Don't You Just Love Men's Singing?

I absolutely adore the sound of men's choirs.  Not sure when I got addicted! Men have sung together throughout history, maybe it is in my genes!  I especially enjoy the sound of men singing in harmony, usually a cappella. Really, and why do you need another instrument when you have the glorious range of countertenors all the way to the basso profundo to sing everything from folk songs to musical comedy, choruses from opera, as well as unique and specialized arrangements by new and respected Ukrainian composers.  Just love, love, love!  

And the Ukrainian Male Chorus of Edmonton have the fellowship of music and culture to share. That's why you just have to mark Saturday, May 23, 2015 with a special star on your calendar.  

The Ukrainian Male Chorus of Edmonton presents a Spring Concert on Saturday, May 23, 2015 at 7:30 pm at St. Stephen’s Anglican Church (1121 14 Avenue SW) in Calgary with special guest: Calgary's own Stephania Romaniuk, mezzo-soprano  (Recently returned from an eventful and positively received musical/philanthropic tour to Ukraine!

The hour-long concert will feature Ukrainian sacred and secular choral works, as well as several songs sung in English.      Admission is by donation.

The choir's website is www.ukrainianmalechorus.ca.

Stephania's website is www.stephaniaromaniuk.com.

The choir will also be singing the Divine Liturgy on Sunday, May 24, 2015 at 9:30 AM at St. Vladimir's Ukrainian Orthodox Church at 404-Meredith Road NE Calgary.  For more information please call 403-264-3437.  

Classical Music for Ukraine

Canada has certainly been a friend in need, an advocate for governmental support, and local activism during the recent political and military upheaval in Ukraine. Since the remarkable Revolution of Dignity in November 2013, Ukraine has both triumphed and been challenged, as it sets its course for the future - a true battle in no uncertain terms. Calgarians have been raising funds to materially and emotionally support those in the "line of fire", especially (but not solely) through medical aid support.

In a celebration of our deepest human values, Calgary's Stephania Romaniuk, and advanced students of the Mount Royal Conservatory have joined efforts for a fundraising concert, a program of Classical Music for Ukraine, Sunday, February 15, 2015 at 2 p.m. at the Leacock Theatre, Mount Royal University, 4825 Mount Royal Gate SW Calgary, AB T3E 6K6.

Nando Malysh 2015

Stephania's gregarious nature, and heart of gold have invited others to passionately embrace this lovely call to duty. The program features the talents of Stephania Romaniuk, mezzo-soprano & artistic director, Tanya Chumak, ballerina, Daniel Dastoor, violin, Cheryl Emery, piano, Lindsey Herle, violin, Minja McKenna, viola, and Andrew Tai-Soon Park, cello. The concert of art songs, arias and instrumental music will also embrace select Ukrainian art songs, gems to welcome into the Classical canon. A rich, fulfilling musical experience awaits.

Stephania's ambition is to travel to Ukraine to contribute in person to the humanitarian effort in person later this spring. A three city concert tour to Odessa, Lviv, Kyiv (Odessa Opera House - Kvitka Cisyk Tribute Concert featuring Dzhamala and other Ukrainian pop stars, Lviv Pototsky Palace featuring Oksana Mukha, Pavlo Tabakov, Choir "Orfei" and others, and L'viv Military Hospital, Kyiv Philharmonia and Canadian Embassy in Kyiv) April 2-12, 2015.

Stephania Romaniuk 2015

If you are needing a study break with beautiful classical music, or mission driven to help an important cause, you will be in good company at Classical Music for Ukraine. For more information on how to get the most of your music-listening experience, or how to contribute to the "help Ukraine" effort, please contact Stephania at 587.228.0220.

Stephania and string quartet will also be performing the repertoire from these tour dates in the Calgary's competitive city-wide Performing Arts Festival in March 2015. The musicians have also been invited to perform (other repertoire) at the BELLA: Fundraiser for the Calgary Health Region, taking place March 11, 2015 at Holt Renfrew (Tickets $500/Seat, $5,000 per VIP table of 6)

Calgarians Remember 2014

Calgary's Ukrainian community gathered Saturday afternoon, November 22, 2014 for its annual Holodomor Commemoration. The warm embrace of friends, familiar faces, all drawn like moths to a flame, to the flame of remembrance.

The Calgary Branch of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress hosted a Prayerful Memorial Panachyda with the participation of local clergy, Korinnya Ukrainian Ensemble raised their voices in the soulful remembrance of The Cranes (Zhuravli), Ukrainian Youth read poems, sang and hung images of Holodomor victims, contemplative of past days and the world to come. Calgary mezzo soprano Stephania Romaniuk and Cellist (?) performed a beautiful, newly composed lyric piece in honor of the Holodomor.  then Mr. Bohdan Romaniuk spoke eloquently about the causes of the Holodomor, as a precursor to today's events in Ukraine, and Calgary Conservative MP Rob Anders, incredulous at the sheer horror of the facts he was speaking, shared his empathy and humanity with the assembly.  Thanks to the many contributors, UCC Calgary's program today held the listeners spellbound with respect and deeply felt emotion. Diakuyemo!!

Participants could not help to be moved by the speakers, the presentations today.

Among the participants today, an extremely well informed gentleman waited the opportunity to share his passionate concern to educate and inform anyone within hearing distance about Ukraine and Ukrainians. Today, Mr. Mykola Woron held a remarkable and rare book, released from a Soviet era publishing house in 1991 - Kyiv, the year Ukraine gained its Independence from the USSR, about the Holodomor, written by two authors who were thereafter "removed" by the authorities. Mr. Woron believes the second author,  Manyak V.A is buried in Kyiv. The masterwork of Mr. Woron's life is the Library at St. Vladimir Ukrainian Cultural Centre, a resource about all things Ukrainian!  Time to visit the library!  "Learn, my friends!  Think and read......."

 photos courtesy of Olena Pavlyshyna 2014

Stephania's CD Release Event - March 2

Fans of great Ukrainian Estradna Musika will be thrilled to hear that Stephania Romaniuk is performing again - and releasing a great new recording of the songs of Bohdan Wesolowsky (among others). Joined by top jazz musicians from Calgary, her premier recording of all-new arrangements of Ukrainian retro-pop songs from the 30-50's will definitely redefine Ukrainian Cabaret! Imagine swing, latin jazz, rhumba, tango, bolero, and the wonderful vocal stylings of Stephania - wow!

The Ukrainian diaspora community really makes things happen - thanks to a successful Kickstarter campaign, and with financial support from a variety of foundations including the Taras Shevchenko Foundation, Бували дні, By-Gone Days will be a special addition to your listening favorites.

You can enjoy Stephania performing songs from her debut album on Sunday, March 2, 2014 at St. John's Institute (11024 82 Ave NW, Edmonton). For more information you can call (780) 439-2320. Make sure to get tickets soon - here is some contact information. https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1686146502/by-gone-days-ukrainian-jazz
www.stephaniaromaniuk.com

Great news! Stephania's song "Summer" will be featured on the Shevchenko Foundation's 50th Anniversary Commemorative Album!