Ukrainian Bandurist Chorus elects officers for two-year term (03/10/02)

Ukrainian Bandurist Chorus elects officers for two-year term

DETROIT - The Ukrainian Bandurist Chorus elected and confirmed a new set of officers at its 26th biennial meeting on February 16, in Detroit. Anatoli W. Murha was elected to a second term as president of the executive board, which will guide the chorus through its sixth decade of perpetuating bandura and choral music in North America.

Newly elected board members are: First Vice President Arnold Birko, Second Vice-President John Kytasty, Secretary Bohdan Pryjma, Treasurer Wolodymyr Murha, Archivist Dr. Ivan Kernisky, Chorus Elder Bohdan Sklierenko, and Associate Members Andrij Sklierenko, Ihor Kusznir, Roman Skypakewych and Mykola Schidowka.

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

The meeting highlighted chorus projects over the past two years, which included joint Christmas concerts with the Vesnivka Choir of Toronto, a sacred music concert series, and a short tour of Ukraine during the country's 10th anniversary of Independence. The UBC officially represented the Ukrainian American community at various concerts in Kyiv.

For more information on the bandura and the chorus readers may visit their website at www.bandura.org, or call (734) 658-6452.

The Ukrainian Bandurist Chorus was formed in Kyiv in 1918. It survived both the Soviet and the Nazi occupations of Ukraine, and since 1949, has enjoyed the freedom of artistic expression in the United States of America. This male chorus is based in Detroit, but has members throughout North America: Alberta, Ontario, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. 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 is a laureate of the Shevchenko State Prize, Ukraine's highest cultural award.

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