Jaromír Klobouk: A Life Devoted to Choral Art
Abstract
This study focuses on the life and professional contribution of Jaromír Klobouk (1915–1995). He was an important figure in Czech musical culture who became famous primarily for his work in choral conducting. Klobouk worked for more than forty years as a teacher at secondary schools and universities, where he taught music, led courses for choir conductors and teachers, and served as a judge in several music competitions. His career was closely linked to the founding and development of choral ensembles at all the schools where he worked. Klobouk achieved significant success with the University Women’s Choir of the Faculty of Education in Pilsen, one of the leading vocal ensembles in Czechoslovakia, with which he gained international recognition. In addition to conducting, he was also an outstanding piano accompanist, arranger of compositions and devoted his entire life to promoting the work of Jaroslav Křička. These arrangements were used in concerts and radio recordings. In 1995, the Union of Czech Choirs, under Jiří Kolář, awarded him the Bedřich Smetana Prize.