Bandurist Chorus elects new board (07/12/98)

Bandurist Chorus elects new board

WARREN, Mich. - The Ukrainian Bandurist Chorus held its 24th biennial organizational meeting recently at the Ukrainian Cultural Center in Warren, Mich. An unprecedented 80 percent of its active membership elected and confirmed a new slate of officers that will guide the chorus into its 50th year (1999) of perpetuating bandura and choral music in North America.

Heading the slate of new officers is President Marko Farion. Dr. Farion, a dentist, has been a member of the Ukrainian Bandurist Chorus (UBC) since 1977.

Also elected into office for the next two years were: First Vice-President Stephen Kohut; Second Vice-President Anatoli Murha; Secretary Jurij Jurkiw; Treasurer Wolodymyr Murha; Archivist Dr. Ivan Kernisky; Chorus Elder Bohdan Sklierenko; Past President Arnold Birko; Honorary President Petro Honcharenko. Members without portfolio are: Roman Skypakewych, Mykola Schidowka and Omelian Helbig.

The membership also unanimously confirmed Maestro Oleh Mahlay as the continuing artistic director with Oleh Moroz, Orest Sklierenko and Andrew Birko completing the Arts Council as members.

Dr. Farion and his wife, Dr. Christine Farion, also a dentist, reside in Warren with their son. Dr. Farion is highly respected as an accomplished bandurist, soloist and bandura teacher. He received bandura and voice training from the late Hryhoriy Kytasty from 1975 to 1983. In 1984 he received a bachelor's degree with a minor in music from Case Western University in Cleveland. He has also had voice training with accomplished vocal teachers such as Gretchen Garnett, Ruben Caplin, Robert Page and Dena Winter.

Dr. Farion's accomplishments also include solo performances with the Detroit Concert Choir, the Livonia Symphony and University Circle Chorale and at the National Folk Festival in Ukraine. He has performed with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, the Lysenko Chorus, the Canadian Ukrainian Opera Chorus and the Millennium Choir.

In addition to his performances, Dr. Farion has conducted numerous workshops, training sessions and summer music camps for interested bandura players. He was the music director at the Ukrainian Free University in Munich, Germany, and has been a longtime administrator of Kobzarska Sich, the UBC-sponsored bandura camp in Emlenton, Pa.

Dr. Farion has been a member of the Ukrainian Bandurist Chorus Arts Council since 1989; he brings a wealth of choral and administrative experience to the position of UBC president. In accepting the office, Dr. Farion delivered an emotional acknowledgement of the responsibility with which the brotherhood had entrusted him. He thanked everyone for their confidence, and assured all that he would address his duties with pride and vigor.

In becoming the youngest president in UBC history, Dr. Farion emphasized that in the chorus' mission of perpetuating and showcasing Ukrainian musical culture, primarily bandura and choral performance, the standards and demands on the membership would increase. He encouraged all to dedicate themselves wholeheartedly to this effort.

"Our 50 years of work in North America by second- and third-generation bandurists that will be celebrated in 1999," Dr. Farion concluded, "is an achievement that you and I must be committed to honor and celebrate."

For further information regarding the Ukrainian Bandurist Chorus, or to purchase CDs, cassettes, videos and vintage albums, e-mail http:brama.com/bandura, or call (313) 953-0305.