Gaudeamus presents folk traditions from the Bohemian region in both traditional and stylised ways. It aims to entertain a wide audience in the ways of its art by combining the past and present with humour, warmth and friendliness. This is possible thanks to extensive co-operation with renowned choreographers, composers and other artists. The main choreographers working within the group in the early years were František Bonuš and Ján Novenko (1950s) and Lenka Homolová (1960s and 1970s). The current format of Gaudeamus presentations has been strongly influenced by the work of Alena Skálová in the 1990s. Her work and approach to folk matters is distinctive, original and highly praised. More recently, Martin Pacek - a professional choreographer, co-operating with several Czech theatres and teaching at the University of Performing Arts - moved the group's style into a new exciting era. Further successful stylistic changes and progress has been brought about by the present leader of the dance group Věra Fenclová.

     The group makes an organic whole where music does not serve just as an accompaniment but also as an integral part of the performance. Among the instruments played by the band you will hear violins, viola, clarinets, flutes, bass, traditional bagpipes and a percussion instrument called a 'vozembouch'. Folk composers who have significantly influenced the present sound of the band's music are Jiří Fišer, David Slouka, Růžena and Jakub Sršňovi, Miloslav Rychta and current members Marek Janata and Milan Buňata.

     The group's artistic presentation is further underpinned by a collection of traditional costumes, including original historical ones. The overall quality and professionalism of the group is enhanced by the stage directions of Mrs. Jaroslava Šiktancová and the set designs of Helena Pěkná.

     Gaudeamus' repertoire allows you to see, according to the occasion, either single dance and music pieces such as 'Furiant' or 'Mateník', unusual dance pieces where the rhythm changes several times inside one verse, or 'Královničky'; a dance for young women from southern Bohemia. Other traditional Czech dances that appear in Gaudeamus performances are "polka", roundabout dances "kolečka", calm "sousedská" and the lively "skočná" dance. There are also established programmes that tackle the following themes:
 

• The Shrovetide Wedding - A comic and horror theatrical dance piece with a happy ending. It draws on a tradition of foolish, crazy and sometimes even frantic dances of masked people that still takes place every year in many Czech villages and towns before the Lenten period starts
• Devil's Suite - The tradition of 'devils' as fairy-tale characters is very common in Czech folklore.
• Homage to Mr. Erben - The work of this famous personality of 19th Century Czech literature, ethnography and nationalism has been a great source of inspiration for this composition of songs, dances and folk poetry.
• Saint John's Eve - another strong theme drawing from various traditions of the Midsummer period.
• Christmas time dances and songs.
• Songs of Four Barrels - A full-night programme of musicians and singers.

     Altogether, Gaudeamus' repertoire contains a wide-range of performance styles, varying from pieces lasting just a few minutes to those last several hours; from simple dance pieces to thematic interpretations of emotive issues. Furthermore, the group also teaches willing students the intricacies of Bohemian dance.

     The activities of Gaudeamus, however, are not only connected to live performance but also to recording, publishing and cultural research. In 2004 the group released a CD: Songs of Four Barrels. Also in the same year a film documenting the work of Mrs. Alena Skálová was edited and presented to a wide audience of professionals and amateurs. For the 50th anniversary of the group in 1999 a publication outlining the group´s history was issued, based on former members recollections, memories, pictures and combined with interviews with prominent personalities that have been involved in its activities. This event coincided with a release of an audiocassette by the band. Besides the above, various group members are currently carrying out studies and investigations in areas in and around Prague, to record and preserve specific regional customs, folk songs and costumes.

     Furthermore, the group is proud of its successful participation in festivals both home and abroad. In the Middlesborough Teesside International festival (UK 1999) Gaudeamus won the 2nd prize for choreographic presentation and the 3rd prize for performance of its vocal group. In the XIII. International Student Festival in Katowice (Poland 2000) the group was also praised: Gaudeamus was awarded the Cup of the Polish Academic Union. The cup is the award for novelty of artistic presentation on stage. At the same event, the group won an award for the artistic performance of its band. During the past decade the group has also visited Lithuania, Hungary, France, Croatia, Italy, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Slovakia and Ireland. This is in addition to performing in many cultural events within the Czech Republic. A few of these are the Prague Spring, the UNESCO project on traditional dances from Bohemia and the International Folk Festival in Strážnice. Gaudeamus is also a CIOFF Czech Section member.

     The Gaudeamus group is led by Mrs. Květa Matoušová, the dance group led by Mrs. Věra Fenclová and the music band directed by Mr. Marek Janata.