Musical education in female educational institutions of the congregation of the Sisters of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the years 1863–1918 (on the example of galician foundations)

Abstract

The Congregation of the Sisters of the Immaculate Conception was founded in 1857 by Mother Józef Karska and Bl. Mother Marcelina Darowska. In 1863, according to the will of Mother Darowska, the Congregation was moved to Jazłowiec. Following the first, until the end of the 19th century, other foundations of the Congregation were established in Galicia – in Jarosław (1875), Niżniów (1883) and Nowy Sącz (1897). In each of them, girls’ schools were established. The elementary task carried out in schools was to prepare the pupils to fulfill their civic duties and to shape a sense of national identity. It was understood through the prism of forming and improving patriotic, moral and religious attitudes. Mother Marcelina Darowska treated teaching and upbringing in many aspects. An important element of the education process was broadly understood music education, taking into account the elements of the sacred and the profane. The school curriculum included works by great Polish and foreign composers, who were present not only in the repertoire presented during the semi-annual and annual exams and concerts, but also theatrical performances and patriotic celebrations. The high level of music education in the Congregation’s schools was ensured and supported by sister teachers, perfectly prepared and thoroughly educated in their fields (piano, solo and choral singing, conducting), students of, among others, such virtuosos as Princess Marcelina Czartoryska, Stanisław Moniuszko or Karol Mikuli.