“Palma” Academic Choir of the
Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Zagreb

“Palma” Academic Choir of the Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus was founded at the end of the Second World War with the aim of liturgical musical expression in the Basilica. The choir has a wide repertoire of religious music, ranging from Gregorian Corals to works of contemporary composers and paying particular attention to the Croatian musical heritage. “Palma” Academic Choir is mixed choir mostly consisting of present and former students of the Zagreb University, who come from all over Croatia. During the last ten years “Palma” performed in Italy, Austria, France, Belgium, Germany, Ukraine, Czech Republic, Hungary, Montenegro, Slovenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Since 2004 the “Palma” Academic Choir is conducted by Ivan Josip Skender, who was born in 1981 in Varaždin. He graduated composition and conducting from the Academy of Music in Zagreb. His compositions have been performed in Croatia, Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Mexico. He was awarded for the performance of his composition at the Music Biennale Zagreb. As a conductor he cooperated with the Academy of Music Choir and Orchestra, Varaždin Chamber Orchestra, Croatian Baroque Ensemble, “Ivan Goran Kovačić” Academic Choir, and «Palma» Academic Choir. He works at the Croatian National Opera Theatre in Zagreb.