By Lesia Komorowsky
“Singing is a treasure that gains greater
value when shared with others,” says Halyna Kvitka Kondracki, the founding
director and conductor of
To celebrate its 40th season, the choir has organized a series of events for 2005/2006, including an Anniversary Gala, concerts and the launch of a new CD.
The
first event, the gala and banquet, emceed by choir member Irene Soltys, took
place on October 15 at the Trident Banquet Hall in the UNF Community Centre in
During
the evening, choristers and alumni had a chance to reflect on the choir’s
history. A commemorative booklet published for the occasion outlines the major
events over the years, from the early days when Vesnivka started as a girl’s
choir to its present status as an accomplished ensemble that has earned
critical acclaim both internationally and in
Photos
from numerous concerts in cities around the world, including
Sharanevych,
who has sung with Vesnivka since the 1970s, spoke about memorable tours, among
them a competition in
Wasley,
Vesnivka’s longest-standing chorister, noted that, over the years, they have
sung at each others’ weddings and, sadly, at funerals. “It’s a spirit of
belonging, a community that we share,” she said. And, although it is sometimes difficult to go
to practice on a Tuesday night after a long day of work or with your children,
it is also an opportunity to feel part of something bigger,” she added,
reflecting on the choir’s role in her
life.
Another
speaker, Reverend Father Luckyj, travelled with Vesnivka to
Wolodymyr
Luciw, the President of the St. Nicholas Ukrainian Church Parish Council spoke
as a representative of the parish at which the choir has held its practices and
sung liturgies annually since its inception.
Throughout
the evening, Soltys read out numerous tributes and salutations sent from arts
groups, such as the Canada Council for the Arts, Ukrainian institutions and
political dignitaries – ranging from the Prime Minister Paul Martin to
Gala
attendees viewed a video presentation of the choir’s highlights, prepared by
the choir’s administrator Nykola Parzei.
The
program would not have been complete without a few words from Kondracki, who
thanked Vesnivka choristers, her family and, in particular, her mother
Yaroslava Zorych for their support. Iryna Nabereznyj, President of Vesnivka,
together with two past presidents, Ivanka Podilchak and Slava Woloshyn,
presented Kondracki with a floral bouquet and commemorative gift – a framed
compilation of all of the choir’s concert posters, album and CD covers.
And,
what would a Vesnivka celebration be without song? All assembled sang “Otche
Nash” before sitting down to a delicious dinner. Later, the Toronto
Ukrainian Male Chamber Choir (an ensemble recently founded by Kondracki)
performed two songs.
When
the formalities ended, guests were invited to dance to the sound of Vesnivka
singing “Beautiful Dream” and “My Kyiv,” which was following by an evening of
dancing to the music of Liberty Silver.
With
the momentous gala over, Vesnivka is now turning its attention to the next
celebratory event, the first concert of its 40th anniversary season. The concert, entitled “Women in Song,” takes
place on Saturday, November 19.
Vesnivka,
along with the Toronto Ukrainian Male Chamber Choir, will present a program
featuring a selection of music by four contemporary Ukrainian female composers:
Lesia Dytchko, Hanna Havryletz, Bohdana Filts and Larysa Kuzmenko. Three new
pieces of music – a choral work by Havryletz called “Krokoveye Koleso,” a
choral work by Kuzmenko and a soprano solo work – will be premiered.
Havryletz,
graduated from the Lviv Conservatory in 1982. She then continued her studies
with composer Myroslav Skoryk at the Kyiv Conservatory and along with several
choral works, has written pieces for orchestras, string quartets, chamber
cantatas and lyrical romances for soloists.
“Krokoveye
Koleso”, which was commissioned by Vesnivka for its 40th anniversary, blends
ancient and timeless melodic lines with a contemporary flavour. Another highlight will be Kuzmenko’s new work
“Hope.” Set to the words of poetess Lesia Ukrainka, it exemplifies the
composer’s extraordinary sensitivity to the female voice.
A
second new piece by Kuzmenko for solo will be sung by soprano Katerina
Tchoubar. The Kyiv-born singer and graduate of the Royal Conservatory of Music
in
The
Canadian-born Kuzmenko is a distinguished composer, pianist and lecturer at the
Faculty of Music at the
Kuzmenko
has collaborated with Vesnivka for over 25 years. During this time, the choir
has commissioned a number of her works, a sample of which will also be
performed at the upcoming concert.
The
third composer featured, Lesia Dytchko, is an executive member of the Ukrainian
Composers Association and a graduate of the
The fourth composer,
Filts, graduated from Lviv Conservatory and has studied with Stanislav
Liudkevych and Levko Revutsky. One of Ukraine's most popular composers, she is
a senior associate at the Institute of Arts, Folklore and Ethnography at the
Ukrainian Academy of Sciences and the author of numerous published
musicological studies. A prolific composer of many choral works, Filts has also
written pieces for orchestra, piano, violin, cello, bandura and solo voice.
Vesnivka’s new
Christmas CD “Rejoice!” will be available for purchase at the “Women in Song”
concert.
This
concert, presented by one of the country’s most venerable choirs, is sure to be
a unique listening experience.
“Women in Song” takes place on November 19 at