Doc.Mgr.Jan Maria Dobrodinský

Czech Republic

Beginning his French horn studies at the School of Music in Prague, Jan Maria Dobrodinský obtained a degree in Choir Singing and Conducting at the University School of Music in Bratislava and in Music Science and Sociology at the Faculty of Arts, Comenius University. Between 1954 and 1977 he served as a principal choir conductor in the Slovak Philharmonic Choir but left this position for political reasons. From 1978 to 1982 Jan Maria Dobrodinský was the principal conductor at the Czechoslovak Radio Choir in Prague and from 1982 to 1988 the principal conductor of the Central Czech Symphonic Orchestra. J.M.Dobrodinský’s guest conducting engagements have included professional and symphonic orchestras in Czech Republic, Germany, France, Belgium, Italy, Austria, Hungary, Bulgaria, Russia and Turkey. In addition, Jan Maria Dobrodinský has taught at the School of Music in Bratislava and habilitated at the University School of Music in 1991. Since 1994 he has lectured at the Pedagogical Faculty, Charles University in Prague. He has also publisjed numerous professional articles, studies and academic books on choir music and conducting. Aft er November 1989 Jan Maria Dobrodinský established the Association of Conductors, chaired the Association of Music Artists and Scientists, between 1992 and 1996 served as a Czech culture minister advisor. Prizes he was awarded include among others the Slovak Culture Ministry Award in 1996 or Bedrich Smetana Prize in 1998. In 2001 he became honorary principal choir conductor of the Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra.