Symphonic Orchestra in Zamosc

The Karol Namyslowski Symphonic Orchestra is the oldest orchestra in the country which has a special origin and folk roots. 4 November 1881 is treated as the date of establishing the orchestra in spite of the fact that its first concert took place on 24 December 1880. Originally the orchestra consisted exclusively of peasants educated by its founder, Karol Namyslowski, hence the word “peasant” in its original name. Till 1939 the orchestra was financed by the Namyslowski family and after the Second World War by the state. 

At present the orchestra is an independent local cultural institution. The orchestra has given concerts in many Polish as well as European towns and has been on a tour in the United States and Canada twice. Many famous Polish artists, such as Bernard Ladysz, Bogdan Paprocki, Wanda Polanska, Bogna Sokorska, Kaja Danczowska, Konstanty Andrzej Kulka, Piotr Paleczny, Jakub Jakowicz, Waldemar Malicki, Janusz Olejniczak, to name just a few, as well as many orchestras, music bands and choirs from all over the country have been the Orchestra’s guests. As the only professional artistic institution in Zamosc Region the orchestra serves as the organiser of cultural life in the region. It gives concerts in its own hall, participates in celebrating state and religious holidays as well as other cultural events and festivals. Since 1923 the orchestra has been engaged in the project of developing the love of music in children and teenagers. It organises a popular festival called “Zamosc Music Days”, which is well-known in Poland and since 1999 it has organised the festival in co-operation with Society of Friends and Supporters of Polish Peasant Orchestra. In co-operation with the K. Szymanowski State Music School of the First and Second Degree in Zamosc and with Society of Friends and Supporters of Polish Peasant Orchestra the orchestra organises International Master Music Courses.  In 2007 in co-operation with the Town of Zamosc the orchestra organised the first edition of The Marek Grechuta Zamosc Festival of Culture.