Founded in 1918, the all-male Ukrainian Bandurist Chorus has a long and proud history of representing Ukrainian bandura and choral music on the international stage. Today, the majority of Chorus members are 2nd and 3rd generation Americans and Canadians. Fortified by a whole new generation of young musicians, the Chorus has captivated audiences in major concert halls in the United States, Canada, Europe, Australia, and Ukraine since immigrating to North America from Europe in 1949.

Members of the UBC volunteer their time and talent for the mission of the ensemble. The UBC has been traditionally based in the Metro Detroit area since 1949, however the group is composed of talented musicians from throughout North America, including: Alberta, California, Connecticut, Michigan, New York, New Jersey, Ohio, Ontario and Pennsylvania. Members travel to Detroit on weekends to rehearse for a total of 12 hours over two days. On a Saturday, the UBC will rehearse for eight hours. Rehearsal continues on Sunday with a final four hour wrap-up session. Our ensemble includes doctors, lawyers, students, engineers, businessmen, professors, retirees, and entrepreneurs all of whom share a passion for Ukrainian music and the bandura. One of the most interesting aspects of the ensemble is its age diversity. Members range in age of 16 to 80.

The Chorus' unique nature revolves around the bandura. This distinctive instrument has developed over centuries and continues to evolve as one of the most intriguing musical instruments in the world. It is the Chorus' mission to present the bandura and Ukrainian song to the world stage. We invite you to come hear us, and look forward to seeing you at one of our performances.

The UBC in rehearsal

January 14, 2010