Bulgaria and Belarus.