In Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the Ukrainian Catholic Church of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary hosted a concert entitled Ukrainian Winter Evenings. The event brought together fans of Ukrainian music from all over the community to listen to local talented performers - the Prometheus Men's Choir and the youngest guests, Ukrainian musicians from North America - the Kobzarska Sich Bandura Ensemble.
This was report by the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Ukrainian Catholic Church.
The event brought together the youngest and most talented Ukrainian musicians in North America, who presented the unique musical traditions of the Ukrainian winter holidays. The centerpiece of the concert was a performance by the Kobzarska Sich Bandura Ensemble, led by artistic director and conductor Nick Hlad.
The ensemble, made up of students from across the continent who come together each year for two-week music intensive camps, performed repertoire that demonstrates the centuries-old history and richness of Ukrainian culture.
"Kobzarska Sich is not just a group of performers, but a summer music camp dedicated to preserving and popularizing the rich traditions of Ukrainian music. Through intensive training and hands-on learning, young musicians are immersed in the art of bandura playing and Ukrainian choral singing, ensuring that these cultural treasures will continue for future generations," said the Ukrainian Bandurist Chorus of North America.
In recent years, the ensemble has performed at the prestigious Old Town School of Folk Music in Chicago, Massey Hall in Toronto with Eurovision winner Ruslana, and Lisner Auditorium in Washington, DC.
The event also featured the Prometheus Men's Choir from Philadelphia, who enchanted the audience with their powerful vocal performances.
In general, the concert featured carols, bandura pieces, and other compositions that conveyed the spirit of the winter holidays. The performances took the audience to the world of beautiful Ukrainian carols and demonstrated the rich traditions of bandura playing and choral art.
Organizers of the event said that funds raised from ticket sales will be used to support future generations of musicians and folklorists of Ukrainian descent in the United States and Canada. The event was a vivid testament to the preservation and popularization of Ukrainian culture abroad.
Photo: Stephen Fartuszok
Author: Inna Mikhno