Oleksander Koshetz Choir Presents Walter Klymkiw Scholarship Concert

On Sunday, December 2, the Oleksander Koshetz Choir will hold a concert in honour of the Walter Klymkiw Scholarship at the University of Manitoba. The concert will feature recent scholarship recipients Clinton Kroeker and Ruth Reimer, and the Oleksander Koshetz Choir under the direction of Corinne Kostenuk-Villebrun and the dbut of associate conductors Melitta Mudrij-Zubacz and Myroslava Paches. Musical selections will include the works of Ukrainian Canadian composer Roman Hurko and newly discovered Lemko songs. The Oleksander Koshetz Choir is pleased to acknowledge the support of inaugural scholarship winner and Concert Patron Andriana Chuchman.

The concert will take place at        2:00 p.m. in the Muriel Richardson Auditorium, Winnipeg Art Gallery, 300 Memorial Boulevard. Tickets are $20 and available at Oseredok Ukrainian Cultural and Educational Centre (184 Alexander Ave.), from choir members or at the door.

The Walter Klymkiw Scholarship was established by the Oleksander Koshetz Choir in 1999 to honour their long-time musical director Walter Klymkiw. The Scholarship is presented annually to a student enrolled in the Faculty of Music at the University of Manitoba who is planning for a career in the area of choral conducting. Preference is given to students who demonstrate an interest in Ukrainian choral music.

The Oleksander Koshetz Choir is one of Winnipeg’s most noted community choirs. Founded over 60 years ago, the choir has since gained in reputation, first locally, then nationally and internationally. Under its long-time artistic director and conductor Walter Klymkiw, it has performed several times in Ukraine, Europe and South America. In 1992, the choir became the first cultural entity outside of Ukraine to be awarded the prestigious National State Artist Shevchenko Medal by the government of a free and independent Ukraine. The group was lauded for “meritorious bridging work between Canada and Ukraine and propagation of Ukraine’s musical heritage.” The choir has performed regularly with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra and presented the world premiere of Stankovych’s Black Elegy, broadcast nationally on CBC Radio as part of the world renowned Winnipeg New Music Festival.