The Ukrainian Institute of Contemporary Art (UIMA) in Chicago announced the start of an artistic residency for the newly formed Glorious Choir under the direction of conductor Dana Chepil. From now on, the choir will become part of the institution’s artistic space.
This was report UIMA.
As noted by the Institute, the partnership with the choir opens up new opportunities for new creative collaborations, cultural exchange, and musical projects that will enrich the cultural environment and community of Chicago. It will also develop Ukrainian choral art in the diaspora. So from now on, the UIMA space will become a place where, along with exhibitions, rehearsals and concerts of the choir will take place.
“This exciting partnership opens the door to inspired artistic collaborations, vibrant cultural exchange, and unforgettable musical experiences that will elevate our community and enrich the cultural landscape. We look forward with great anticipation to the exceptional creativity, passion, and craftsmanship that this residency will bring to UIMA,” said UIMA President Motrya Melnyk.
In particular, on November 14, the UIMA Gallery hosted the concert “Ukrainian Soul in Song,” which was the choir’s debut performance as part of the residency with its own concert program. The event attracted numerous visitors.
The “Glorious” ensemble, led by Bohdana (Dana) Chepil, presented a program that combined modern interpretations of Ukrainian folk songs, Ukrainian retro, and works well known to different generations of the diaspora. Among them, “Moon in the Sky”, “If I Had Eagle Wings”, “Kolomyyki”, “Chervona Ruta” and others received high ratings from the audience. Part of the program was played as an encore.
Choral art has long traditions in the Ukrainian community of Chicago, and, as noted in UIMA, each generation of emigrants contributes to the continuation of this cultural line. The recently created choir “Glorious” has become a new collective that will continue these traditions and at the same time form a modern musical portrait of the diaspora under the leadership of the young conductor Dana Chepil. Thus, the choir united singers with basic and professional musical education in Chicago.
Conductor Dana Chepil, in addition to working with the Glorious choir, directs the St. Nicholas Cathedral Church Choir in Chicago, sings in the Prykarpatsky quintet, and teaches at the Ukrainian school at the St. Joseph Obruchnik parish, developing the choral culture of the Ukrainian community.
UIMA noted that the choristers demonstrate high dedication to creativity, and for many visitors the concert was an opportunity to remember their own family musical traditions.
The institute emphasized that the preservation and support of Ukrainian culture, particularly during a full-scale war, is one of the important areas of its activity. The Glorious choir’s residency will be part of this mission and will contribute to the popularization of Ukrainian choral art in the United States.
Photo: UIMA
Author: Inna Mikhno