A concert by the Ukrainian choir “Homin,” already described as a phenomenon of the modern Ukrainian music scene, took place in Chicago. The ensemble, which became part of the Lviv Organ Hall in 2023, arrived in the United States as part of a large international tour and presented its retro-song program “Tsei khor, tsei khor.” The performance at the Harris Theater in the heart of the city gathered a full audience of admirers of Ukrainian culture, turning into an event that went far beyond a typical concert.
This was reported by Radio UA Chicago.
The “Homin” choir is distinguished by its unique performance style — familiar songs are presented in new interpretations filled with emotion, depth, and energy. Thanks to this approach, the ensemble quickly gained popularity and recognition as one of Ukraine’s leading choirs. A new stage in its development began under the direction of Vadym Yatsenko, with a renewed lineup and ambitious creative goals.
The Chicago concert became part of a large tour covering Ukraine, Europe, the United States, and Canada. According to the director of the Lviv Organ Hall, Taras Demko, the ensemble has already performed hundreds of concerts, each carrying not only artistic value but also a cultural mission.
“We use every opportunity, every stage, every performance to promote Ukrainian music and Ukraine,” he noted.
The retro-song program holds special significance for the ensemble, as it brings together different generations and regions of Ukraine. The repertoire includes works by Volodymyr Ivasyuk, Yurii Rybchynskyi, Anatolii Horchynskyi, and other iconic authors. An important part of the choir’s mission is also reclaiming songs that were appropriated or distorted in other countries.
“We return these and other songs to Ukrainian culture, back to people who understand their true artistic value,” Demko emphasized.
Beyond its artistic work, the ensemble is активно involved in charity. Over the past year, the choir has donated about 28 million hryvnias to support Ukrainian soldiers. During the Chicago concert alone, more than $10,000 was raised for Ukraine. Special guests included wounded Ukrainian soldiers undergoing treatment and rehabilitation in the United States.
The concert turned into an emotional unity between performers and the audience. The hall was filled with an атмосфера where hundreds of people experienced the music as a shared moment — singing together, giving standing ovations, and openly expressing their emotions. Well-known songs about love, youth, the Carpathians, and homeland were performed, including “Chervona Ruta,” “Hutsulka Ksenia,” and “Tsei son, tsei son.”
The culmination of the evening was the performance of the song "My Kyiv", during which conductor Vadym Yatsenko asked the audience to imagine their hometown or village. This moment was especially touching, as for many present it was an opportunity to mentally return home.
As a sign of gratitude, the audience presented the choir with a traditional korovai — a symbol of hospitality, unity, and support. This gesture once again demonstrated that Ukrainian culture continues to live and develop far beyond the country’s borders, uniting people around the world.
The concert of the “Homin” choir in Chicago proved that Ukrainian song today is not only art, but also a powerful tool of cultural diplomacy, support, and preservation of national identity.
Photo: Photo: Roman Kost
Author: Danylo Pievchev