“Arheon” vocal-instrumental ensemble and “Euphonia” Choir of the Philharmonic in Râmnicu-Vâlcea

ARHEON vocal-instrumental group was founded in 2016, a project realized with the blessing of His Eminence Archbishop Varsanufie. Its vocal and instrumental performers are music teachers and priests of the Archdiocese. The group’s repertoire includes old pieces collected or composed by Daskalos Anton Pann, George Ucenescu, his disciple, and others, as well as new pieces “in old forms” such as The Ballad of the Vladica Antim, composed by the band's conductor. Their current vocal-instrumental project aims to bring to the audience the fresh fragrance of the music of past centuries and aims to “offer a future to the past”.

Rev. Prof. Dumitru-Codruț-Siluan Scurtu, PhD (conductor)

Born in Curtea de Argeș, Argeș county, with a BA from the Faculty of Composition, Musicology and Music Pedagogy in Bucharest (2007), an MA from the same faculty (2009, class of Archd. Prof. Sebastian Barbu-Bucur, PhD) and a PhD in Music (2013) from the National University of Music in Bucharest, and a BA from the Faculty of Theology in Pitesti (2011). Deacon (2007), protodeacon (2012) and inspector of the Archdiocese of Argeș and Muscel, tenured professor and conductor of the Department of Psaltic Music and Music Education at “St. Neagoe Vodă Basarab” Theological Seminary in Curtea de Argeș (2009-2015), conductor of “Ars Nova” Choir in Pitesti (2012-2015), of “Ioan Zmeu Protopsaltul” Psaltic Group (since 2005), of the Priests’ Choir of Curtea de Argeș (2009-2015), of the Choir of the Theological Seminary of Curtea de Argeș (2009-2015), of “Brevis” quartet (2008-2015) with which he has toured, given concerts and participated in national and international competitions (Greece, Macedonia, Bulgaria, Italy, France, Lithuania, Latvia, Switzerland, Italy, France, Latvia, Switzerland). 

Founder of “Mircea cel Bătrân" children's choir of School No. 4 from Curtea de Argeș. Founder of the two editions of the Byzantine Music Festival in Pitesti (organizer of the 2011-2012 editions), artistic director of the religious section of “D.G. Kiriac” International Choral Music Festival in Pitesti (2014). Since 2015, tenured professor of the Music Department and conductor of “St. Nicholas” Theological Seminary in Rm. Vâlcea, archdeacon of the Archdiocesan Cathedral of Rm. Vâlcea (2015-2018), conductor of Râmniceni Priests Choir (since 2016), founding conductor of “Brevis” Children's Choir (since 2018) and founding conductor of ARHEON Vocal - Instrumental Ensemble (since 2016), holding the office of vice-president of the National Choral Association of Romania (2014-2018). Author of numerous publications, studies and musical articles in specialized magazines, author of theatre plays. He gives numerous concerts as a performer and conductor in Romania and abroad, combining the art of singing with his pedagogical vocation, as well as that of priest of St. Dimitrios Church in Rm. Vâlcea.

“Euphonia” Choir of Râmnicu-Vâlcea Philharmonic

“Euphonia” Choir, one of the most prestigious choral ensembles in Romania, emerged in the musical landscape in 1981 under the name “Arutela” and only one year later it was renamed “Euphonia”. Under this name it has gained recognition and won the appreciation of the public and critics both in Romania and abroad. Professor Mihail Ștefănescu was the founder and conductor of the choir for over 35 years. 

“Euphonia” Choir has made a substantial contribution to the cultural life of Râmnicu Valcea, constituting, in 1995, a veritable cornerstone in the building of the new cultural edifice – “Ion Dumitrescu” Philharmonic.

The choir's repertoire includes more than 2000 pieces of Romanian and world music, the ensemble performing a cappella choral concerts and vocal-symphonic concerts. Taking part in national and international festivals and competitions, “Euphonia” Choir has obtained numerous distinctions, among which: the Grand Prize in “Ion Vidu” Competition Festival - Lugoj 1984, in the “Pecs” International Festival - Hungary 1986, the Grand Prize in “Ioan D. Chirescu” Competition Festival - Constanța 1987, the Grand Prize in “Iacob Mureșianu” Competition Festival - Blaj 1988, the Grand Prize in “Ciprian Porumbescu” Competition Festival - Suceava 1988, First Place in the 1983, 1985, 1987 and 1989 editions of “Cântarea României” National Festival etc.

Over the years, “Euphonia” Choir has been invited to collaborate with several professional symphony orchestras in Romania, among which: The Philharmonic Orchestras of Pitesti, Bacau, Constanta, Craiova, Ploiesti, Sibiu etc.

It has toured abroad (France, Italy, Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg, Hungary, Germany, Austria, etc.) and has recorded several CDs in Romania and in BRAS D`OR studios. From 2010 to November 2024, Euphonia Choir was trained by conductor Aurel Poenaru, and together they gave numerous concerts with a varied repertoire, ranging from classical to contemporary works, including two very successful musicals.

The choir is currently training under the guidance of conductor Marian Stroe.