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Choir Home & Schedule
"[O]ur souls are moved ... more piously and powerfully when [sacred] words are sung than when they are not sung." - St. Augustine
Come join the church choir! All are welcome! For recordings of the lovely music we get to sing, please have a listen (and if you wish, download scores) at the choir's:
where you will find the liturgical works of many Ukrainian masters.
The Church Choir sings choral liturgies in both Ukrainian and in English. Now is the perfect time to join as we prepare for the new Fall season. We are learning a number of new liturgical pieces this year.
If you've ever thought about singing in a choir, or just admired one from afar, come to a rehearsal, or just come up to the loft and give us a whirl! There are no auditions, and all are always welcome. Rehearsals are held Sundays between liturgies at approximately 10:15 AM.
Upcoming schedule:
Join us in lifting our voices in praise of The Lord! If you have any questions, please contact us at ucns.hfchoir@gmail.com
Featured recordings:
This "Отче наш/Our Father" was composed by Mykhailo Verbytsky (1815-1870), who is best known as the composer of the Ukrainian National Anthem. His "Отче наш" (Y1) has been a beloved part of the Holy Family choir repertoire since its founding: (mp3)
This Litany of Fervent Supplication (mp3) was composed by Alexander Koshetz (1875 - 1944), composer and the conductor of the Ukrainian Republic Capella. His Capella's tours of the west had been phenomenally successful. It was on these international tours in the 1920's that Koshetz introduced the world to Mykola Leontovych's Shchedryk - now known to many as Carol of the Bells. While on tour he and his choir were stranded in exile with the fall of the Ukrainian government - and so he spent the rest of his life in New York City and Winnipeg, his petitions to visit his homeland denied by the Soviets.
Background and a little history:
In its current incarnation under co-directors Stepan Szyszka and Oksana Lassowsky, the choir has been working with Catholic University of America student-conductors whose contributions have been invaluable:
2013 - 2014 - Alexander Ruhling
2013 - John Henderson
2012 - 2013 - Paul Campbell
2011 - 2012, and throughout 2013 - Joshua Armenta
These co-directors and conductors continue the Holy Family choral tradition established by Josaphat Pachowsky & Matthew Berko in the 1950's. The choir has been singing ever since - often regular Sunday services, though over some periods of time convening only for the high holidays. The choir owes a debt of gratitude to all who at various times led the choir, whose legacy the choir continues to uphold: Josaphat Pachowsky, Matthew Berko, Petro Oryshkewych, Zenon Nizankowsky, Eugene Gill, Mykola Kormeluk, Lubomyr Kormeluk, Lesia Bihun, Roman Serbyn, Volodymyr Rogalsky, Yaromyr Oryshkevych.
Співаємо на славу Бога! We sing for the glory of the Lord!