The Kantika choir was formed in 2001 at the Municipal Music School in Leioa upon the initiative of the conductor, Basilio Astúlez. It is made up of 45 young people between the ages of 10 and 17, and they all study at this conservatoire. Its overriding aim is to introduce them to the pleasures of choral music and extend their musical training, which means embracing the most extensive possible variety and wealth of styles and repertoire. The ensemble has now become a referent in today’s choir scene due both to its bold programming and to it meticulous arrangements and its commitment to commissioning and premiering new music written for young voices.

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From its earliest days, Kantika has taken part in numerous choir gatherings and festivals both in the Basque Country and in the rest of Spain (Madrid, Barcelona, Malaga, Avila, Asturias, Caceres, Alicante...).

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It has also been invited to various international festivals and toured countries such as Portugal, France, Iceland, Mexico, Italy, Slovenia, Latvia, Lithuania and Switzerland.

Kantika has won major international awards, at competitions held in Torrevieja, Gorizia and Tolosa, and more recently in Arezzo, where it was awarded first prize in its category.

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It frequently collaborates with orchestras and conductors in workshops, courses and symphonic-choral seasons, as well as in recordings and other projects both in the Basque Country and throughout the rest of Spain.

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It has made five recordings, and some of its performances have been broadcast on TV.

In April 2010 in Portugal, Kantika Korala premiered the youth opera "As Palavras Na Barriga" (Words in the Belly) by the composer Vasco Negreiros, as part of the "Días da Música" international festival in Lisbon. In the wake of this experience, Kantika also took part in the prestigious triennial European Festival of Youth Choirs held in May 2010 in Basel, Switzerland.

During the 2010-11 season, Kantika has worked with the Bilbao Symphony Orchestra (BOS) and the Bilbao Association of Young Opera Enthusiasts (ABAO txiki) holding several recitals in Bilbao.

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Coinciding with the launch of the Beti bizi album, Kantika travelled to Scotland with the Basque musician and composer Kepa Junkera to take part in the Celtic Connections festival. The performance of Kepa Junkera and Friends was held at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall.

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Spring 2011 has seen Kantika embark upon a number of different projects. On the one hand, there has been the adaptation in Bilbao’s Arriaga Theatre of "As Palavras Na Barriga", and on the other, cooperation with the Bilbao Philharmonic Orchestra in Las Primaveras Musicales (Music in Springtime).

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https://www.conservatorioleioa.com/leioakantikakorala/en/leioa-kantika-korala.html