Saskatoon's Voloshky ready to release new recording of Ukrainian music (10/08/00)

Saskatoon's Voloshky ready to release new recording of Ukrainian music

SASKATOON - The female vocal trio Voloshky is releasing its third album of Ukrainian music. The album, titled simply "A Christmas Album," is being produced in conjunction with CBC Radio, Regina, which sponsored the recording session.

With this third album the vocalists share with music lovers their a cappella renditions of some of the best-loved Ukrainian carols, including a seldom-heard composition of "Boh Predvichnyi." Often described as a "natural blend," these three voices' harmonies can be truly appreciated in their purest form on this album, which culminates 10 years of public performances for the trio.

The association with CBC/Radio Canada began in 1998 when Voloshky were invited to represent Ukrainian culture at a live multicultural Christmas concert for the benefit of the Children's Wish Foundation titled "Waiting for the Star." The concert was later broadcast nationally on both English and French radio programs.

The invitation was repeated for the 1999 concert, which enabled the trio to prepare more carols for public performance.

Bonnie Austring-Winter, performance producer for CBC, stated, "It was a pleasure for us to work with Voloshky. They were definitely one of the highlights of the two concerts. The beauty of the songs and their exquisite harmonies definitely captivated the audience. In fact, my observation was that people were mesmerized. It was our opinion that this music should be made available to a wider audience."

CBC then took the initiative to produce the album, resulting in the April 2000 recording session at its studios with recording engineer Chris Haynes. The recording will be available at Ukrainian music stores this fall.

Tentative plans are being made for a live public performance launch of this album by the Volsohky.

Voloshky will be featured this fall singing on the national CBC radio show "Global Village." In January 2001 Voloshky will present a Ukrainian Christmas tribute on the CBC regional arts program "Gallery."

Voloshky, one of Canada's best-known Ukrainian popular music vocal ensembles, is composed of Nadya Foty, Marusia Kachkowski and Christina Sokyrka of Saskatoon. All three are members of Ukrainian National Association Branch 444. Soyuzivka regulars will remember their Independence Day concert at the resort in 1997.

Voloshky have appeared at most major Ukrainian venues throughout North America, including Canada's National Ukrainian Festival in Dauphin, Manitoba; Verkhovyna Ukrainian Festival in Glen Spey, N.Y.; Vesna Festival and Folkfest in Saskatoon; Hopak in the Park in Edmonton; Jasper Park Lodge Malanka in Jasper, Alberta; Mosaic in Regina, Saskatchewan.

The trio released its first album, "Blossoming," in 1996 and their second, "Fantazia," in 1999. Voloshky have been featured on the television program "Kontakt," as well as CBC radio nationally on the "Max Ferguson Show." Their music has also been broadcast on radio in Kyiv and Kharkiv, Ukraine.

The new Christmas album will be available in both CD and cassette formats at Ukrainian music stores. The album may be ordered by phone by calling 1-800-265-9858.

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