The Boys Are Singing at LAU

LAU Beirut Campus - Irwin Hall Auditorium

The Department of Communication, Arts and Languages cordially invites you to the inaugural concert of the Czech Boys Choir Boni Pueri in Lebanon

About the musicians

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Conductor Marek Štilec is one of the most prominent representatives of the young generation of Czech conductors. He has extensive experience as a choirmaster, having worked with more than a dozen choral ensembles (including the Prague Philharmonic Choir, Houston Symphony Chorus, Martinů Voices and Czech Ensemble Baroque). Together with Boni Pueri, they participated in the musicological project Czechs in Vienna.

A holder of a number of international awards for many recordings, Štilec is a graduate of Dana Vlachová’s violin class at Prague Conservatory. Additionally, he studied conducting with Leoš Svárovský and at the Prague Academy of Music. He is a graduate of the International Järvi Academy – a masterclass with Leonid Grin – and has collaborated with many world-famous Czech orchestras and musicians. In November 2014, Štilec performed together with Vanessa Mae and José Carreras.

Štilec is also a much sought-after partner of the Singing Stars. He is also the founder, conductor and artistic director of the Quattro Chamber Orchestra. Intensively engaged in recording activities, he has already recorded over 20 CDs for renowned companies, such as Arco Diva, Naxos, Radioservis and Supraphon.

Pianist Dr. Vartan Agopian is a Lebanese pianist, composer and music arranger of Armenian origin. He is a graduate of the Lebanese National Higher Conservatory of Music in Beirut, Haigazian University and Charles University in Prague. He has a master’s degree in Piano Performance and Pedagogy and a Doctorate in Piano Pedagogy. Dr. Agopian was an accompanist at the Lebanese Conservatory, the American University of Beirut Choir and Saint Joseph University Choir in Lebanon. Further, he is a recipient of many awards, including the Prague Conservatory’s “Outstanding Participant Award” and the 2^nd-place prize in the Czech University Graduate Piano Competition. Having performed numerous concerts as a solo pianist, accompanist and conductor, Dr. Agopian has recorded many of his compositions and arrangements with prominent orchestras.

Residing in Prague, he teaches piano, piano improvisation, harmony and music analysis and often accompanies the choir and instrumental students at Charles University. He also leads the choir of the International Christian School in Prague and regularly performs internationally in Lebanon, France, Holland as well as other countries. Dr. Agopian joined Boni Pueri as an accompanist in January 2022.

Flutist Jacob Faber Silén is a Danish diplomat and senior political officer at the Danish Embassy in Lebanon. Music is Mr. Faber’s favorite hobby, and the flute in particular holds a special place in his heart, as it reaffirms his deep belief in the transformative power of music in fostering cultural awareness.

Dr. Reem Deeb is a soprano and artist in residence at LAU Beirut. She is specialized in voice performance and history and literature. Dr. Deeb has also minored in music education and choral conducting from Indiana University Jacobs School of Music, USA. Her repertoire includes several recitals, oratorio, opera and musical theater roles and productions. Additionally, Dr. Deeb is an active member of the Presbyterian Church (USA) and is an associate organist and soprano soloist at the National Evangelical Church of Beirut. She enjoys collaborating and presenting many events with international communities and diplomats to spread cultural awareness, peace and joy through music.
 

Choir Members

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