HI N TESSERBIAN SINGING FEDERATION SUMMER EDITION 2008

Welcome to the Summer Edition of the S.S.F. Hi Notes. It’s time for BBQ’s, picnics, swimming, trips to the beach, and fun in the sun! We hope that everyone is enjoying their summer!

While it may seem quiet during the summer months, and everyone is on vacation, many of

our S.S.F. choirs are keeping very busy preparing for F-A-L-L concerts and events.

The Hi-Notes is a great way to keep everyone informed of the happenings of your local choirs. Please don’t forget to add your choir events on the S.S.F. website too. From the looks of it, we have a lot of choirs that are going to be very busy right after Labor Day.

Listed below are some of the upcoming S.S.F. sponsored events. We hope to see you there, and look forward to hearing from everyone.

S.S.F. SPONSORED EVENTS:

S.S.F. BOARD MEETINGJuly 25th - 27th

Detroit, MI

S.S.F. CHORAL WORKSHOPAugust 8th - 10th

Hosts: S.S.S. Dr. Laza Kostich Choir Midland, PA

67th ANNUAL S.S.F. CONVENTIONSeptember 18th - 21st (Thursday - Sunday)

Hosts: S.S.S. St. Nicholas Omaha, NE

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

Welcome/Events page 1

Aliquippa page 2

Choral Workshop pages 3 - 10

S.S.F. Contribution page 11

Brankies page 12 - 13

Josif Marinkovich pages 14 - 15

Stevan Hristich pages 15 - 16

DEADLINE FOR FALLHI NOTES

September 25th

S.S.F. WEBSITEwww.serbiansingingfederation.org

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Greetings & Thank You

from your friends in Aliquippa! The St. Elijah Serbian Orthodox Church Choir wants to extend a heartfelt “Thank-you” to all who came and supported this year’s festival. We hope you enjoyed the weekend and took home many fond memories and new found friendships. We certainly enjoyed being your hosts and still have our heads in the clouds remembering all the fun times and beautiful performances. We hope everyone made it home safely. If you have any comments to share please sign our guest book on the home page of our website at www.ssffestival.com.

We have already received many kind words from those in attendance and that makes all the hard work worthwhile. As the pictures trickle in it seems there was much laughter and singing from the welcome dance on Friday all the way through to the after party at the hotel on Sunday night!

We would like to say a special thanks to Bob Susnjer for his dedication to making the website a success and to Media Quest who took care of the sound, stage and video recording. The DVDs are in the final edit stage and Media Quest did an excellent job. They even met our request to broadcast the Stanley Cup finals on the big screen Saturday night so that amidst all the singing and dancing, the hockey fans could watch the playoffs on the big screen.

For those of you who have asked about purchasing the DVD here are the details:

They are being professionally produced and edited and will show each choir up close and personal just as they appeared on the big screen during the concerts. Over 20 choirs- including those talented junior choir singers -are represented on this DVD and the performances were exceptional. For details and order forms go to our website at: www.ssffestival.com. The price for the 3 disc set will be $25.00 (U.S.) plus shipping and handling and we encourage choirs to order as a group if they are interested in reducing shipping charges.

Please submit your completed order forms and payment by July 31st and we will ship by mid-August. This is a onetime only offer no orders will be taken after this deadline.

Since some of you may not be able to access the online order forms we will also follow up with each choir by letter and email to give you the details.

If you watch our performance closely you will notice we had a smoke machine for our entrance while singing “Almost Heaven Aliquippa” and at the end of that song we turned it off and unplugged the machine but still minutes later at the end of our first song one last puff comes out! We think it is our beloved members from years past telling us they are still with us in spirit and supporting us in all we do. We say “Memory Eternal” to those talented and courageous pioneers who worked so diligently to make these types of events possible.

As hosts we can’t thank you enough for coming to “Almost Heaven Aliquippa” and making it a special weekend that we will never forget .We hope the fellowship you experienced will inspire future attendance at festivals and continued support of the SSF so that generations to come will experience the rich and rewarding traditions that we have enjoyed for so many years!

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The Serbian Singing Federation is pleased to announce the S.S.S. Dr. Laza Kostich of Midland, PA, will host the 40th SSF Choral Workshop. The workshop will convene Friday morning August 8, 2008 and conclude Sunday August 10 following Divine Liturgy. Please mark your calendar with these dates.

This year’s Workshop Chairperson, Paula Esapovich and her committee have pulled out all the stops to make this an outstanding workshop experience for everyone. They have reserved the prestigious Lincoln Park Performing Arts Center for workshop sessions. The LPPAC is one of the most sound perfect and eye pleasing cultural centers in the state.

Due to previous commitments, Dr. Rick Zivic DDS, Dr. Nikola Resanovich PhD and Professor Milutin Lazich SSF Faculty Members are unable to conduct this year’s workshop. The SSF Board is confident our visiting faculty has prepared a curriculum both interesting and educational, a curriculum perfect for the Lincoln Center.

Coordinator for this year is Milena Walker of Milwaukee, WI. She has directed the SSS Stevan Sijacki Choir for 9 years. Her degree is in Music Education, Choral and General from UW-Madison and her primary instrument is voice. She also has a minor in 20th century composition. Milena will soon be completing her Masters in Music from the UW-Milwaukee. She has been teaching for 20 years and the last 14 she has taught High School. She has a love of theater and has directed musicals for 20 years. Along with other faculty members Milena has compiled a Workshop curriculum that is certain to be advantageous and motivating not only for those who are interested in expanding their musical knowledge, but also the seasoned directors..

Other members of this year’s faculty include, Milan Damljanovic, who received his musical education at Cleveland State University where he completed studies in performance and composition. Damljanovic studied conducting with the renowned Howard Meeker and Eileen Moore. Milan’s primary instrument is percussion. His credits of performances as percussionist are numerous, covering 2 continents. His choral music experiences include the Serbian Singing Federation and St. Vladimir’s Seminary choral workshops. Milan currently directs 3 Orthodox choirs including S.S.S. Njegos, Cleveland, Ohio, which he has lead since 1991. Under his tutelage the Njegos choir has performed in concerts throughout the United States, Canada, Serbia, Montenegro and Kosovo. Damljanovic has arranged both sacred and secular music and has compiled a Liturgical Service Book, wedding service book and others. Milan has been invited, along with a small musical group, to compete in the International Choral Competition at Graz, Austria and the Balkan Choral competition in Nis, Serbia

Dr. Milutin Drobac is affiliated with the Serbian Orthodox Choral Association (SOCA.) Dr. Drobac, a renowned Cardiovascular Surgeon from Toronto, Canada, is also accomplished in the field of Theology and Liturgical music. Dr. Drobac is considered one of the most knowledgeable educators in the field of Orthodox Liturgical music.

continued...He has spoken at previous workshops on such topics as “Culture of Liturgical Singing,” and “Vespers Services.” Dr. Drobac attended the Royal Conservatory of Music with an emphasis on education in violin. Dr. Drobac directed liturgical choirs in Windsor in the 1960’s including St. Demetrius Church and St. Michael’s Serbian Orthodox Church in Toronto, where he lead the choir for 25 years, retiring just 2 years ago.

Petar Drobac, PhD has followed in his father’s path in the field of Theology, more specifically Serbian Orthodox Liturgical compositions, their teachings and significance. Petar spent five years at St. Vladimir’s Seminary in NY. Four of those years were as a student working on a Masters in Divinity and M.A in liturgical music. He spent a fifth year honing his skills in music publishing and recording and has been working as a church musician ever since. Most recently Petar has been working on adapting Serbian chant to English text. Petar has spoken on many subjects including issues related to adapting a received musical tradition for English language liturgy, examining and contextualizing our homographic tradition.

Martha Kukich-Steen, of Monroeville, PA received her musical degree from the prestigious Duquesne University School of Music at Pittsburgh, PA and her primary instrument is the violin with a minor in arranging and music composition, and directing. She retired from directing the St. Nicholas Choir of Monroeville and the Holy Trinity Cathedral Choir of Pittsburgh to devote time to her three daughters. Martha has taught violin and has numerous choral/instrumental arrangements to her credit. Martha is a member of the famed musical Danny Kukich family of Pittsburgh.

We are pleased to have an accomplished opera star and voice instructor as part of this year’s faculty. He is Frank Walker. Frank is married to Milena Walker and they form another musical family. Frank is a tenor soloist and also works as a voice teacher. He has sung with the famous Florentine Opera Company in Milwaukee for over 12 years. He has appeared with various opera companies throughout the US and Italy, both as soloist and as member of chorus. Mr. Walker has been teaching voice for over 16 years and is a lead tenor in the SSS Stevan Sijacki.Mr. Walker will give voice lessons all weekend long, be sure to sign up during registration.

Although the bios are brief it is easy to see this year’s 40th SSF Choral Workshop is over-flowing with talented music instructors. The SSF Board and the SSS Dr. Laza Kostic Choir of Midland urge you to complete your registration form and return it immediately to assure yourself a place among the participants who will be attending from Pennsylvania to California and Windsor to Florida. SEE YOU THERE.

SSF Reporter

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DR. LAZA KOSTICH to HOST40th ANNUAL SSF CHORAL WORKSHOP

Dr. Laza Kostich S.S.S.30 Tenth Street, Midland PA 15059

724-643-8759 or 724-643-1396Email jifyjingle@hotmail.com

Greetings from Midland!

On behalf of the Dr. Laza Kostich S.S.S., I would like to take this opportunity to extend an invitation to you to participate in the 40th annual SSF Choral Workshop in Midland Pennsylvania. This year’s workshop plans to be the best yet. We are honored that the SSF board has awarded the workshop to the DLK and we are grateful for this opportunity.

We have an incredibly talented faculty who are ready and willing to impart their wisdom on all of us. Their knowledge is valuable and I’m sure everyone will leave the workshop with a better understanding of the many facets of our choral responsibilities to our beloved Church.

I would like to introduce the workshop committee which consists of Anka Vidakovich, Teresa Vujakovich, Elaine and Jocko Drakulich, Evelyn Adams, Tica Hineman and of course Father Milan Pajic. Without these wonderfully dedicated hard working folks, none of this would be possible. Thanks to them, we are hosting our first choral workshop ever. I’m lucky to have these people on my team and even luckier still for their devotion to the choir. Their eagerness to step up to the plate and take on whatever is thrown our way is amazing. Elaine and Jocko are the chefs for the weekend so come hungry, you won’t be disappointed!

I would also like to thank the SSF board for their constant support of us, guiding us along the way, answering all of our questions. This has truly been an experience that will stay with us for a long time to come.

I pray that your brief visit to Midland is an enjoyable one. Please let us know if there is anything we can do to make your visit a more memorable one. Feel free to contact us if you have any questions.

See you all soon!

Paula Paula Esapovich, Committee Chairperson

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SERBIAN SINGING FEDERATION2008 CHORAL WORKSHOP

MIDLAND, PA

AUGUST 8, 9, 10, 2008

Coordinator: Milena Walker, Milwaukee, WIInstructors: Milan Damljanovic ~ Dr. Milutin Drobac ~ Peter Drobac ~ Martha Kukich-Steen ~ Frank

Walker

CURRICULUM

Friday, August 9, 2008:

8:30 am Registrations8:45 am Welcome and Introductions Milena Walker9:00 - 9:30 am Importance of Vocal Warm – ups Milena Walker

Intermediate

9:45 – 10:45 am Theory – Analysis of a Piece of Music Milan Damljanovic10:45 – NOON Choral Rehearsal Techniques Milan Damljanovic

Beginning

9:45 - 10:45 am Theory – Basics Martha Kukich - Steen10:45 am – NOON Organizing a Basic Rehearsal Martha Kukich - Steen

Noon to 1:00 pm Lunch Break

1:15 – 2:15pm History of the Liturgy & Liturgical Singing Dr. Milutin and Peter Drobac 2:30 – 2:30 pm Sight – reading Liturgical Music All Faculty Members

Intermediate

3:30 – 4:30 pm Conducting Techniques Martha Kukich – Steen Milan DamljanovicBeginning

3:30 - 4:30 pm Conduction Techniques Milena Walker

4:30 – 5:30 pm Hands- On Conducting All Faculty Members

5:30 – 7:00 pm DINNER

7:15 – 9:00 pm Divine Liturgy Rehearsal – with Host Choir and Workshop Participants ALL FACULTIES

PLEASE SEE SPECIAL NOTE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE NEXT PAGE……………………Page 6

SERBIAN SINGING FEDERATION2008 CHORAL WORKSHOP – CONTINUED;

SATURDAY, AUGUST 9, 2008

8:30 – 9:00 am Vocal Warm-ups Milena Walker (all Workshop Participants)Intermediate

9:15 – 10:15 am Arranging Music Martha Kukich-Steen

Beginning 9:15 – 9:45 am Musical Terms Milan Damljanovic

9:45 – 10:15 am Seasonal Liturgical MusiC Dr. Milutin Drobac & Peter Drobac

10:30 – 11:30 am New Choral Literature Sacred & Secular Milan Damljanovic

Jr. Choir and Literature Milena Walker

1:30 – 12:15 pm Dissection of the Liturgy Dr. Milutin Drobac & Peter Drobac

12:15 to 1:15pm ~ Lunch Break

1:15 - 2:15 pm Vocal Techniques for the Choir Milena Walker

2:30 – 4:30 pm Final rehearsal with Host Choir and Workshop Participants “hands-on” conducting by STUDENT DIRECTORS……All Faculty In the church choir loft please

4:30 – 5:00 pm Choral Membership/Fundraising/Motivation All Faculty

PLEASE NOTE:Individual and small group voice lessons scheduled throughout the workshop and conducted by special guest, renown opera singer, FRANK WALKER

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1523 Old Brodhead Rd.Monaca, PA 15061

(724) 728-9480 p(724) 728-9481 f

Just a few of our amenities…

LCD TVs in every room*Heavenly bed packageEuropean style bathrooms

Hot “Savory Starts” breakfastState of the art fitness center

Wired and wireless hi-speed InternetBoardroom / Business center

Guest laundry service (coin operated and valet)

*For your convenience, we have added a wall plate with VGA and AV ports so you can easily connect your computer and DVD player for use.

All rooms are equipped with…

RefrigeratorsMicrowaves

Coffee MakersIron & Ironing Boards

Hair Dryers

Call (724) 728-9480 to make your reservations. Tell the agent that you are coming in under the group named “Serbian Singing Federation.” We look forward to speaking with you!

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2008 CHORAL WORKSHOP

Comfort Suites1523 Old Brodhead Road

Monaca PA, 15061724-728-9480

Type of room Cost Number availableKing bed with handicap

access$89.99 1

Studio $89.99 32 double beds $89.99 7

King bed with Jacuzzi $114.99 62 double beds with

handicap access$89.99 1

King Suite $89.99 12

The Comfort Suites offers breakfast at no cost for their guests which includes but is not limited to eggs, sausage, waffle maker, bagels, pastries, cereal, coffee, juice & milk. That being the case, the DLK will not be providing breakfast for any of the 3 days.

When booking your room, be sure to mention the Serbian Singing Federation to get the room rates available for us.

The deadline for these rates is July 15, 2008!

After that point, any rooms not booked by our participants will go back into the hotel inventory for other guests to book. This hotel only has 41 rooms in it, we have 30 reserved. Please note the Comfort Suites hotel is completely non smoking.

Thursday evening we will have a picnic welcome get together at the home of Jocko and Elaine Drakulich, 117 Chestnut Drive, Monaca PA 15061. Their phone number is 724-775-3701. They live approximately ½ mile from the Comfort Suites. Refreshments will be served. We will be picking up and leading our guests from the hotel to their house. Feel free to dress casual as the atmosphere will be relaxed. Should anyone arrive after we leave the hotel at approximately 7:00 pm, please call Paula’s cell phone, 724-777-4450 and someone will come and get you to the party.

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LODGINGRATES

♫ 40th SSF CHORAL WORKSHOP ♫MIDLAND PA - AUGUST 8TH, 9TH & 10TH

REGISTRATION FORM

Name (please print) _________________________________ Telephone Number__________________________

Street Address___________________________________________________________________________

City____________________________State/Province_________________________Zip code__________

E-mail___________________________________________Fax____________________________________

Your Choirs Name and City______________________________________________________________

ARRIVAL INFORMATION

Arrival time and date___________________________ Auto Air / Airline & Flight #___________________________

Departure time/date_______________________ Flight information if applicable________________________

Will you need assistance to and from Pittsburgh International Airport _________________________________

If this information is not available at time of registration, please e-mail it to PAULA ESAPOVICH as soon as possible: jifyjingle@hotmail.com

What vocal ranges do you sing? * Soprano * Alto * Tenor * Bass

How long have you sung in a choir? ____________________________

What choral or vocal talents do you possess? * Soloist * Duet * Quartet * Other __________________

* Church Directing # of years________ * Concert Directing # of years _______

* Assistant Directing # of years ______ * Do you play any instrument and if so which ones _______________

Are you able to sight read music? * a little * more then a little * proficient

Are you interested in learning more about; * Sight Reading * Directing Skills * Chanting * All-round choral interest

I will be attending Choral Workshop for the first time _______ I have attended Choral Workshop for ______years.

SSF member fee $ 50.00 Non members $75.00 PAYABLE IN U.S. FUNDS ONLYPlease return completed form and fee on or before July 14, 2008 to:

MARK BOROTA, 4436 E. McKINLEY STREET, PHOENIX, AZ, 85008

MAKE ALL CHECKS PAYABLE TO THE S.S.F.

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Name: ____________________________________________________________________

Address: ____________________________________________________________________

Apt. No.: _______________________

City: ____________________________________________________________________

State/Province: ______________________________________

Postal/Zip Code: _____________________________________

Phone Number: ______________________________________

Amount of Donation: $_________________________________

Please return this form and make checks payable to theSERBIAN SINGING FEDERATION

Mail to:Serbian Singing Federation

P.O. Box 71007Madison Heights, MI 48071

Donations will be acknowledged and an official tax receipt issued for the full amount.

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DONATION FORMMY CONTRIBUTION TO

THE SERBIAN SINGING FEDERATION

Thank you in advance for your continued support of the Serbian Singing Federation!

SSS “Branko Radicevich” the First Half of ’08!!!

It was a brief few weeks of rest for members of SSS Branko Radicevich before they began their musical journey through the spring of 2008. Although Brankies as a choir did not make the trip to the Choral Festival this year to join SSF stalwarts in AHAq at the annual bash, we understand a good time was had by all, but we embarked on an ambitious schedule of performances nonetheless.

A few days before our Christmas, Brankies went caroling across the northern part of Chicago and its suburbs to nursing homes, rehabilitation facilities and members’ and supporters’ homes to sing. The highlight of the day was visiting Vera Monson and Ralph Trifunov, both at the same residence. To the delight of all gathered, Vera and Ralph sang along as if they had never been away from their beloved Brankies, for which they labored and sang for many, many years, keeping the choir alive so it could celebrate its centennial. One of the last homes we sang at was that of our longtime member, +Gil Congoran, who was in good spirits as we visited, sang and laughed that evening. It would be the last time we were all together: sadly, not too many days afterwards, Cika +Gil passed away after a long illness. Brankies were

honored to sing at both his pomen and funeral services.

After returning from the “Srpski Bozicni Odmor” in February, Brankies decided to revive an old custom: perform a concert of sacred music in our Holy Resurrection Cathedral during the Veliki Post (Great Lent). As the day of the performance neared, rehearsals became an almost nightly event for many members. The concert was on the evening of Lazarova Subota, Saturday April 19. We performed a repertoire ranging from the Greek “Fos Ilaron” (Svete Tihi/O Gladsome Light) to an arrangement of Holy Week and Paschal works with narration to the more recent “Hristos Tesi Majku” by Stevan Hristic. Our thanks to Deacon Damjan Bozic of our Cathedral for his announcing and narrating help during the performance. The choir hosted a reception in the lobby of the church hall immediately after the concert for guests and of course the now-exhilarated Brankies having worked hard and executing a successful performance.

Rest was short, as Holy Week meant singing responses during most of the entire week’s services, including every evening Matins service held during the same. This was the first time that Brankies and Elizabeth Neskow, our director of more than thirty years, took on the responsibility as a choir for singing at these services, beginning on Palm Sunday and culminating at the Hierarchical Diving Liturgy held Sunday morning of PASCHA.

Again, after a very short break, it was time for Brankies to prepare for our Slava, St. George, the Great Martyr which would be observed on Sunday, May 11. We observed our Slava in the presence of special guests that day: His Royal Highness Crown Prince Alexander and Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Katherine. A special presentation was made by Her Royal Highness on behalf of her charitable organization, Lifeline, which organizes successful efforts to send hospital equipment to Serbia, especially that which is needed for the care of newborn babies. Her Royal Highness gave a touching presentation outlining the very real challenges that many hospitals in Serbia face caring for their youngest patients. Those in attendance made generous donations to Lifeline; everyone agreed this was a most successful event.

Although Brankies didn’t make the trip to AHAq, our president, Jelena Stojakovic, also the SSF Communications Chairperson and our Vice President, Holly Jovanovich, also the immediate past President of the SSF, made the trip and had only the highest praise for the annual gathering of choir members throughout the US and Canada. One of our newest members, Bill Evanoff, newly settled in Chicago from Omaha, also made the trip. Many other Brankies members took a couple hours during their relaxing Memorial Day weekend and sang responses for the wedding of our former member, Alexander “Aco” Dragin.

The Serbian Singing Society “Branko Radicevich” was asked to be the honored guest choir at the Serbian Orthodox Choral Association Festival of the New Gracanica Metropolitanate held this year in St. Louis. Some weeks earlier, Brankies received this invitation and without hesitation the members voted “Yes, let’s go!” to make this trip, their third performance at the SOCA Festival. The fun began Friday morning as we departed Holy Resurrection Cathedral by bus, amusing ourselves the entire way through very flat downstate Illinois. After a brief break to check into our rooms we met once again to have lunch at the Serb-owned “Tip-Top Bar and Grille”. The proprietor is the nephew of our parish priest, V. Rev. Djuro Krosnjar, who conveyed his heartfelt regrets for not being able to make the trip with us. When we returned to the hotel, excitement filled the air as choir members began arriving from the Midwest and Canada, creating a buzz in the hospitality suite. We were conveniently located just a block away from Busch Stadium and the Cardinals were playing at home. Aco Sretenovic, Aleks Yovetich and David Sekicky covered their Cubbie Blues in sea of Cardinal red-attired fans and watched the Cards edge the Pittsburgh Pirates in a 5-4 thriller. The Friday celebration at the hotel continued almost until sunup Saturday. Page 12

SSS “Branko Radicevich” the First Half of ’08!!!continued

But the main purpose of the trip was to perform, and the Brankies did just that: appearing last in the Saturday afternoon concert, they performed “Hriste Boze Raspeti i Sveti” from Dr. Nikola Resanovich’s arrangements of Sveti Vladika Nikolaj’s Duhovna Lira, they also reprised the Hristic piece from April’s Lenten Concert and performed a newer and rather dramatic arrangement of “Tamo Daleko.” Many members took the opportunity to visit the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial Park and its most prominent feature, the Gateway Arch later that afternoon before rejoining everyone at the Serbian Hall for the Saturday evening dance, partying until the wee hours of Sunday morning. The grand piano in the lobby of the Millennium Hotel joyously rang out our favorite Serbian tunes of friendship and “drustvo”. Only a few hours later, the 102 year old Branko Radicevich Choir sang in the choir loft normally occupied by the 101 year old Holy Trinity Serbian Church Choir at their church from which they take their name.

Despite very little rest, the Brankies sang inspiring and prayerful responses to the Divine Liturgy. Many members of the host choir and the SOCA executive

board thanked many Brankies members individually for accepting the invitation. At the banquet that followed, speaker after speaker related how successful the weekend was and thanked both the host Holy Trinity Choir and SSS Branko Radicevich. Jelena Stojakovic spoke eloquently of our gratitude for being invited to participate, of the fun we had, and how poignant it was that the oldest choir of the Federation was invited and had accepted to be the honored guest choir at a SOCA Festival. She stated that their warmth and Serbian ‘gostoprimstvo’ is something will always remain in the Brankies’ fondest memories. Ms. Stojakovic emphasized as to how proud she was of the Brankies, as they have strived to build bridges among SOCA and the SSF over the past decade and have done using our strongest tool, our common language that we express through our magnificent sacred music and our moving secular music. She concluded her address by alluding to the day in the near future where one festival with all the SSF and SOCA choirs will perform on one stage.

After dancing on Serbian Drive to modern Serbian rock tunes played by our members Ivan Budisin (a St. Sava Theological graduate) and Seminarian Vojo Stojanovic, along with the local Becari Tambura Orchestra, it was time to board the bus for home, for a Serbian Drive starting point to the Serbian Drive trip’s end in Chicago. We will never forget our St. Louis friends’ kindness throughout the whole weekend!

Summer will certainly mean a little more rest in between a Vidovdan performance at the Cathedral’s commemoration of this solemn day and rolling up our sleeves to help at the HRSOC annual SERBFEST the first weekend in August. Meanwhile we’ll be practicing for our performance as guests on September 13th and 14th of the St. Elijah Choir in Almost Heaven, Aliquippa (AHAq)!!!

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GREETINGSFROM

SERBIAN SINGING SOCIETY JOSIF MARINKOVICH

of

St. NicholasSerbian Eastern Orthodox Church

Steelton, PA

President…………………Patricia HernjakVice-President……………….Cheryl KlipaTreasurer………………….Diane Cashman Secretary…………………Yovanka HooverFinancial Secretary….….Helen Miscevich

Directress……..Nadine Klipa

Celebrating our 75th Anniversary in 2008!

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S.S.S. JOSIF MARINKOVICH – STEELTON, PA

From the very first piece of correspondence we received from Melanie Bard, Steelton knew they wanted to be in “Almost Heaven” Aliquippa for the SSF Festival. It all began on Christmas day as her announcement was circulated among our choir members. The momentum was building….

Then on February 5th, we were informed by +Stevo Medich that the Executive Board selected us to be the honored church choir for the 67th Serbian Singing Federation Festival! Going to the Festival had now moved to a whole new level! The members were so moved by this honor, that there was no hesitation deciding to accept. And, as they say, “the rest is history!”

And what a wonderful time we had making “history!” And Aliquippa could not have made it any better! From the moment we arrived, it was just as wonderful as they said it would be!

It was so much fun meeting old friends, making new friends, and putting faces to voices of people we only had the pleasure of talking with on the phone. And Steelton certainly had a good time with those friends dancing and singing until “the last call!”

We will especially treasure the opportunity to sing the responses on Sunday morning and the added honor of our parish priest, Archpriest Stavrophor Srboljub Jockovic, serving the Divine Liturgy. It is our hope that we contributed in some small way to make the Festival Weekend a memorable one.

To the SSF Executive Board, we send our sincerest gratitude for choosing us as honored church choir for the Festival Weekend. To our Aliquippa hosts, we thank you from the bottom of our Steelton hearts for a wonderful weekend and congratulate you on a successful festival!

STEVAN HRISTICH SERBIAN CHOIR PHOENIX, AZ

WE HAVE THREE NEW MEMBERS:Sasa Tesanovic, Miomir Milivojev, & Danilo TrifovicThey had to endure our rigorous initiation process, and they persevered. Congratulations and Welcome to our new members!

The Stevan Hristich Choir had another Spring concert in May this year. The focus of the concert were songs dedicated to Virgin Mary - Bogorodice Pesme. The event was a success and everyone greatly enjoyed a nice atmosphere. We performed in the church, and afterwards, our guests enjoyed coffee and cake in the hall, accompanied by some nice tunes. 

On September 13th, we will host our yearly golf outing. There is a new format for the golf, which includes a lunch afterwards. We hope if you’re in town, you will join us for some great golf and fun!

October 3rd - 5th marks our annual concert weekend. This year’s guests hail from Hamilton, Canada; St. Nicholas Serbian Orthodox Cathedral choir. Their trip was postponed i February, due to the unfortunate passing of the Very Reverend Stevan Stojsavljevich's father, Nikola. We look forward to finally spending some time with our friends from Nash Road.

Some other events we are working on in the upcoming year is our Veselo Vece on November 15th. We will also be caroling on December 20th & December 27th. The weekend of February 13th - 15th, 2009, we will celebrate our 50th Anniversary. Our honored guest choir for this milestone event will be S.S.S. St. George from Kansas City. As it turns out, Kansas City was the first choir trip the The Stevan Hristich Choir ever took. It’s going to be a wonderful weekend, and we invite everyone to come spend the weekend with us.

A copy of our last year's May concert CD, featuring the history of Serbian liturgical music, can be obtained in our church bookstore or by contacting Donna Vudrag at dvudrag@gmail.com. 

The Stevan Hristich Choir has regular rehearsals every Wednesday at 7 o'clock at St. Sava cultural center. If you ever find yourself nearby, you are most welcome to join us!

Visit our website at: www.stevanhristichchoir.org

God bless you!

Neda Milesic1st Vice PresidentThe Stevan Hristich Choir

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CD’s FOR SALESTEVAN HRISTICH SERBIAN CHOIR OF PHOENIX, AZ

presentsTHE ST. SAVA MASS CHORUS

performingTHE EVOLUTION OF ORTHODOX MUSIC

Byzantine Chant Through Contemporary Composition

Fill out the order form below, return it with a $20 check (includes S&H), made out to theStevan Hristich Choir, to the address below:

St. Sava Church, 4436 E. McKinley Street, Phoenix, AZ 85008, ATTN: Donna Vudrag

Name: ________________________________________________________

Address, City, State, Zip: _______________________________________________________________________________________

Phone: ___________________________________ Number of CD’s: ______________________

Reminders: Checks Only! Checks made out to Stevan Hristich Choir! Send to St. Sava Address! dvudrag@gmail.com

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