About Ars Nova

Váltás Magyarra
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The ARS NOVA Vocal Ensemble (Kecskemét, Hungary) was founded in 1990 by its current artistic director, Ms. Katalin Kiss. Since its founding the ensemble has:

- regularly given concerts both in Hungary and abroad (in Austria, Greece, Germany, France, Turkey, Spain, Italy, Slovenia, Slovakia, and the USA),
- produced radio and television recordings,
- published its first CD recording in the spring of 1997 with the title Contemporary Hungarian Masses,
- participated in a series of world premiers for the works of contemporary composers,
- been honoured with a number of choral pieces being written and dedicated to them.

The ensemble has enjoyed considerable success at various international choir competitions:

- Athens International Choir Competition (Greece, 1990): First Prize in the year the Choir was founded.
In the 1996/97 concert season Ars Nova won the following prizes:
- Ankara International Choir Competition (Turkey, 1996): First Prize, Grand Prix,
- Béla Bartók International Choir Competition (Hungary, 1992): Third Prize,
- Budapest International Choir Competition (Hungary, 1997): First Prize,
- Tours International Choir Competition (France, 1997): First Prize Chamber Choir category, First Prize Free Programme category, Grand Prix and Special Prize for the performance of Kodály's pieces,
- Robert Schumann International Choir Competition (Germany, 1998): First Prize, Special Prize and Grand Prix.
- Budapest International Choir Competition (Hungary, 1999): First Prize and Grand Prix.

Katalin Kiss graduated at Ferenc Liszt Academy of Music, Budapest. Has spent several years in the United States as a guest and conductor, and has given conerts all around Europe. Currently she teaches at the Zoltán Kodály Institute os Music Pedagogy in Kecskemét, Hungary.