Roman I. DrozdHe hears music before it sounds.

He graduated from the Institute of Music of the Pomeranian Academy in Słupsk (conducting class of Prof. Henryk Stiller) and from the Faculty of Philosophy of the Catholic University of Lublin, where he studied composition privately with Prof. Andrzej Nikodemowicz. A prestigious scholarship from the Vatican Congregation for the Eastern Churches enabled his postgraduate studies at the Pontificio Istituto di Musica Sacra in Rome (composition and polyphonic conducting with Prof. Domenico Bartolucci, conducting with Prof. Walter Marzilli). A further scholarship at the Istituto Musicale “Cherubini” allowed him to refine his skills in electronic music (Prof. Luca Proietti) and film music (Prof. Luca Spagnoletti). In 2000 he received his Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the Academy of Music in Łódź.

As a conductor he has worked with many choirs, including the “Synthagma” Male Choir of Sacred Music, the Prof. Jan Szyrocki Academic Choir of the Szczecin University of Technology and the “Iuventus Cantans” Choir of the Pomeranian Academy. Under his baton these ensembles achieved notable success, winning top prizes at choral competitions and festivals. He has taken part in many vocal-instrumental productions, including Penderecki’s Polish Requiem, Brahms’s Ein Deutsches Requiem, Rozbicki’s Missa Festiva, Jasiński’s Symphony In Principio and his own Suita Pomorska and Eschatofonia. He has conducted more than 700 concerts and toured Italy, Austria, Germany and Switzerland, among others, three times winning the award for best conductor.

His output spans sacred, oratorio, film and multimedia music. His works are distinguished by rich texture, a profound theological message and masterful choral and instrumental craft. He also writes for film, television, trailers and TV commercials, and has made numerous arrangements, including 18 works by Stanisław Moniuszko for the Choral Academy (published by PWM, nominated for the Fryderyk award). On the recommendation of Krzesimir Dębski, he composed a cantata for Euro 2012 for TVP1 in 2011 (Overture Euro 2012 “Foot-Moll”).

He has collaborated with many distinguished musicians, including Nick Blagona (sound engineer for the Rolling Stones), Krzesimir Dębski and Jerzy Maksymiuk, as well as the Vladimir Nazarov State Theatre in Moscow. His discography includes more than a dozen albums.

Dr Drozd’s research focuses on the sacred–profane dichotomy in music, the theology of music, and contemporary sonoristic and production techniques. For his artistic and academic work he has received some 30 Polish and international awards and honours, including an award from the Minister of Culture of Ukraine, recognising his versatility and his significant contribution to contemporary musical culture.