BRAMA, March 24, 2001, 8:00am EST

The Bandurist Chorus announces auditions
for the 2001-2002 concert season
by Oleh Mahlay

www.bandura.org

The Ukrainian Bandurist Chorus (UBC), recipients of the prestigious Taras Shevchenko Prize for Artistic Achievement awarded by Ukraine's Cabinet of Ministers, announces a series of audition sites and dates for male vocalists or bandura players interested in becoming members of the Chorus for the 2001-2002 concert season. This upcoming concert season will also coincide with Chorus' preparation for a concert tour of Western Europe in 2003. The UBC last toured the greatest cities of Western Europe almost a half century ago.

Over the course of the many years since the group's inception in 1918, members of this ensemble have performed in front of tens of thousands of adoring fans, presenting bandura and male choral music of the highest quality. The UBC has crossed paths with American and Ukrainian presidents, had adventures throughout the Canadian Rockies, Australia, Europe, Ukraine, left their imprint on unique recordings, and shared the stage with various talented artists such as Paul Plishka, Jack Palance, and bandurist Roman Hrynkiv.

The 2000-2001 concert season has featured a series of sacred music concerts along with joint concerts with the highly acclaimed Toronto based "Vesnivka" female choir. The repertoire for the current season has featured sacred music by masters like Bortniansky, Berezovsky, Dyletskiy, Stetsenko, arrangements by contemporary composers such as Lawryshyn and Kytasty, and the UBC bandura players have been focusing on the development of the Kharkiv bandura technique while expanding their repertoire. Furthermore, the UBC is putting the finishing touches on learning a Ukrainian Divine Liturgy. Once completed, the ensemble's liturgy will present listeners with a wide array of moving Ukrainian sacred music arranged for male voices.

On the horizon is a planned trip to Western Europe. The UBC last toured Europe in 1958, traversing through England, France, Portugal, Spain, Germany, Switzerland, and the Netherlands. What awaits the chorus beyond that may be up to the new members joining the group today.

In order to achieve even higher goals and greater artistic excellence, we are looking for qualified and dedicated musicians to join the ensemble as we write the new chapters in the rich history of the bandurist brethren. The UBC is also looking for singers and bandurists who have the potential and dedication to be part of this unique ensemble that is more than just a singing group. We are committed to the development of young people who have an interest in improving their musical skills while working with the Ukrainian Bandurist Chorus once they pass the audition process.

The Ukrainian Bandurist Chorus will be holding auditions in three major North American cities over the next few months. These auditions will be for both musicians that are ready to perform immediately and other singers that lack experience, but have potential and desire. Those interested in auditioning should be prepared to sing or play a song of their choosing, inform us of their musical background, and have adequate music reading skills. Knowledge of the Ukrainian language is preferred, but not necessarily a requirement.

Auditions will be held in the following cities: Cleveland, OH - Sunday May 6, 2001, 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Contact Zenon Chaikovsky at 216.226.6388); Toronto, ON - Sunday June 3 2001, 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. (Contact Andrij Sklierenko at 905.206.9963); and Detroit, MI - Sunday June 24, 2001, 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. (Contact Anatoli W. Murha at 734.953.0305).

If you are interested, please get in touch with a contact person in the city most convenient to you. If someone you know is ready for the challenge, let them know about this opportunity. Taking part in the ensemble's artistic challenges, becoming a part of the rich history of the UBC, performing on the greatest stages of the world, and working with talented individuals from around the continent is a great opportunity. We can only continue and build upon the artistic successes of the group by bringing talented and dedicated people on board.

I look forward to meeting you and hearing your voice, bandura, or both.
(For more information on the UBC, visit us at www.bandura.org.)

Oleh Mahlay is the artistic director of the Ukrainian Bandurist Chorus

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