21/04/2026
✨ World Peace Choral Festival 2026 ✨
🎶 Official Jury Announcement – Artistic Committee
We are honored to begin this year’s jury announcement with the Chair of the Artistic Committee:
Univ.-Prof. Mag. art. Alois Glaßner
Chair of the Artistic Committee
He serves as Head of the Institute for Conducting at mdw – University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna, and Director of the Webern Chamber Choir (mdw). Recognized as one of Austria’s leading choral conductors, he represents a combination of artistic excellence, academic leadership, and international experience.
His artistic education in Vienna includes studies in organ, church music, composition, conducting, and vocal pedagogy, further enriched by international studies in Stockholm with Eric Ericson and in London. This background has shaped a distinctly international artistic perspective.
He founded the Hugo Distler Choir Vienna and later served as church music director at the historic Augustinerkirche in Vienna (1992–2005). From 2003 to 2020, he was Artistic Director of the Bachchor Salzburg, developing it into an internationally recognized ensemble and a regular partner of the Salzburg Festival.
As a conductor, he has worked with orchestras such as the Vienna Volksoper Symphony Orchestra, the Mozarteum Orchestra Salzburg, and Camerata Salzburg, and continues to be active internationally as a guest conductor, educator, and juror.
Since 1991, he has been teaching at mdw, where he currently serves as Professor of Choral Conducting and Head of the Institute for Music Conducting. He also leads the Webern Chamber Choir and promotes international collaboration through the “Choral Bridges” series.
We are also pleased to present the following members of the Artistic Committee Jury:
Basilio Astulez
Basilio Astulez teaches Choral Singing at the Leioa Municipal Music Conservatory, where he founded the Leioa Kantika Korala children’s choir in 2000. He also conducts Vocalia Taldea, a multi-awarded female ensemble.
He has recorded 12 albums and toured across Europe, America, and Asia. He is regularly invited as a jury member and lecturer for international competitions, courses, and seminars worldwide. Since 2018, he has been Professor of Choir Conducting at Musikene – Higher Conservatory of the Basque Country and currently leads EHGA, the Basque Youth Choir, awarded three First Prizes at the International Choral Contest of Tolosa.
Prof. Wu Lingfen
Professor Wu Lingfen is Professor at the Conducting Department of China Conservatory of Music, Director of the Art Instruction Committee of the China Chorus Association, Expert of the Art Education Committee of the Ministry of Education of China, conductor of the choir of the National Centre for the Performing Arts, and President of the Jury of the 9th World Peace Choral Festival.
Erasmus Baumgartner
Artistic Director of the Vienna Boys’ Choir and Head of the Augarten Campus, he began his musical training as a choirboy at Stift St. Florian in Upper Austria. He later studied conducting and vocal performance at the Anton Bruckner Private University in Linz and completed a Master’s degree at the Mozarteum University Salzburg, both with distinction.
He founded the award-winning “Academy Singers” and has performed at the Salzburg Festival both as a choirboy under Herbert von Karajan and later as a professional singer under leading conductors. Since 2023, he has served as Artistic Director of the Vienna Boys’ Choir.
Prof. Dr. hab. Agnieszka Franków-Żelazny
An internationally recognized conductor, professor, and artistic leader, she has contributed extensively to choral music and contemporary repertoire. Her work includes numerous premieres, over 25 recordings, and more than 80 international awards, including the Gloria Artis Medal and Fryderyk Awards.
She has led ensembles performing at major international venues such as Royal Albert Hall, Gewandhaus Leipzig, and BOZAR Brussels, and has collaborated with leading choirs and orchestras across Europe. She is currently Professor at the Wrocław Academy of Music and, since 2025, Director of Wrocław Opera. Previously, she served as Artistic Director of the Polish National Youth Choir and the NFM Choir.
🌍 The World Peace Choral Festival 2026 is deeply honored to welcome this distinguished Artistic Committee Jury. Their collective experience, artistic vision, and international engagement reflect our shared commitment to excellence, cultural exchange, and the power of choral music to connect the world.
