The Polish Institute of Culture & Research at Orchard Lake (PICROL) welcomes young musicians from Poniatowa, Poland, near Lublin, for a special concert by the internationally acclaimed Scholares Minores pro Musica Antiqua on July 10, 2026 at Galeria at Orchard Lake Schools.
This family-friendly evening featured Renaissance and Baroque sacred music performs on historical instruments and accompanied by authentic period costumes and traditional dances. A complimentary reception and family activities will follow the performance.
Founded in 1975 by distinguished musicologists Danuta and Witold Danielewicz, Scholares Minores pro Musica Antiqua has spent five decades preserving and sharing Europe’s rich musical heritage. Together with associated choirs and ensembles, the organization brings together nearly 200 children and young people and recently celebrated the Golden Jubilee of both the ensemble and the artistic careers of its founders.
Over the past 50 years, the young artists of Poniatowa have performed more than 3,000 concerts and completed 127 artistic tours throughout Europe and around the world, including appearances in the United States, Canada, Australia, Japan, Turkey, Mexico, Ecuador, and nearly every country in Europe. Their work has been featured in more than 100 radio and television productions and documented through numerous recordings.
The ensemble’s performances combine vocal music, historical dance, and faithful reproductions of early instruments, including violins, viola da gambas, shawms, crumhorns, cornamuses, Gothic harps, hurdy-gurdies, and recorders. Their colorful costumes and extraordinary musicianship transport audiences back centuries while preserving traditions for future generations.
“This journey to Michigan is about much more than music,” said Anna Karwat, director of Scholares Minores pro Musica Antiqua. “It is an opportunity for our young people to encounter new friends, deepen their appreciation of their heritage, and share with audiences the beauty and joy of the musical traditions that have been entrusted to us. We are grateful for the warm welcome that awaits us and look forward to strengthening the bonds between Poland and the Polish-American community.”
The July 10 concert marked the first stop of the ensemble’s Michigan-only tour and begins several days of cultural exchange made possible through the generosity of local organizations and volunteers.
Community members who wish to support the visit of the children and their chaperones are invited to contribute to the official GoFundMe campaign, which helps offset transportation and hospitality costs associated with the Michigan tour. https://www.gofundme. com/f/support-polish-youth-concert-tour-in-michigan