History of AEDCORO
For the first time, AEDCORO organised an event with an international dimension linked to the World Youth Choir meeting in Barcelona. It was a study tour in collaboration with WYC and the Federació Catalana d'Entitats Corals (FCEC).
AEDCORO holds a seat on the Consejo Estatal de las Artes Escénicas y de la Música, a body linked to the INAEM-Ministry of Culture. Through this representation, the association gives voice to the choral sector in the annual plenary sessions.
The close collaboration between the City Council of Medina de Pomar, a protective partner of AEDCORO, and the association resulted in the cession of a space in a historic building in Calle Mayor, which became the new headquarters of AEDCORO at the service of its members. The inauguration ceremony was attended by directors from Mexico and Portugal.
Under the heading Women in Choral Conducting, A scientific congress was held in collaboration with the Autonomous University of Madrid (UAM) and the RTVE Orchestra and Choir. The meeting was attended by Petra Grassi and celebrated the first honorary member of AEDCORO, Carmen Cruz.
With the incorporation of Alberto Palacín as a member of International Relations, the process of integrating AEDCORO into the European Choral Association (ECA) began. This membership has allowed AEDCORO members to access grants for internationalisation projects, to become indirect members of the ECA and to participate with grants in activities such as Leading Voices. In the same year, ECA Secretary General Sonja Greiner visited Burgos.
Barakaldo hosted the annual meeting of AEDCORO, with the participation of Erik Nielsen. At this assembly, the board of directors chaired by Ramón Gil was renewed for a second term, until 2026.
AEDCORO became one of the promoters of the first international federation of choir directors’ associations, the International Federation of Choral Directors' Associations (IFCDA).
Despite health restrictions, AEDCORO managed to hold its annual meeting in 2020. For the first time, the event took place outside Burgos, with a double venue shared between Vigo and Burgos.
The COVID-19 pandemic seriously affected choral activity, which was identified as high risk. In this context, AEDCORO intensified its activity, offering a meeting place for conductors and specialists that allowed a progressive recovery of choral practice with greater guarantees and resources.
AEDCORO initiated a firm commitment to strengthen links with companies and entities related to services for the choral sector. The first professional choral fair and the Decorö brand were born from this impulse.
Burgos once again hosted the annual meeting of AEDCORO, this time with Bengt Ollén as guest director. During this congress, the board of directors was replaced by Ramón Gil.
The Senate Culture Committee unanimously approved an institutional declaration of recognition of choral activity as a cultural asset of society, as well as support for initiatives aimed at its promotion. It also recognised the figure of the choir conductor as an indispensable element of this activity. This was AEDCORO's first major institutional achievement.
One year after the founding forum, AEDCORO organised its first national congress in Burgos. The meeting was attended by Karmina Šilec and we celebrated the appointment of our first two honorary members: Alejandro Yagüe and Javier Busto.
The Asociación de Directores de Coro de la República Argentina (ADICORA) was the first of the many international organisations with which AEDCORO has established stable collaborative relationships.
The first meeting of the board of directors was held in Medina de Pomar, made up of Alberto Carrera (president), Nuria Fernández (secretary), Mariano Pilar (treasurer), Valentín Benavides (member) and Diego Martínez (member). At this meeting, the statutes of the association were approved and registered. AEDCORO was born.
The 1st National Choir Directors' Forum was held in Burgos and brought together some of Spain's leading choral conductors. The meeting concluded with the unanimous agreement of the participants to form the Spanish Association of Choir Directors.
