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

Ilona Sojda
Ilona Sojda at a rehearsal, 2006
Ilona Sojda at a rehearsal, 2006
Background information
Born (1987-05-26) 26 May 1987 (age 36)
Kielce, Poland
GenresSung poetry, Acoustic Music, Alternative Music, Electronica
OccupationsVocalist, musician
InstrumentsVocals, guitar
Websiteilonasojda.pl

Awards edit

She was the winner of the 41st Student Song Festival[1] in Kraków, 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 Wrocław.

Kaddish for Rose edit

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 Kraków'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 World War II.

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 edit

Currently she studies applied psychology at the Jagiellonian University.

References edit

  1. ^ Institute of Art Association, 41. Student Song Festival official website Archived 30 October 2008 at the Wayback Machine.
  2. ^ Institute of Art Association Archived 26 September 2008 at the Wayback Machine, the 'Festival's history' page.
  3. ^ [1][permanent dead link] National Artistic Song Festival Official website.
  4. ^ The complete list of winners.
  5. ^ [2] Archived 25 June 2008 at the Wayback Machine National Art's of Word Festival Official website.
  6. ^ [3] Official website of the Review of Stage Songs 2006.