Ukrainian Bandura Chorus set to begin North American tour (09/14/97)

Ukrainian Bandura Chorus set to begin North American tour

by Wolodymyr Murha

DETROIT - The Ukrainian Bandura Chorus (Kapella Bandurystiv), in preparation for its fall tour of the eastern U.S. and Canada, is undergoing an administrative and artistic revitalization.

Membership in the chorus has always implied a monumental commitment: rehearsals demand travel to Detroit 15 to 20 times a year; concert tours demand one to two weeks of precious vacation time; practicing at home is a time-consuming task.

From the 1950s to the mid 1970s, 95 percent of chorus members made Detroit their home. Today membership is diversified; only 35 percent reside in the Detroit area, while Cleveland and Toronto combined make up 50 percent of the chorus. New York, New Jersey, Philadelphia, New Haven, Conn., London, Ontario, Edmonton, Winnipeg, and Marquette represent the balance.

While members volunteer their time, travel and lodging costs are reimbursed. Financial and scheduling challenges are common concerns for the chorus, but these must always take a back seat to preparation and performance.

Improved communications through computerization, outreach programs, music camps/workshops and increased member involvement in core business matters has given the chorus a needed boost. As older members retire from a rigorous rehearsal schedule and tour demands, younger enthusiasts fill the void. Those who test the waters quickly realize the depth of the required commitment.

The Ukrainian Bandurist Chorus' artistic revitalization has been inspired by its new maestro, Oleh Mahly, by newly commissioned music and by new talent. Recently recruited bandura players and singers, ranging in age from the teens to mid-30s, have eagerly contributed to this revitalization. Some have joined the chorus for the joy of performance; others to fulfill their mission in the Ukrainian community.

The reasons vary, but one factor overrides all others: a strong emotional attachment to the Ukrainian heritage and identity.

The desire to perpetuate the Ukrainian culture through song and bandura is the chorus' mission, and to serve the public is an ongoing and cherished commitment.

The chorus is always looking for talent that can meet its challenges. For more information, look for our home page at http://www.brama.com/bandura/. A fall tour will bring the Ukrainian Bandura Chorus to the East Coast and Canada. The itinerary is as follows: October 3, Pittsburgh, Carnegie Free Library Music Hall, 7:30 p.m.; October 4, Washington, Fourth Presbyterian Church, Bethesda, Md., 8 p.m.; October 5, New York, Town Hall, 2 p.m.; October 7, South Bound Brook, N.J., Ukrainian Cultural Center, 7:30 p.m.; October 8, Boston, Sanders Theater, Harvard University, 7:30 p.m.; October 9, New Haven, Conn., Woolsey Hall, Yale University, 7:30 p.m.; October 10, Binghamton, N.Y., to be determined, 7:30 p.m.; October 11, Montreal, Salle Claude Champagne, 7:30 p.m.; October 12, Hamilton, Ontario, Mohawk College, Fennell Campus, 7:30 p.m.; November 1, Detroit, Macomb Center, 7:30 p.m.; November 2, Cleveland, to be determined, 4 p.m.

Recently recorded materials in CD and cassette format will be available for the bandurist's tour.

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