Antoni Małłek (1851-1917) – an activist of the Polish community in America: a musician and a politician

Abstract

Antoni Małłek was one of the most outstanding activist in the Polish community in America. He emigrated from the Polish territory annexed by Prussia to the United States in 1871. Being educated in music he established the first Polish church choir at the Saint Stanisław Kostka parish in Chicago. In the next years he established several more choirs, among others one at the Saint Stanisław parish in Milwaukee (1873), a men's choir at the Saint Kazimierz parish in Northeim (1875), a women's choir „Wanda” and a men’s one named „Chopin” at the Saint Trinity parish in Chicago (1888), as well as „Chojnia”, which he conducted together with his brother, the organist Konstanty Małłek. He became an outstanding activist and promoter of choir movement. In 1886 he started the musical periodical „Ziarno”. In 1888 he established the Association of Polish Singers in America, and he took up the position of its General President. He was also involved in Polish community's political life, supporting the democratic-liberal side. In 1889 he became the General Secretary of the Polish National Association. In 1897 he established the Fryderyk Chopin Singing Society.