Ukrainian Bandurist Chorus holds biennial meeting, elects new officers (04/09/06)

Ukrainian Bandurist Chorus holds biennial meeting, elects new officers

by Bohdan Pryjma

WARREN, Mich. - The Ukrainian Bandurist Chorus elected and confirmed a new set of officers at its biennial meeting on February 18 at the Ukrainian Cultural Center. The meeting highlighted chorus projects over the past two years, which included the 2004 Spring Concert Series on the East Coast, a performance at the internationally renowned Stratford Summer Music Festival, a joint Christmas concert with Metropolitan Opera soloist Paul Plishka, and a tour of western Canada in November of 2005.

The meeting also celebrated the 10th anniversary of Oleh Mahlay's activity as artistic director and conductor. Over the course of 10 years, Maestro Mahlay has reinvigorated the ranks with new singers and young bandura players while challenging the entire membership with new repertoire and exciting artistic projects.

UBC President Anatoli W. Murha, and UBC Assistant Conductor Ihor Kusznir, presented Maestro Mahlay with a framed portrait of "Hamalia" from the entire membership. The membership ardently agreed to retain Maestro Mahlay as artistic director and conductor, with Ihor Kusznir, Orest Sklierenko and George Metulynsky completing the Artistic Council.

Mr. Murha was re-elected president of the executive board for a third term. Mr. Murha, 28, a real estate agent, has been a member of the chorus since 1992, when he was only 14 years old. In addition to these duties, Mr. Murha is also the administrator of the summer music program Kobzarska Sich Bandura Camp.

The other newly elected members are as follows: First Vice-President John Kytasty, Second Vice-President Andrij Sklierenko, Secretary Bohdan Pryjma, Treasurer Volodymyr Murha, Archivist Mykola Newmerzyckyj; Chorus Elder Bohdan Sklierenko, Canadian Representative George Burtniak, Cleveland Representative Nicholas Schidowka, Detroit Representative Roman Skypakewych and East Coast Representative Ihor Kusznir.

When one first steps into the UBC, they are granted the status as "candidate for membership." For a period of two years, the candidate must meet artistic requirements set forth by the Artistic Council. Once that person has met those requirements, he can be elevated to active member by a majority vote of the active members. The UBC class of 2006 inducted the following: Volodymyr Brechun of Toronto, Teodor Bodnar of New Jersey, Petro Stoykiv and Lyubomyr Yakimiv of Cleveland, as well as Torontonians Stefan Rewa and his brother Kyrylo Rewa, and Bohdan Koshil.

At the end of the meeting, both Messrs. Mahlay and Murha addressed the membership, recalling their earliest memories of the UBC. They have worked together for six years and continue to facilitate new ideas and set high standards, while maintaining the traditions and legacy of the Ukrainian Bandurist Chorus.

For more information on the bandura and the UBC readers may visit the website at www.bandura.org or call 734-658-6452.

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