History

In 1868 The singing club Hlahol in Prague stimulated the foundation of the Union of Czech and Slovak singing choirs, the first choral organisation in Bohemia. Its most important chair was Emilian Kaufmann, who had merit in development of the organisation and initiated publishing of a magazine, which was published until 1948. In 1904 the first musical festival took place. After World War I it was renamed and established its own Musical Publishing House to publish scores of contemporary composers. Close before World War II it united with the Workers’ Singing Choirs Association and went on until 1951 when it was banned. In 1969 its activities were continued by the Czech Choirs Association, which has been working until today.