Vesnivka Voices Rejoice at Christmas Time

By John Pidkowich

Harmonious angelic sounds rejoicing over the Birth of Christ filled Islington United Church in Toronto, created by the Vesnivka Choir at its Annual Christmas Concert on Jan. 11. Vesnivka was joined by the Toronto Ukrainian Male Chamber Choir, both under the musical direction of conductor Halyna Kvitka Kondracki and piano accompaniment by Janna Routsinska. Special Guest Michael Kostowskyj performed a musical interlude on the bandura, the Ukrainian national instrument.

This year’s concert choir soloists were Anna Yanchyshyn in Nova radist’ stala (Glad  Tidings) and Nova radost’ (Earth Today Rejoices), Tetyana Shkymba in Hey, pytalas’ya knyazha korona (The Queen’s Court) and Natalia Lysiak in Spy, Isusy (Sleep Baby Jesus), a highly popular contemporary carol in Ukraine gaining interest abroad in Ukrainian communities. Also, this year, the audience sing-along numbers with the choir were Nebo i zemlya (Heaven and Earth Rejoice) and Dobryj vechir tobi (Good Evening, Master of the House).

Two classes of Ukrainian Christmas music were performed at the concert. According to the programme notes, Kolyadky (Carols) are sung starting Sviat Vechir (Holy Christmas Eve) Jan. 6 (according to the Julian calendar) with the appearance of the first evening star. They continue to be sung in church complementing traditional liturgical texts and hymns, until Theophany (Epiphany) on Jan. 19. Many of these songs have ancient roots and developed biblical themes celebrating the Nativity but retain pagan elements with references to nature and historical events. Schedrivky (New Year’s songs of good tidings) also have pagan roots, but are rarely sung in a liturgical setting. These charming folk songs with rhythmic melodies have secular themes/values, expressing wishes for good health, wealth, bounty and happiness.

On that note, the “icing on the cake” to most enjoyable concert music, was the invitation to guests to share fellowship and holiday spirit after the concert with choir members over coffee, tea, home-made sweets and treats.  

Kolyadky and Schedrivky are an important part of Vesnivka’s Choir repertoire and have been sung annually since the ensemble was established in 1965. Several songs performed in the concert have been arranged by Canadian composers Z. Lawryshyn, L. Kuzmenko and E. Pip, among others. The Vesnivka Choir Christmas Concert was sponsored by So Use Credit Union. The choir gratefully acknowledges the continued support from the Ontario and Toronto Arts Councils, the Ukrainian Canadian Foundation of Taras Shevchenko, and other foundations and corporate supporters.