Orest Soltykevych аor NP-UN.
Soon after Russia’s full-scale invasion in February of 2022 began, it became apparent that the destruction of non-military structures such as schools, hospitals and apartments was meant to eventually destroy the lives of as many Ukrainian civilians as possible. But the obliteration of libraries and other cultural buildings was a clear sign that Russia was also including cultural genocide of Ukraine in its plans. Otherwise, what strategic threats would cultural institutions, such as the theatre in Mariupol, pose to the enemy?
Of course, the subjugation, and attempts at elimination, of Ukrainian culture by Russia is hardly new. Over the centuries, even our music was considered a threat, and many of our Ukrainian composers suffered greatly. Artem Vedel’ was falsely accused of writing threats towards the Russian royalty, and was incarcerated in an asylum and was forbidden to compose. Mykola Leontovych was murdered by a Soviet agent. Vasyl’ Barvinsky spent a decade in a Soviet Gulag, and after his release, most of his compositions were publicly burned.
During the 1960s, many volumes of choral works by contemporary Ukrainian composers were (thankfully) published in Ukraine. However, every book began with a song glorifying Lenin and/or the “party.” And often words were changed to erase any references to religion, or to ideas of Ukrainian independence or national self-determination. Some songs even substituted original texts with references to collective farms, labour for the common good, and other “benefits” of communism.
Today, thanks to online access, we are able to access countless choral compositions by Ukrainian composers. In the past two years, there has understandably been much interest in Ukrainian music, including choral works. A number of non-Ukrainian composers, most notably England’s John Rutter, wrote music dedicated to the people of Ukraine. And many non-Ukrainian choirs sang Ukrainian choral compositions. (In fact, this writer recently helped in the transliteration of some Ukrainian choral works for a choir in Vermont. None of the choristers, nor the conductor, were of Ukrainian background, but decided to learn and perform an entire concert of choral works in Ukrainian!)
However, these choral compositions are of little value if they are not shared with audiences. A wonderful way for each of us to help preserve and indeed share our wonderful choral music with the rest of the world is by joining a choir! We Ukrainians are fortunate to have many beautiful choral compositions, and if we don’t promote them, who will?
Singing in any choir has many benefits, such as: spending time with like-minded people; improving circulatory and respiratory health; increasing one’s life expectancy; working with others for a common goal; learning the rudiments of music which are understood worldwide; experiencing personal fulfillment and psychological well-being; and decreasing the possibility of stress, depression and/or loneliness.
If you have sung in a choir and have stopped, come back! If you have never sung in a choir, join one! And if you are apprehensive about singing in a choir, the easiest and least intimidating way to start is by joining a church choir. In our Ukrainian churches, the choir stands in the back, so nobody in the congregation can see you. All of the music is in books, so you don’t need to memorize the music. You can stand beside someone who knows the music and eventually you will learn how the music is supposed to sound. If you can’t read music, a conductor can recommend resources to help you. And perhaps most importantly, you will become a more active participant in our church services.
When you sing either in a sacred or secular choir, you and your fellow choristers are entrusted as guardians of our rich Ukrainian choral repertoire. You will feel proud to share our music with audiences and congregations, especially with Ukrainian and non-Ukrainian listeners who have not yet had the opportunity to learn about and enjoy our choral music. And you will be a defender in the centuries-old battle against the attempted eradication of our Ukrainian culture which, tragically, continues to this very day.
Orest Soltykevych has sung in and conducted several choirs for over 50 years. He is currently the choir conductor at St John the Baptist Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Edmonton, and a singer in Kappella Kyrie Slavic Chamber Choir. He also hosts a choral music program on CKUA Radio in Alberta.
Share on Social Media
