site.btaMarch 21, 1960: Children’s Choir Is Established with Bulgarian National Radio

On March 21, 1960, the Children’s Choir was established with the Bulgarian National Radio (BNR). Its establishment was part of BNR’s efforts to promote children's music and culture.

The Choir has since become one of the most renowned children’s choirs in Bulgaria and has gained international recognition.

As many as 2,500 children applied to join it. 250 were admitted to the first round, and 120 were accepted after the second round.

The choir’s first rehearsal took place on March 21, 1960. Its founder, artistic director, and chief conductor until his death was Hristo Nedyalkov (1932–2013).

The Children’s Radio Choir has given over 2,000 concerts in New York, Washington, Beijing, London, Paris, Berlin, Moscow, Vienna, Prague, Budapest, Brussels, Copenhagen, Stockholm, Helsinki, Mexico City, Tokyo, Honolulu, Cairo, and other cities in nearly 32 countries. In Japan alone, the choir has held nearly 500 concerts in more than 150 cities during 18 concert tours.

The choir’s repertoire includes over 800 works from all eras and styles—ranging from the old masters to contemporary Bulgarian and foreign composers, as well as choral arrangements of Bulgarian and international songs.

The choir’s uniforms, created in 1960 by artist Neva Tosuzova, incorporate motifs from traditional clothes in the western Bulgarian town of Samokov.

The choir has won numerous national and international awards at choral competitions and festivals. In 2002, it was named “Ambassador of European Culture” by the European Federation of Choirs under the EU.