 Czech Music Alliance is the professional organization of Anita Smisek, OP and Joel Blahnik. Established in New Prague, Minnesota in 1987, the duo, both 3rd generation Czech/Americans, have conducted presentations at various universities, state and national conventions, schools, churches, and religious institutions across America. In addition, they have performed in the Czech Republic as soloists, conductors, teachers, and co-founders of music festivals. Smisek's expertise is as vocal soloist, keyboard artist, conductor, editor, and musicologist in Czech liturgical and folk music. Blahnik works as a composer/arranger, conductor, clinician, and brass performer. Each has taught over 30 years in American schools.In 1989, Smisek and Blahnik established Alliance Publications, Inc., a publishing house which specializes in the production of Czechoslovak music. Forming a bridge with composers, performers, and publishers of the Czech Republic, Alliance Publications focuses both on old and contemporary music, providing a great latitude for various musical mediums. In one of their recent projects, Alliance Publications, Inc. commissioned as number of composers, including Petr Eben, Zdenek Lukas, Jindra Necesova, Jiri Ropek, Josef Svejkovsky, Evzen Zamecnik, Jeronym Zajicek, and Milos Mares, and then supported a recording session of 5 video tapes with Czech pianist, Radoslav Kvapil. The API catalog contains over 300 works in all mediums of classical and folk art music. We love to bring our musical heritage to audiences throughout the world. The following concert themes are available:
- Czech Classical Music
- Vocal Recital of Antonin Dvorak
- Czech Folk Art Music for Voice, Brass & Piano
We have conducted presentations at various universities, state/national conventions, schools, churches and religious institutions across America. The following subject areas are currently available:
- To Know a Culture--Go To Its Music (Czech/English)
- Sing-a-Long in Czech--"Our Czech Songs" + folk songs
- A Profile of Czechoslovak Folk Music (Czech/English)
- GIVE GLORY hymnal (liturgical Czech hymns sung in English)
- Czech Christmas Music; vocal & instrumental (Czech/English)
- Anthology of Czech Classical & Folk Music published by API
- Anthology of Religious Music published by API
- Composers & Music of the Sinsinawa Dominican Community
- Compositions of Joel Blahnik; ASCAP, internationally award-winning composer/arranger
- Music Festival Resources
Residency Resources:
- Czech Liturgical Music--all aspects
- Czech Classical Music--Past and Present
- Czech Folk Music & its Ramifications
- Conductor / Composer / Clinician
If interested in a residency, please contact us with your ideas. JB's New World Brass |
