Ukrainian Independence Day Concert Melbourne 2013

The Ukrainian community in Melbourne together with many of its friends celebrated the 22^nd anniversary of Ukrainian Independence Day on Sunday 18^th August 2013.  The venue, as in previous years, was at the BMW Edge in Federation Square.

Visitors started arriving before lunch-time, eager to examine the various displays and grab a bowl of borshch or varenyky before the official start.

This year the event coordinator was Peter Mazurcuk, with Taras Galas performing the duties of Master of Ceremonies.  Both are to be commended for so ably organising and running this wonderfully festive event.

The official event commenced shortly after midday with the singing of the Australian and Ukrainian National Anthems and proceeded with a concert extravaganza featuring a variety of artistes and acts.  The following is a summary of the concert.

1              Taras Galas

Welcome and introduction

Australian National Anthem

Ukrainian National Anthem

2              Mathew Guy

Opening Speech

3              Ukrainian Youth Association (CYM) Dancing Ensemble Verchovyna

With 47 years experience, Verchovyna, Melbourne’s Ukrainian Youth Association Dance Ensemble and School has grown to be the largest in Australia and has enthralled audiences worldwide. Having toured extensively in Australia, Canada, Thailand and Ukraine, Verchovyna has continuously strived to illustrate the rich culture of Ukraine with the highest level of passion and spirit…

1. Dance: HOSTESS | ГОСПОДИНЯ

‘Правда люди правда, господиня гарна!’

A Dance from Polissia

Verchovyna Ukrainian Dance School  – Elementary Group

Choreography: Cathy Harper, Andrew Kobas & Lisa Rudewych

Teachers: Cathy Harper, Lisa Rudewych & Michael Popowycz

4             Ukrainian Youth Association (CYM) Choir Cheremosh

“Cheremosh” Mixed Voice Choir was founded in 1975 as part of the Ukrainian Youth Association (CYM/SUM). Some of the original members have continued with the choir because they love to sing….so, not so much “Youth” now…but definitely Ukrainian!
“Cheremosh” has performed at many venues and occasions over the past 33 years but is particularly proud to have toured Ukraine in September 2011, a memorable experience for everyone involved.
The Artistic Director and Conductor is Volodymyr Holovko, who has been awarded the title of Honoured Artist of Ukraine, and the piano accompanist is Khrystyna Holovko.

1. «Радуйтесь, Карпати» муз. М.Гринишина
   Raduytes’ Karpaty             music by M Hrynyshyn
2. «Дівча в сінях»                              Народна пісня               обр. Є. Козака
   Divcha v siniakh stoyalo”               Ukrainian folk song, arranged by Yevhen Kozak
   “The girl on the porch”
3. «Благослови нас, Бохе»            муз. М. Дацка                  сл. В. Квітневого
   Blahoslovy nas, Bozhe                    music by M. Datsko          lyrics by V. Kvitnevyj
   «Bless us, O Lord»
   Soloists: Anna Dackiw and Teklya Jaworski
   Pianist: Khrystyna Holovko

5              Soloist singer Lydia Lesiw

Performer Lydia Lesiw was chosen by Bishop Peter Stasiuk to represent Australia in the International Youth Contemporary Religious Song Competition “Song of the heart 2013” in Lviv, Ukraine where she was received with wide acclaim. Lydia began studying singing with Ms Oksana Bobechko at the Ukrainian Community School in Noble Park and she is the first young person from Australia to participate in the Competition from which she returned just two months ago.

1. Пісня Серця     сл.В.Соломіна, С. Котовського – гімн міжнародного конкурсу
2. Червона Рута   сл. та музика     Володимира Івасюка

6              Dance Ensemble Rukopash

The Ukrainian Rukopash Hopak group from Geelong is led by Mark and Alex Tkaczuk.  Ukrainian Rukopash Hopak provides an opportunity to learn about Ukrainian Kozak history and the practice of traditional Ukrainian martial arts. Practicing martial arts is spiritually and physically beneficial, helping combat many problems associated with contemporary society as a result of a generally sedentary lifestyle.  Rukopash is showcased in a dance-like setting displaying traditional moves and weaponry in a stylized manner.

1. Rukopash Hopak

 

7              Yaroslav with family and friends

Yaroslav has been performing with various Ukrainian choirs and dancing groups for many years.  He is joined by his children Danylo and Cassandra with guest appearance by Halya Kostiuk – a long-time member of the Cheremosh choir.

1. ‘Letu Schure Slovo’ (‘Let the True Word Fly’)
   from a collection of poems written by the leading active member of the Ukrainian community in Noble Park  – Ms Boshena Kovalenko.
   The poem talks about the importance of learning & retaining the Ukrainian language – particularly within the Ukrainian diaspora.
   The music was written by U. Volf with arrangement by Yaroslav Vashenko.
2. “Charivna Srkipka” (“The Enchanted Violin”)
   a fairy-tale love story with lyrics by U Rybchunski, music by I Poklad and arrangement by Yaroslav Vashenko.

8             Ukrainian Youth Association (CYM) Dance ensemble Verchovyna

1. Vinok | Вінок
   A girls spring dance highlighting the beauty of the vinok (garland)
   Choreography: Melanie Moravski Dechnicz, Merited (Performing) Artist of Ukraine

9              Presentations for Ukrainian Language competition in Australia

Awards presented by Yana Ostapenko and Marko Pavlishin

10        Dino Kocic Accordion Solo

Dino Kocic is a is a year 12 student and also a student of the musical director of the Melbourne Accordion Orchestra.  Dino and is the current Australian National Accordion Champion

1. Variations on a Ukrainian theme
2. Basso Ostnato  composed by V. Vlasov from Odessa

11       Combined Men’s choir

The Combined Men’s Choir consists of the male section of “Cheremosh” and the Noble Park men’s choir “Homin”.

1. ”За Україну”
   слова М. Вороног, музика Я. Яролавенка
   диригує заслужений діяч мистецтв України – Володимир Головко
2. ”Ой там за Дунаєм”
   українська козацька пісня

12       Combined Men’s choir accompanied by the Melbourne Accordion Orchestra

1. ”Пісня про Дніпро”
   слова Т. Масенка, музика П. Майбороди
   солісти – Володимир Головко та Йосиф Точинський
   The Melbourne Accordion Orchestra is conducted by Irena Stepko

13       Melbourne Accordion Orchestra

The Melbourne Accordion Orchestra was formed in 2002 and has thrilled and entertained audiences with its exciting performances ever since.  The orchestra is conducted by Iryna Stepko and has been winner of State Accordion Championships, and has also released two CD’s.  The musicians range from professional to dedicated amateur musicians.  The Orchestra includes accordions and other instruments.

1. Spring dance
2. Western Ukrainian dance.

14       Melbourne Accordion Orchestra and Rodyna ensemble

1. Abba Medley

15       Rodyna ensemble

‘Rodyna’ is a Ukrainian word and means ‘extended family’.  Quite a few of Rodyna’s members belong to an extended family and that was an inspiration for the group’s name.
Almost all of Rodyna’s members are of Ukrainian descent.  All of the members were born and spent considerable parts of their lives in various parts of former Yugoslavia and moved to Australia during last 20 years.
Rodyna’s repertoire consists mainly of various Ukrainian traditional songs and also traditional songs from Croatia, Serbia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina.  The ensemble started performing in public in year 2010.
Rodyna operates under the musical directorship of Miroslav Granollic.

1. Tи ж мене підманула ( Ty zh mene pydmanula )
2. Тому коса добре косіть ( Tomu kosa dobre kosit’ )
3. Роспрягайте хлопці коней ( Rosprahayte khloptsi koney )

16      Ukrainian Youth Association (CYM) Verchovyna Dance ensemble

1. HOPAK | ГОПАК

Ukraine’s signature dance
Choreography: Melanie Moravski Dechnicz, Merited (Performing) Artist of Ukraine
Хореографія: Меланія Моравська Дехніч, Заслужений діяч мистецтв України
Artistic Director: Melanie Moravski Dechnicz

                                              I.          Hopak Primary

II.          Hopak Intermediate

III.          Hopak Ensemble

17       Ukrainian Bandurist Ensemble

The bandura is a traditional plucked-string musical instrument from Ukraine which evolved from a line of lute-like instruments in Ukraine.  An 11-th century fresco in Kiev city’s Saint Sofia Cathedral shows a possible ancestor.  The main distinguishing characteristics are the absence of frets, which means that each string can sound only one note, as in a harp, and, secondly, the presence of treble strings stretched over the soundboard, off centre from the bass strings which run along the neck. The result is an asymmetric body.

From 15th to 18th centuries, bandura was played by kobzars (wandering minstrels, usually blind and sometimes led by a child) and kozaks (cossacks, or free warriors).  In the villages and towns, kobzars sang epic songs (dumy) about the people’s exploits and relations with Turks and Tatars, and later of their troubles with the Polish regime.  Because the kobzars were a nationalistic force, the Soviet Union government liquidated them in the 1930s.

The Ukrainian Bandurist Ensemble is directed by Igor Jakubowicz.

1. A musical medley
   A tribute to Taras Shevchenko, Ukraine’s most famous poet, including some well-known poems: Zapovit (Testament), Reve ta Stohne Dnipr Shyrokij (The broad river Dnepr roars and moans), Sadok Vyshnevyi Kolo Khaty (Cherry Orchard Beside the Cottage) & Dumy Moyi (My Thoughts).
2. Medley
   consisting of a folk love song, “Povij, vitre, na Vkrajinu” (Fly, Wind, to Ukraine) and a folk dance, Meteletsya (Snowstorm).

18      Ukrainian Youth Association (CYM) Verchovyna Dance Ensemble

1. ZAICHYK | ЗАЙЧИК
   A Dance from Polissia

Verchovyna Dance Ensemble B
Choreography: From the repertoire of the National Ensemble Polissia’
Учительі: Сара Косcей,  Андрій Кобас і Меланія Моравська Дехніч

All photographs courtesy of Taras and Sonja Moravski

A full set of photographs of the event can be viewed at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/moravski/sets/72157635148435645/