About the school
The Karol Szymanowski State Secondary General Music School in Katowice is the oldest arts education institution in Poland to offer an integrated curriculum combining general education with specialist music training. Founded in 1937 as part of the Silesian Conservatoire of Music, it initially operated as a two-year programme for students who had not yet completed secondary school and was known as the Music Lyceum. After the Second World War, the school resumed operations as an independent institution. Although it has undergone numerous structural and organisational changes as a result of reforms to the Polish education system, the name “Music Lyceum” remains firmly rooted in public consciousness and is still widely used.
In 1960, the school adopted Karol Szymanowski as its patron. Since 1999, it has functioned as a six-year programme under the formal name Karol Szymanowski State Secondary General Music School, forming part of the Wojciech Kilar State Music School Complex in Katowice. That same year, the school moved into a modern facility with on-site boarding in the Tysiąclecie district of the city.
A milestone came on 13 October 2014, when the entire school complex was named after composer Wojciech Kilar. The 70th anniversary of the school, celebrated in 2016, was marked by another major development: on 20 September, the Mayor of Katowice, Marcin Krupa, signed a notarial deed – witnessed by Bernadeta Stańczyk, Director of the Wojciech Kilar State Music School Complex – formally transferring the historic building at 9 Dąbrówki Street to the State Treasury. This building now houses the Stanisław Moniuszko State Primary General Music School. The success of this long-awaited acquisition, championed by Director Stańczyk and her predecessors, enabled the institution to expand further, thanks to the additional teaching spaces gained from the former Academy of Fine Arts.
Karol Szymanowski Youth Symphony Orchestra
The Karol Szymanowski Youth Symphony Orchestra operates within the Karol Szymanowski State Secondary General Music School in Katowice and is closely entwined with the history of this distinguished institution.
Founded in 1945 by Karol Stryja, the ensemble has borne the name of Karol Szymanowski since 1997. Over the decades, it has been led by a succession of esteemed conductors, including Czesław Orsztynowicz, Napoleon Siess, Zdzisław Szostak, Renard Czajkowski, Aleksander Warykiewicz, Sławomir Chrzanowski, Jan Miłosz Zarzycki, Szymon Bywalec, and Maciej Tomasiewicz. Since 2019, the orchestra has been directed by Wojciech Wantulok.
The orchestra has performed extensively across Poland and abroad – in cities such as Budapest, Berlin, Bologna, Mannheim, and as far afield as Australia and Canada. It has appeared at the National Philharmonic in Warsaw and at numerous festivals. Many outstanding musicians began their careers in its ranks, and celebrated artists including Krystian Zimerman, Wojciech Kilar, Eugeniusz Knapik, Aleksander Lasoń, Stanisław Sojka, and Marcin Pospieszalski made their debuts with the ensemble.
Guest conductors have included such renowned figures as Jerzy Maksymiuk, Marek Pijarowski, Jerzy Salwarowski, and Massimiliano Caldi. The orchestra has also made several recordings for Polish Radio and Television. Its distinctive combination of youthful energy and professional artistry continues to win acclaim from audiences and critics alike.
On 16 November 2014, under the baton of Szymon Bywalec, the orchestra was awarded first prize at the National Competition for Secondary School Orchestras.