Detroit – At its Biennial Meeting held on May 1, 2010 in Warren, Michigan, the Ukrainian Bandurist Chorus membership elected Bohdan Heryavenko its eighth conductor in North America since 1949. Maestro Heryavenko will immediately begin working with the UBC.

In December of 2009, the UBC Executive Board appointed a Conductor Search Committee which included the following UBC members: Ihor Kusznir, Committee Chairman and current UBC Assistant Conductor; Anatoli W. Murha, Committee Secretary and current UBC President; George Metulynsky, Roman Beley, Andrij Kytasty, Andrij Birko, and Myron Trembly.

Mr. Kusznir stated that, "The search process revealed several highly qualified candidates. The initial search identified potential candidates throughout North America. A select number of candidates were contacted, all of whom were honored to be considered for the position. Candidates were given a detailed job description, asked to submit a resume and upon committee review of the resumes, interviews were held with select candidates. Following the interviews, candidates were invited to participate in a working session with the full UBC concert ensemble.“

Mr. Heryavenko started his formal musical studies at the Lviv Musical Pedagogical College where he received an honors degree. Following graduation, Heryavenko began his choirmaster education at the Lviv State Conservatory. Upon completion of the choirmaster program, Heryavenko continued his studies at the Lviv Conservatory in Opera and Symphonic Conducting and graduated under the direction of renowned composer and conductor Mykola Kolessa.

Prior to immigrating to the United States, Maestro Heryavenko held the prestigious position of Chief Choirmaster of the Lviv Opera and Ballet Theatre in Lviv, Ukraine. His professional career began in 1978 and over the course of the next 16 years; he held positions of conductor and choirmaster of various choirs resulting in his appointment of chief choirmaster of the Lviv Opera and Ballet Theatre in 1994. Here, one of his most significant contributions was working on the premiere of Myroslav Skoryk’s Opera Moses which debuted at the Lviv Opera and Ballet Theatre in 2001.

In addition to his many distinguished awards, Maestro Heryavenko is recognized for his expertise in sacred music. His performance experience has taken him to Bulgaria, Lebanon, Germany, Austria, Poland, and the United States. Maestro Heryavenko currently resides with his family in Chicago, Illinois.

UBC President Anatoli Murha had the following to say, “The Artistic Director and Conductor leads the UBC’s artistic activities but his most important function is to define a higher artistic potential and lead the UBC toward achieving it. This incredible responsibility requires an individual of great musical integrity, creative talent, appreciation and most importantly, respect of the history and tradition of the UBC and everything they represent. The strength, soul, and passion of the Ukrainian Bandurist Chorus is based on and grounded in, the longstanding history and traditions of the kobzar.Maestro Heryavenko’s extensive experience will help us expand our ambassadorial mission.”

Mr. Anatoli W. Murha was re-elected President of the Executive Board for a sixth term. Mr. Murha, 32, joined the UBC in 1992 at the age of 14. Since 2000, Mr. Murha has lead the UBC’s Executive Board and spearhead many of the UBC’s projects including concerts and tours in Ukraine, England, France, Germany, Austria, Canada, and the United States. Mr. Murha says, “I’ve had a great team of people to work with who are always willing to volunteer their time for the best interest of the UBC.”  The other newly-elected members of the Executive Board are as follows: First Vice President, Roman Beley; Second Vice President, John Kytasty; Secretary, Bohdan Pryjma; Treasurer, Volodymyr Murha; Archivist, Ihor Stasiuk; Chorus Elder, Bohdan Sklierenko; Members-at-Large - Ihor Kusznir, Andrij Sklierenko, Jeff Smolilo, and Volodymyr Brechun.

The UBC also welcomed new members into its ranks at the Biennial Meeting. When one first steps into the UBC, they are granted the status as “candidate for membership.” For a period of two years, the candidate must meet artistic requirements set forth by the UBC’s Artistic Council. Once a candidate has met the requirements, they can be elevated to active member status by a majority vote amongst the active members. The UBC class of 2010 includes the following: Markian Gowda of Edmonton, Jeff Smolilo and Alexander Lys of Cleveland, and Adrian Kwitkowsky and Joseph Tobianski of Detroit. 

The UBC will soon be announcing its concert and tour plans for 2011 under the direction of Maestro Bohdan Heryavenko. For the latest news and more information, please visit www.bandura.org

Українська капеля бандуристів обирає Богдана Герявенка новим мистецьким керівником і дириґентом

Living Strings
The Story of the Ukrainian Bandurist Chorus
A Documentary Film by Orest Sushko

The story of the Ukrainian Bandurist Chorus is one of incredible courage and true grit - a vivid chronicle that celebrates the human spirit. This is the triumphant story of the original seventeen members of the Ukrainian Bandurist Chorus who were transported to slave-labour camps in Germany in 1942 and survived one of the most horrific periods in the history of the modern world - World War II.

They were gifted musicians and poets who defied the odds while performing for multitudes of Ukrainians across Europe in the years the war ensued. Through harrowing adventures these men and their families made their way to displaced persons camps and eventually across the ocean to freedom in North America in 1949. This is the story of the Ukrainian spirit that never gave up, a story of incredible heroism - the story of ‘Living Strings’.

The story will focus on Ukraine’s national instrument, the bandura - the centerpiece and heartbeat being the history of the Ukrainian Bandurist Chorus. Sequences in the documentary will include a historical retrospective of the bandura, interviews with past and present members of the UBC and renowned bandurists in North America and Ukraine. Plans include coverage of the UBC in concert, filming of North American bandura camps for children, combined with archival film footage - all portrayed through a geographical re-trace of the path the early Chorus followed on their musical journey through Ukraine, Germany, Austria, and eventually to freedom in North America.

Sequences in the documentary will include a historical retrospective of the bandura, interviews with past and present members of the UBC and renowned bandurists in North America and Ukraine. Plans include coverage of the UBC in concert, filming of North American bandura camps for children, combined with archival film footage - all portrayed through a geographical re-trace of the path the early Chorus followed on their musical journey through Ukraine, Germany, Austria, and eventually to freedom in North America.

The film will provide an educational as well as entertaining, informative and emotionally gripping perspective....................

To read and learn more about this documentary, please visit www.livingstrings.net

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DIVINE LITURGY

On Sunday, June 13, 2010, the Ukrainian Bandurist Chorus will sing the Divine Liturgy at St. Mary The Protectress Cathedral Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral in Southfield, Michigan. The Divine Liturgy will begin at 10:00am.

Sunday, June 13, 2010 at 10:00am
St. Mary The Protectress Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral
21931 Evergreen Road
Southfield, MI 48075

UBC RETURNS TO STRATFORD

Sunday August 8, 2010 at 7:30pm
St Andrew's Church
25 St. Andrew Street
Stratford, ON

To find our more information on the festival, and to
purchase tickets for the UBC’s performance, please visit:

www.stratfordsummermusic.ca

The Ukrainian Bandurist Chorus is currently planning a concert series for 2011. Stay tuned to www.bandura.org for updates.

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Requirements
Male voices only / General Musical Knowledge /
One prepared vocal song / Ukrainian Language skills preferable / Commitment to High Quality Musical Artistry

To schedule an appointment and get more information, please call Anatoli Murha at 734.658.6452 or e-mail ubcauditions@bandura.org

The Ukrainian Bandurist Chorus (UBC), recipients of the prestigious Taras Shevchenko Prize for Artistic Achievement awarded by Ukraine's Cabinet of Ministers, schedules auditions for male vocalists or bandura players interested in becoming members of the Chorus.

In order to achieve even higher goals and greater artistic excellence, we are looking for qualified and dedicated musicians to join the ensemble as we write the new chapters in the rich history of the bandurist brethren. The UBC is also looking for singers and bandurists who have the potential and dedication to be part of this unique ensemble that is more than just a singing group. We are committed to the development of young people who have an interest in improving their musical skills while working with the Ukrainian Bandurist Chorus once they pass the audition process.

Please watch this space for the upcoming schedules or subscribe to our newsletter.

This page was last modified on June 9, 2010