Ukrainian Carol Festival, Ukrainian Orthodox Centre, Dec. 10/06

Upcoming Event:

Vancouver Italian Folk Chorus 40th Anniversary
Joining them are the Svitanok Chorus (Ukrainian), Austrian Vancouver Club Melody Choir and the Mexico Vivo Dance Group
Venue: Michael J. Fox Theatre, 7373 Macpherson Avenue, Burnaby
Date: Sunday, October 24th, 2010
Time: 7:30pm
Price: $15

Annual Ukrainian Christmas Carol Festival
Date: Sunday, December 19th 2010
Time: 2:30pm
Venue: Ukrainian Catholic Center, 3150 Ash Street, Vancouver

Mission Statement 

To serve the Ukrainian Community in British Columbia at various Cultural Events and as a “secular choral group”, to contribute musically in the celebration of major Ukrainian historical milestone anniversaries.

With our musical and choral background, to represent the Ukrainian Community of British Columbia, at various Local and International Canadian Events.

Historical Background

Svitanok Chorus of the Svitanok Performing Arts Society of British Columbia is an officially registered organization in Victoria, BC. It is also a member of the BC Choral Federation. The director, Ann Kvitka Kozak founded the mixed chorus in 1989. It was composed of members from her Voloshky Singers of Vancouver, BC (1963-1985 – 5 recordings) and participants from Vancouver’s original musical stage production, Vinkopletennia, a Ukrainian traditional Bridal Shower (1989-1995 – tape, video, book) for which, in 1991, the musical won the prestigious Kostash Award for Film and Video Arts in Canada. In 1998, Svitanok Chorus placed first in the Traditional Music category in the CBC Radio Competition representing British Columbia. Their CD and cassette with 17 songs encompassing a year’s cycle is called “Celebrating the Seasons”. 
It was released in 2000.

Goals

Svitanok’s goals are to promote, perform, preserve and teach Ukrainian choral music in Vancouver’s Lower Mainland and the Pacific Northwest. Auditioned singers, 13 years and older, from varying backgrounds, are of Canadian, Ukrainian and Slavic roots. The annual and extensive repertoire consists of folk, contemporary, sacred, historical and semi-classical choral music, including original repertoire from Ukraine, and Ann’s choral arrangements of interesting one part songs. 

Activties

Annually, we perform at major cultural and historical Ukrainian concerts and significant Main stream Canadian events. We sponsor workshops in voice production, in repertoire of Historical nature, Christmas carols and contemporary music from Ukraine. Singers also participate in workshops offered by the BC Choral Federation.

Rehearsal are held from September to June at the Ukrainian Catholic Center, 3150 Ash St
in Vancouver, on Sunday evenings from 6:00-8:00 pm.
New singers/ musicians are always welcomed.