BORSHCH FEST - Ukrainian Male Chorus

The Ukrainian Male Chorus of Edmonton was recently in Southern Alberta on their mission to promote Ukrainian Music to the world.  Their trip to Banff, with the free admission performance was a great opportunity to reconnect with the past.  The significance of Southern Alberta in the Ukrainian Canadian experience is a treasure of stories, mostly untold - perhaps time to reveal a snapshot?  Stories of opportunity, adventure, sacrifice, contributions and resilience!

Did you know how many Ukrainian labourers were involved in the building of the Banff Cave and Basin Hot Springs facility?  Did you know about the internment camp at Castle Mountain?  Well, a look into Ukrainian Canadian history, and a glimpse at the huge migration of Ukrainian immigrants to the southern Alberta region say, a hundred years ago tells an important story.

The choir also came to sing the responses to the Liturgy at St. Vladimir's Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Calgary.  With the impromptu performance of Ukrainian folk songs after the Liturgy and Coffee Fellowship, the choir showcased its versatility, excellence, and great passion for the Choral Tradition of Ukraine, and Choral Tradition of Western Canada.  The experienced, yet fresh and enthusiastic approach to Ukrainian Choral Music in Canada's 2012 - what a gift!

If you enjoy this Ukrainian Choral Tradition, perhaps the Ukrainian Male Chorus's next big event is for you?

They are holding a special event called  Borshch Fest - Do Not Wear White on Saturday, October 13, 2012 at 6PM at St. John's Cultural Centre - 10611-110 Avenue, Edmonton, Alberta.  Make sure you get your tickets soon - it's bound to be a lively and entertaining cultural event! 

I hope they make it a tradition!! 

	Tickets: $40 - Buy 10 and you get to reserve a Table! Be the first on your block! Tickets are limited, so don't delay! 6 pm - Cocktails and borsh...ch tasting 7 pm - Celebrity Cook-off, judging, and performance by Ukrainian Male Chorus of Edmonton 9 pm - Dance by Barvinok 10:15 pm - Lunch For tickets please contact: Bo: 780-717-3609 Dave: 780-863-8877 umctickets@gmail.comSee

Calgary Bandura Players head to Mohyla Institute

www.bandura.org

I am so impressed I can't speak.  Some wonderful news has just crossed my computer screen, making me smile - but then again...... Maybe you know about the bandura?  My parents bought me a bandura, and sent me to lessons with Professor Andrij Hornjatkevyc in Edmonton.  Then on a camper trip to Manitoba somehow my new little radio/cassette player caught the Bandura ensemble from Windsor on the airwaves - a bizarre experience now that I think about it.  I was so enthralled with playing the whole trip to Baba's and back, my technique got better, and I learned to love playing bandura.  Then I took bandura lessons many years ago with Victor Kytasty, Julian Kytasty and Marko Bandera in Edmonton too.

A long time back in Calgary, probably 1980 or so, there was a wonderful Bandura Summer Program hosted at the Ukrainian Catholic Church of the Assumption.  Not sure who was the sponsoring organization, but I was there too, and it was so much fun!  Later on my daughter had the opportunity to study bandura with Pani Nadia.  I know there were a bunch of Saskatoon girls who played and performed on bandura in Calgary - they sang such lovely Ukrainian folk songs.  Well my poor bandura has suffered from Calgary's notorious lack of humidity, and you can guess, there is a crack running down it's face.  So sad.  I wonder where the time has flown? When was the last time I played?  Maybe you play?  I wonder whether you have a photo or some comment about all those Bandura related events in Calgary over the years?  Maybe you'll leave a comment? 

It's time to go to Bandura Camp!  And a spectacular one that features the great maestro Victor Mishalow, renowned Toronto based musician and teacher of Ukrainian culture and language. ( Please see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victor_Mishalow for his biography, awards and list of recordings.)

The great people at Mohyla Institute in Saskatoon are offering a fabulous two week summer musical program devoted to learning bandura and Ukrainian choral music.  This two week program offered at St. Petro Mohyla Institute August 6-9, 2012 gives teenagers 13 years and older eight hours of daily group instruction. Learning to play bandura will be the main focus, but the participants will also have lessons in sopilka (flute), tsymbaly (dulcimer), Ukrainian language, folk songs and customs, Ukrainian history and Ukrainian liturgical hymns.  Evening dances, movies, concerts and talent night events will certainly keep the mood light and fun!! A final concert, singing the responses at a Divine Liturgy, and a chance to perform at the Annual Folk Festival In Saskatoon will be great opportunities to share the learning with the general public.

The basic tuition fee covers accommodation, meals, and music instructional materials.
The standard tuition fee is based on shared accommodations at Mohyla Institute.

Registration fee (non-refundable)	$125.00
Tuition fee	$715.00
Bandura rental fee (optional: you may supply your own)	$50.00
Linens (optional; one fitted sheet is included for free)	$50.00
Individual room (optional; dependent on availability)	$250.00
Internet in the room (optional; internet is available for free on the main floor)	$50.00
Family discount - call for verification and to arrange payment for more information go to www.mohyla.ca phone 306-653-1944 or contact Steve at 306-584-1846	$25.00/member

 

Calgary Visit of Ukrainian Male Chorus of Edmonton



at Mukachevo, Ukraine - infoukes.com

A few weeks ago I was speaking with Orest Soltykevych of Edmonton, and he surprised me with the news that the UKRAINIAN MALE CHORUS OF EDMONTON is coming to sing in Calgary this month.  What lovely news! 

I just love the sound of male voices, especially singing together!  The liturgical music of the Ukrainian tradition is so moving.  Prayerful, deep, rich, resonant sounds - the enveloping sounds that make my spirit remember the hopes and dreams of my ancestors.  The sound of Hospodi pomiluj!  touches my heart in a way no other prayer does. 

Orest said that the choir has decided to take the opportunity to promote the Ukrainian choral tradition by touring various centres in Western Canada. 

They are coming to Calgary to sing the responses to the Divine Liturgy, on Sunday, June 24 at St. Vladimir’s Ukrainian Orthodox Congregation at 404 Meredith Road NE.

I sincerely hope you will come and participate in the worship service! 

Remember to mark this date on your calendar - come for the prayer and worship together.