The choir was founded in 1972 on the initiative of the composer Petko Staynov. For most of its existence, it has been led by Petya Pavlovich. Among the conductors who have worked with the ensemble are Vanya Moneva, Neli Trosheva, Kirkor Tyutyundzhiyan and others.
The Petko Staynov Choir, in addition to being the leading choral group in the city of Kazanlak, has also gained international fame with its participation in numerous prestigious international competitions, including Arezzo, Italy (1980), Varna (1985), Ihlava, Czech Republic, (1987), Preveza, Greece (2000), Musica Sacra – Prague, Czech Republic (2001), at Choral Festivals in Ankara, Turkey (2003), Vranov, Slovakia (2007), Ohrid, Macedonia (2008). The choir has also had independent concert activities in Denmark, Finland, Hungary, Austria, Russia, Italy, Slovakia.
The repertoire of the ensemble covers works from all styles and eras, with special attention always paid to the work of native authors. Since 2003, the choir conductor has been Mladen Stanev, since 2009, the consultant of the ensemble has been Prof. Teodora Pavlovich, Choirmaster – Denitsa Gaitandzhieva.
Mladen Stanev is a graduate of the State Music Academy “Prof. P. Vladigerov”, graduating with a master’s degree in 1998. He is a participant in master classes in choral conducting.
Since 1999, he has worked as a choirmaster at the Stara Zagora State Opera. With the opera’s choirs, they became laureates of the “Crystal Lyre” prize of the Bulgarian Chamber Orchestra and Chorus in 2021.
He is the leader of various choirs, vocal ensembles, conducts symphonic concerts, and performances for children. He has extensive concert activity in most European countries, Turkey and the USA. With some of his ensembles he has won prizes in international competitions, the latest of which are with the mixed choir Petko Staynov – 2nd place in the Grand Prix and first place in the category of sacred music and mixed choirs at the International Choir Festival “Michelangelo Buonarroti” – 2024. At the same festival, Mladen Stanev received the award for best conductor of the festival.
He is a member of the jury of national vocal competitions, as well as the International Choir Festival in Istanbul for several consecutive years.
He is the artistic director of the Cultural Center at the “M. Balkanski” Foundation from 2010 to 2021, and the musical director of the National Choir Festival “Petko Staynov” – Kazanlak.
Upcoming concerts
01.04.2026 X National Initiative “Bulgaria Sings” 2026
From
raduating with a master’s degree in 1998. He has participated in master classes in choral conducting