How to Join the Shevchenko Musical Ensemble
Sing, dance, play an instrument?
Співаєте, танцюваєте, граєте на інструменті?
Join the Shevchenko Musical Ensemble and be a part of this one-of-the-kind musical experience in Canada’s unique ensemble of choir, orchestra and dancers.
The Shevchenko Choir, a mixed voice choral group, is dedicated to preserving the finest of Ukrainian choral traditions. It also includes in its repertoire a broad spectrum of songs – Ukrainian and other folk songs, popular classical arias and choruses, and contemporary songs including original Canadian compositions.
For singers who don’t read Ukrainian or any other Slavic language, lyrics are written in phonetics and are easily mastered.
The choir is an integral part of the Shevchenko Musical Ensemble. It rehearses separately and later joins the orchestra and dancers in rehearsal and performance.
In addition to its annual presentation as part of the Ensemble, the choir often presents its own concerts or joint concerts with other community choirs. All concerts are held in prestigious theaters in Toronto and area.
Rehearsals are Sunday mornings, from 10:00 to 12:30 in room 304 of Columbus Centre, 901 Lawrence Avenue West, just west of Dufferin on the south side.
Auditions are held at any time by contacting the Ensemble office to arrange an appointment with the Artistic Director. Although it is preferable for a singer to read music, it is not mandatory. The audition is more for the purpose of evaluating the voice and its range.
Anyone interested in joining the choir is welcome to attend any rehearsal as an observer to better acquaint themselves with the type of repertoire and level of performance. Just call the Ensemble office 416-533-2725 to advise.
The Toronto Mandolin Orchestra is one of Canada’s oldest community orchestras. It is a continuation of the proud tradition of mandolin orchestras and schools which flourished in the Ukrainian, Jewish, Russian, Macedonian, Finnish, German and other ethnic communities in Canada.
The orchestra is comprised of the complete mandolin family – primaa, mandola, tenor mandolin, mando-cello and bass (both mando and string). It is augmented by accordion, flute, oboe, clarinet and percussion. It currently also has two 4-string domras and one 3-string domra in the string sections.
Because of the unique make-up of the orchestra, every composition must be specially orchestrated and this is done by Artistic Director Alexander Veprinsky, a talented and prolific arranger/orchestrator.
As part of the Ensemble, the orchestra accompanies the choir and vocal and instrumental soloists. It also has an extensive repertoire of its own and presents its own concerts in theatres such as Glenn Gould Studio. It presents a broad range of performances with instrumental soloists on domra, balalaika, cimbalom, flute, oboe, clarinet, pan flute; and with professional vocal soloists.
Musicians on either domra or mandolin must read music adequately in order to participate in the string section. Players who need to upgrade their techniques or reading skills can apply for lessons under the program of mandolin instruction offered by the Ensemble.
Musicians on accordion (or bayan), woodwinds or percussion must be highly qualified and must audition with the Artistic Director. Auditions are held any time upon request by making an appointment. Although the orchestra is an amateur group, the level of performance is professional and requires the performance of the above instruments to be at a professional level.
Rehearsals of the orchestra are held every Monday night from 7:30 to 10:00 in room 304 of Columbus Centre, 901 Lawrence Avenue West, just west of Dufferin on the south side. Anyone interested in joining the orchestra is welcome to attend any rehearsal as an observer to better acquaint themselves with the type of repertoire and level of performance. Just call the Ensemble office 416-533-2725 to advise.
