Ilona Sojda

Ilona Sojda (born 26 May 1987, Kielce), Polish singer whose work has its origin in sung poetry, an imprecise, unspecific music genre that merges lyrical ballads with written poetry.

Awards

Winner of the 41st Student Song Festival^[1] in Krakow, an influential cultural event that first took place in 1962, known then as the National Student Song Contest.^[2] She also won musical contests in Rybnik,^[3] Radom,^[4] and Elbląg^[5] and was one of the finalists of the Review of Stage Songs,^[6] being the 27th edition of Poland's oldest actors' song interpretation contest, which is set in Wroclaw.

Kaddish for Rose

Since 2005, she cooperates with Marek Tercz, poet and composer from Kielce, who created music and lyrics for their recital 'Kaddish for Rose'. It was introduced for the first time to a wider audience during the 42nd Student Song Festival in 2006, however the official premiere took place a year later at Krakow's Tempel Synagogue in 2007.

This project is meant to be released as a concept album that is inspired by the story of Rose, a Jewish eighteen-year-old girl killed in the Auschwitz concentration camp during the Second World War.

The music is greatly influenced by Jewish traditional music, although it is accompanied by both acoustic and less conventional electronic instruments, such as electronic drums and synthesizers.

Personal life

Currently she studies applied psychology at the Jagiellonian University.

References

1. ↑ Institute of Art Association, 41. Student Song Festival official website.
2. ↑ Institute of Art Association, the 'Festival's history' page.
3. ↑ National Artistic Song Festival Official website.
4. ↑ The complete list of winners.
5. ↑ National Art's of Word Festival Official website.
6. ↑ Official website of the Review of Stage Songs 2006.