Reminiscent of the great Ukrainian Kozaks of old, a 40-man strong Toronto-based group of singers and bandura players will descend on Mississauaga to sing songs that once inspired Ukrainian men, young and old, to pick up arms and march off to war.

With this rich and colourful portion of Ukrainian history in mind, the Canadian Bandura Foundation is presenting a major Ukrainian concert in Mississauga on May 12 featuring the newly established Toronto Bandurist Capella. Traditional folk, classical and religious songs will be performed.

Under the direction of Australian-born Victor Mishalow, a world-renowned virtuoso bandura player, the Capella will re-enact highly spirited songs about war, women, God and love of the Ukrainian motherland, subjects sure to touch almost every member in the audience who will savety hoot, holler and stomp for more, as have audiences in the past.

Capella Director Mishalow has played in front of royalty and prime ministers around the world, including a special London performance for the Queen of England. He was recently awarded the top standing of Merited Artist of Ukraine by Ukraine’s President Leonid Kuchma.

Based entirely in Toronto, the Toronto Bandurist Capella is made up of Ukrainian Canadian students and working and retired men of Ukrainian heritage. It is a unique choral group which combines the sound of a male chorus with the orchestral accompaniment of the bandura, Ukraine’s national folk instrument. The concert bandura instrument has 65 strings in five octaves.

This special performance will be held at 7:30 pm, Sunday, May 12, at the Living Arts Centre, Royal Bank Theatre in Missisauga. Tickets are available at the Box Office, 905-306-6000.

The Canadian Bandura Foun-dation was incorporated in 1998 as a non-profit organization to provide financial support to groups and individuals of Ukrainian heritage, interested and dedicated to preserving, developing and promoting musical art.

The Foundation encourages and promotes the study and development of music, choral, classical and fine arts, ensures high cultural standards with a Canadian and international perspective, provides assistance to registered organizations in Canada who promote education in music, musicology and choral music.

For more information contact

Oksana Rewa, President, Canadian Bandura Foundation, Toronto at 416-424-4430 or Victor Mishalow, Director, Toronto Bandurist Capella, 416-244-4012.