Male Choir

The activity of the folk singers known as the Men’s Choir of Kyjov can be traced back as early as the early 1950s, although at that time performances were only occasional. The first choir leader to introduce regular singing rehearsals in 1961 was Jiří Wenzl, assisted by his brother Josef Wenzl. In 1979, leadership was taken over by Jura Petrů, then the primáš (lead musician) of the Kyjov cimbalom band. After his death in 1985, his son Jiří Petrů assumed the role and has led the choir to the present day. Jiří Petrů Jr., who had previously spent two years in Ždánice, also initiated friendly gatherings of men’s choirs in the Kyjov and Ždánice regions. Over time, these events developed into various forms and are now well known throughout the Slovácko region.

Over the years, the choir has also participated in television and radio programmes. It has published its own three-part songbook titled “Zpíváme v Kyjově” (“We Sing in Kyjov”) and in 2004 recorded its first album, “Dej nám Bože zdravíčka,” accompanied by the cimbalom band of Jura Petrů. The choir’s repertoire includes approximately 500 folk songs from the Kyjov region.

The Men’s Choir is part of the Kyjov Moravian
Ensemble  and, together with its other ensembles, plays a significant role in preserving the traditional culture of the town and the wider region. Among folklore vocal groups in the Czech Republic, the Men’s Choir of Kyjov has twice been recognised as the best vocal ensemble in the field of folklore, receiving the Foskar Award in 2002 and 2006.