Bandurist Chorus elects new officers (02/20/00)

Bandurist Chorus elects new officers

by Andrij Bebko

DETROIT - The Ukrainian Bandurist Chorus elected and confirmed a new set of officers at its 25th biannual meeting held here on February 5. Anatoli W. Murha was elected president and will head the new board that will guide the chorus into its sixth decade of perpetuating bandura and choral music in North America.

The other newly elected members are as follows: Bohdan Sklierenko, first vice-president; Joe Gulawsky, second vice-president; Mykola Schidowka, secretary; Mr. Murha, treasurer; Dr. Ivan Kernisky, archivist; Ivan Kytasty, chorus elder; Andrij Sklierenko, Ihor Kusznir, Roman Skypakewych and Zenon Chaikovsky, associate members.

The membership also unanimously agreed to retain Maestro Oleh Mahlay as artistic director and conductor, with Oleh Moroz, Orest Sklierenko, and Andrew Birko completing the Artistic Council.

The Ukrainian Bandurist Chorus was formed in Kyiv in 1918. It survived both Soviet and Nazi occupations, and since 1949 has enjoyed freedom of artistic expression in the United States of America.

The male chorus is based in Detroit, but has members throughout North America - in Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Ontario and Alberta.

The chorus has preserved and promoted the art of the bandura by amassing an extensive discography, and by touring North America, Europe, and Australia. The Ukrainian Bandurist Chorus are laureates of the Shevchenko State Prize, Ukraine's highest cultural award.

For more information on the bandura and the Ukrainian Bandurist Chorus visit the website at http://www.bandura.org/.

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