2006 February

BIENNIAL MEETING

UKRAINIAN BANDURIST CHORUS ELECTS NEW OFFICERS; CELEBRATES MASTERO MAHLAY’S 10 YEARS AS ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

The Ukrainian Bandurist Chorus elected and confirmed a new set of officers at its biennial meeting on February 18, 2006 in Warren, Michigan at the Ukrainian Cultural Center. The meeting highlighted Chorus projects over the past two years, which included the 2004 Spring Concert Series on the East Coast, a performance at the internationally renowned Stratford Summer Music Festival, joint Christmas with Metropolitan Opera soloist Paul Plishka, and the Chorus' tour of western Canada in November of 2005.

The meeting also celebrated the 10th anniversary of Maestro Oleh Mahlay as Artistic Director and Conductor. Over the course of 10 years, Maestro Mahlay has reinvigorated the ranks with new singers and young bandura players while challenging the entire membership with new repertoire and exciting artistic projects. UBC President Anatoli W. Murha, and UBC Assistant Conductor Ihor Kusznir, presented Maestro Mahlay with a framed portrait of “Hamalia” from the entire membership. The membership ardently agreed to retain Maestro Oleh Mahlay as Artistic Director and Conductor, with Ihor Kusznir, Orest Sklierenko, and George Metulynsky completing the Artistic Council.

UBC President Anatoli W. Murha and UBC Artistic Director and Conductor Oleh Mahlay

Mr. Anatoli W. Murha was re-elected President of the Executive Board for a third term. Mr. Murha, 28, a real estate agent, has been a member of the Chorus since 1992, when he was only 14 years old. In addition to these duties, Murha is also the Administrator of the summer music program Kobzarska Sich Bandura Camp.

The other newly-elected members are as follows: First Vice President, John Kytasty; Second Vice President, Andrij Sklierenko; Secretary, Bohdan Pryjma; Treasurer, Volodymyr Murha; Archivist, Mykola Newmerzyckyj; Chorus Elder, Bohdan Sklierenko; Canadian Representative, George Burtniak, Cleveland Representative, Nicholas Schidowka; Detroit Representatives, Roman Skypakewych, and East Coast Representative, Ihor Kusznir.

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 Artistic Council. Once that person has met those requirements, they can be elevated to active member by a majority vote amongst the active members. The UBC class of 2006 inducted the following: Volodymyr Brechun of Toronto, Teodor Bodnar of New Jersey, Petro Stoykiv and Lyubomyr Yakimiv of Cleveland, and from Toronto Stefan Rewa and his brother Kyrylo Rewa, and Bohdan Koshil.

At the end of the meeting, both Mahlay and Murha recalled their earliest memories of the UBC when addressing the membership. They have worked together for six years and continue to facilitate new ideas and set high standards while maintaining the traditions and legacy of the Ukrainian Bandurist Chorus.

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2006 March

TORONTO PREMIERE OF EUROPEAN TOUR DOCUMENTARY

Following up on the release of the CD European Tour: Historic Live Recordings, the UBC has released a documentary from its 2003 whirlwind tour of Europe. The documentary is available in both DVD and VHS formats. For viewing audiences, it will be a rare look into the workings of the UBC that sheds light on not just the tour, but gives a glimpse of the UBC's rich history. The UBC had the unique opportunity to work with renowned picture editor James Ho Lim for this project.

This musical and visual montage of the UBC is narrated by well known veteran actor Kenneth Welsh. Welsh, of Ukrainian descent, has a long and distinguished film and television career. Mr. Welsh career highlights include roles in major motion pictures such as The Three Musketeers, Absolute Power, The Aviator, and Our Fathers. On television, Welsh has appeared in Law and Order, The Practice, and The X Files.

The Toronto premiere took place on Saturday, March 4 at St. Vldimir's Institute on Spadina. UBC member Orest Sklierenko welcomed guests and was followed by welcoming remarks by UBC President Anatoli Murha, and UBC Artistic Director Oleh Mahlay. Editor James Ho Lim shared his experience in working on the documentary. In addition to the premiere, UBC member Orest Sushko presented the Livings Strings Documentary work in progress.

Guests also enjoyed the Bandura Exhibit at St. Vladimir's Institute. Banduras of various genre and time were displayed in St. Vladimir's Museum.

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2006 April

Resonance: A World Music Festival

The KOBZARI ENSEMBLE of the UKRAINIAN BANDURIST CHORUS was featured at the Resonance: A World Music Festival on Saturday, April 29th at 3:00pm. Resonance was sponsored by Detroit Avenue Arts.

The KOBZARI ENSEMBLE of the UKRAINIAN BANDURIST CHORUS is made up of active members of the UBC for select performances. Typically, 12 to 15 members will perform as opposed to the normal full ensemble of about 45.

Read an article from the Cleveland Plain Dealer about the festival

 

The basses. Pre-concert warm up. (L to R) Ivan Kernisky, Bohdan Pryjma, Bohdan Dubas, Danylo Terleckyj, and Petro Stoykiv

In concert

Finale

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2006 May

Nardin Park United Church

The Ukrainian Bandurist Chorus was invited by Nardin Park United Methodist Church of Farmington Hills, Michigan to give a performance as part of Nardin Park's 2005 - 2006 concert season. Melvin Rookus, Musical Director of Nardin Park, first heard of the UBC through the Stratford Summer Music Festival. The UBC performed at the Startford Festival in July of 2004.

The UBC was enthusiastically greeted by a full house of 650 people. The audience was entertained with folk songs, sacred music, Amazing Grace and the ever vibrant Bayda.

Read an article from the Observer and Eccentric Newspapers about the concert

The bandura players wait. (L to R) George Metulynsky, Kyrylo Rewa, Anatoli Murha, Orest Sklierenko, Volodymyr Babicky, and Michael Serdiuk

A view from the balcony

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2006 May

Pittsburgh International Folk Festival

On Friday, May 26th the Ukrainian Bandurist Chorus "Kobzari Ensemble" traveled to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to take part in the 50th Pittsburgh International Folk Festival. Festival Vice-Chairwoman Luba Hlutkowsky and Ukrainian community activist had invited the UBC to perform and represent Ukraine. Under the roof of the Pittsburgh Convention Center over 2,500 festival attendees experienced the Kobzari Ensemble in a multicultural setting of cultural displays. Many of Pittsburgh's ethnic communities participated to create a vibrant and colorful atmosphere.

UBC member Mykola Newmerzyckyj singing God Bless America to open the festival

The Kobzari Ensemble of the Ukrainian Bandurist Chorus

UBC Artistic Director and Conductor Oleh Mahlay performing a duma

 

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2006 September

UKRAINIAN FUTURE CREDIT UNION 45th ANNIVERSARY

On Saturday, September 23rd the Ukrainian Bandurist Chorus was featured at the CONCERT-DINNER-DANCE in celebration of Ukrainian Future Credit Union's 45th Anniversary. The event was held at the Ukrainian Cultural Center in Warren, Michigan.

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2006 November

U of M vs. OSU SHOWDOWN FOOTBALL FUNDRAISER

On Saturday November 18th, the Ukrainian Bandurist Chorus and the Ukrainian-Museum Archives hosted a fundraiser that featured the University of Michigan Wolverines vs. the Ohio State Buckeyes. Guests surrounded the big screen to watch one of college footballs biggest rivalries. Proceeds from the event go to assist programs of the Ukrainian Bandurist Chorus and Ukrainian Museum-Archives.

The Buckeys defeated the Wolverines by a score of 42 - 39.

67TH ANNIVERSARY BANQUET OF THE UKRAINIAN GRADUATES OF DETROIT AND WINDSOR

On Sunday, November 19, 2006 the Ukrainian Bandurist Chorus performed for the annual Ukrainian Graduates of Detroit and Windsor banquet which is honored Mastero Oleh Mahlay as "The Ukrainian of the Year." In its 67th year, the Ukrainian Graduates of Detroit and Windsor present scholarship awards to students from the Detroit and Windsor area. In addition, each year the Ukrainian Graduates of Detroit and Windsor also honor a person from the community with their "Ukrainian of the Year" award.

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2006 Bandurna Rozmova Duet

The Bandurna Rozmova Duet of Taras Lazurkevych and Oleh Sozansky, two of the most accomplished bandura players in the world, visited North America this year. The Ukrainian Bandurist Chorus sponsored concerts in Detroit and Cleveland for the duet. Bandurna Rozmova also presented various concerts throughout the midwest and eastern United States, and in Ontario and Quebec, Canada. In addition, they were guest instructors at the annual Kobzarska Sich Bandura Camp program which is sponsored by the Ukrainian Bandurist Chorus.

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2006 December

UBC CHRISTMAS PARTY AND FUNDRAISER

On Saturday, December 9, 2006 the Ukrainian Bandurist Chorus held a Christmas party and Fundraiser at St. Andrew's grove in Parma, Ohio. that brought together over 200 people! The event, co-sponsored by North Coast Catering of St. Andrew's and the Cleveland Friends of the Ukrainian Bandurist Chorus, featured a live performance of Ukrainian carols by members of the Ukrainian Bandurist Chorus. The party and fundraiser also featured the premiere of Bayda, the newest recording of the Ukrainian Bandurist Chorus.

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