Each fall the National Shevchenko Musical Ensemble Guild launches its annual Fund Drive in support of the Shevchenko Musical Ensemble. The life blood of the Ensemble is the support it receives from the community, from readers of the Bulletin who love and appre-ciate the cultural traditions preserved in the multicultural mosaic of Canada. Without this support the Ensemble could not achieve its high level of performance, nor continue to provide musical instruction and activity for youth and adults. Without your support the Ensemble could not develop new and creative artistic programs. Please give generously to help maintain and develop one of Canada’s finest exponents of Ukrainian choral and orchestral music.

All donations to the Guild are tax deductible (Reg. Nº 11905 1910 RR0001).

NUMBER 75 October 2013 626 BATHURST ST. TORONTO, ON ISSN-0703-9999

SME leaders fondly remembered

In this issue …• Musical Tribute to Mary Kuzyk• Shevchenko Ensemble Annual Concert• Anton Kulchin, WW II Veteran • Toronto Mandolin Orchestra returns to Glenn Gould Studio

Mary Pashka-Kuzyk1919 d 2013

Andrew Markow1942 d 2013

“It is next to impossible to fully describe what Mary Kuzyk meant to the Shevchenko Musical Ensem-ble…one of the founders; a long-time conductor and concertmaster; a real musi-cal and inspirational leader; the heart and soul of the or-ganization for generations.”

– A. Veprinskiy, Artistic Director

– story on page 3

When the Shevchenko Musical Ensemble was in its hour of greatest need, Andrew Markow, out of the goodness of his heart and his love for his Ukrainian heritage, gave of his talent and knowledge for thirteen years to guarantee a future for the Shevchenko Musical Ensemble.

– story on page 5

Shevchenko Musical Ensemble fall campaign

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Club 626 Seniors NewsClub 626 Seniors completed another season by attending a musi-cal at Toronto’s Stage West Theatre in June. This was followed, in August, by another very successful and enjoyable Bar-B-Q in the beautiful backyard of Stan and Evelyn Nazarec. Stan’s garlic harvest was again the big attraction, bringing new faces to the event. A major draw was held for a huge braid of fresh home-grown garlic and many small door prizes of garlic were given away. Sincerest thanks from all Club members to Stan and Evelyn for making this summer event a success year after year. The Club’s opening monthly meeting in September was a ‘Games Day’ where, after a delicious lunch, members chose whatever game they preferred such as poker, euchre and other card and board games.On September 19 members took a bus tour to Stratford Festival to see the highly acclaimed performance of “Fiddler on the Roof”. A guest speaker at the October meeting spoke of “Superfoods for Seniors” – the top 10 foods which give seniors the nutrition needed to maintain their health. Sorry, perogies with sour cream are not on the list. The November meeting is a very special one – Remembrance Day. This year the Club will honour Anton Kulchin, a WW II veteran who, as a member of the Canadian forces infantry, helped liberate Holland and much of North-Western Europe. Anton, now in his 90th year, will be officially recognized by Veteran Affairs Canada. Mem-bers, and friends, are invited to attend this special meeting to honour, not only our own veteran Anton, but all those who fought for peace and humanity in that horrific world conflict. In addition to the monthly meetings, held every first Wednesday of the month, the Club sponsors various outings and events. A highlight of the season is the Club’s annual Christmas Party, this year to be held on Sunday, December 8.

A new venture for Club members and friends will be a boat cruise on the Grand River either in June or May of 2014.

All meetings are held at 626 Bathurst Street. Come out and enjoy the speakers and socializing with friends. And don’t miss the special events sponsored by the Club.

Best wishes to Club President Florenz Seychuk who is now recu-perating from a recent heart attack.

Everyone is welcome to join the Club. Call Membership Secretary Lydia Kit at 416-534-5272.

The BULLETIN Published semi-annually with the support of the City of Toronto through the Toronto Arts Council • Issued by the National Shevchenko Musical Ensemble Guild of Canada, a federally incorporated charitable cultural institution, Reg. Nº 11905 1910 RR0001626 Bathurst St, Toronto, ON M5S 2R1 Phone 416-533-2725 • Fax 416-533-6348 E-mail: info-sme@bellnet.ca www.shevchenkomusic.comEditorial: Ginger Kautto, Anna VeprinskaLayout & Design Assistance: Byron KauttoContributors: Ira Erokhina and Kelly PaulPhotography by Wayne Gilbert of GPS Digital Photo Images unless otherwise noted.

In Fond Memory

The National Shevchenko Musical Ensemble Guild

of Canada gratefully acknowledges contributions in memory

of the following:

d

Victor Mihay2013

Lukin Robinson2013

Mary Kuzyk2013

John Sportun2013

she turned her attention to perfecting her skills on the mandolin.

This began Mary’s long association with the ULFTA and the AUUC, teach-ing and conducting choirs and orchestras in Edmonton, Saskatoon, Kirkland Lake and finally Toronto where she met and married Tony Kuzyk and was blessed with the birth of a son, Gary.

In Toronto Mary taught and con-ducted in the AUUC, the Federation of Russian Canadians, and a Lithuanian choir. Mary also performed on the CBC radio program, “Echoes of the Volga” with musicians such as Ann Balay and Sid Dolgay.

In 1956, when Eugene Dolny revived the exclusive use of mandolins in the Toronto orchestra, Mary became concertmaster and held that position until her death.

Mary shared Dolny’s dream of cre-ating a unique Canadian song and dance ensemble and as the Shevchenko Musi-cal Ensemble evolved, Mary dedicated herself to making it a vibrant and vital cultural institution.

Over the next two decades, Mary shared in the excitement of touring numerous Ontario towns and cities,

Musical Tribute to a mandolin legend

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by GINGER KAUTTOMary Kuzyk, a legend in the man-dolin world, was fondly remembered at a “Musical Tribute” presented by the Toronto Mandolin Orchestra in Toronto on September 23.

To begin the evening, MC Edna Rigby asked for a moment of silence in memory of Mary while Alexander Veprinskiy laid a red rose on the chair which Mary occupied for almost 60 years until her death on June 23.

Interwoven with the orchestra’s performance of some of Mary’s all-time favourites, three members of the orchestra spoke of Mary’s life and her contribution to the Ukrainian commu-nity and particularly to the Shevchen-ko Musical Ensemble.

Natalia Denton, the only other original member of the Toronto Man-dolin Orchestra, spoke of Mary’s early years of work and participation in the cultural groups of the ULFTA and AUUC. Ginger Kautto, a colleague for more than 40 years, spoke of the pe-riod of great growth of the Shevchenko Musical Ensemble and Mary’s role in this development. Linda Daviss, a more recent member of the TMO, spoke of Mary as a teacher who worked with her and others to “bring them up to par” for participation in the orchestra.

A photo slide show, prepared by Byron Kautto, took the audience through decades of Mary’s musical life which ended only in her 94th year.

Born to Ukrainian parents Wil-liam and Anna Pashka, like thousands of children of immigrant families, Mary was introduced at age five to the mandolin in the Saskatoon hall of the Ukrainian Labour-Farmer Temple Association. Although she loved the mandolin, another passion of Mary’s was the violin. Acquiring her first violin in her pre-teens, Mary started out on an exciting career, competing with distinc-tion in music festivals, and performing for such prominent Canadians as for R. B. Bennett, then Prime Minister of Canada.

In 1938, when Mary attended a six month training course of the ULFTA,

making a cross-Canada tour in 1964, appearing annually at Massey Hall, and touring Ukraine in 1970 and in 1989.

A memorable event for Mary was her performance, on mandolin, of Budashkin’s Concerto for Domra with the Niagara Symphony Orchestra in 1980 when the Ensemble and the Symphony collaborated in a program of Ukrainian and Russian music per-formed in Shaw Festival Theatre and Welland.

After the untimely death of Eu-gene Dolny in 1983, Mary played a crucial role in the life of the Ensemble as Assistant Conductor, as well as being concertmaster. She shared the podium with the late Andrew Mar-kow, conducting both the Shevchenko Male Chorus and Toronto Mandolin Orchestra.

In 1991when the Shevchenko Ensemble participated with the AUUC in celebrating the 100th Anniversary of Ukrainians in Canada, Mary con-

ducted one full segment of the Nation-al Festival, with 300 performers, in Toronto’s Massey Hall. This was truly fitting, since of all the conductors in the Ukrainian community, none could equal the number of years of service Mary had given.

In recognition of Mary’s outstanding contribution to the musical life of our country for more than half a century, in 1993 she was awarded the Canada 125 Medal by the Canadian Government. In February 2013 she was awarded the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal in ap-preciation of her contribution to the arts.

Mary was not only the anchor and stability of the Shevchenko Musical Ensemble, and particularly the Toronto Mandolin Orchestra, but a great inspi-ration, a role model of professionalism and dedication.

Mary was a very elegant woman with a wonderful sense of humour, a kind, generous and gracious person who earned the love and respect of thousands of students, colleagues and fellow per-formers who will remember her fondly.

Andrew himself performs frequently. Highlights of his performances include a number of original compositions for harp and orchestra. Among these is Fan-tasy for Flute and Harp with Orchestra by Canadian-Chinese composer Mizi Tan. This will be performed by Andrew Chan, Anya Podrezo on flute and the Toronto Mandolin Orchestra conduct-ed by Alexander Veprinskiy, at Glenn Gould Studio on December 1. Andrew is also the founder and Ar-tistic Director of the Harps on the Hill Festival through which he promotes the appreciation of the harp, its performance and education. He is also a founding member of the Chinese Cultural Centre Music Festival Canada, and the CCC Toronto International Piano Competition. Andrew has performed with many Canadian orchestras including the Van-couver Symphony Orchestra, Ontario Philharmonic, and Toronto Concert Orchestra and Chorus, playing under the baton of world-class conductors. He has performed with renowned vocalists and instrumentalists and has been broadcast

on TV in Toronto, Edmonton and Calgary. Andrew’s music interests reached beyond the classical when and played the electric harp in the fusion band of Dr Draw, a rather eclectic violinist, with whom Chan toured across Canada and the U.S. They also performed in many festivals in Toronto and other cities. Andrew is not only a teacher and performer, but has organized harp workshops in different communities and schools and has been invited by the Chinese Cul-tural Centre to promote classical harp music at various youth and charity events. His passion for the harp doesn’t stop there. He also collaborated with award-win-ning sculptor Hoi Kwon Choi in producing nine uniquely designed harps which have been exhibited in galleries and at concerts.

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New web site

The guest artist at the concert of the Toronto Mandolin Orchestra on Sun-day, December 1, will be the talented Andrew Chan, a busy and very popular harpist in Toronto who has performed across Canada, in the United States, and Asia. Andrew began his studies with the legendary Alice Chalifoux at the pres-tigious Salzedo Harp Colony. He also studied at the University of British Columbia with Elizabeth Volpé, and at the University of Toronto with world-re-nowned harpist Judy Loman. This young man, in addition to performing with some of the finest orchestras, arts groups and soloists in Canada, is a dedicated teacher who founded Harp Sinfonia, a multiple harp ensemble featuring ten of his prize-win-ning protégés. Under his direction, they have performed at venues such as the Royal Ontario Museum and Glenn Gould Studio. Most recently, they were successfully showcased by the Toronto Harp Society, Ontario Philharmonic and Philomusica Symphony Orchestra.

Harp-mandolin blend at TMO concert

We are proud to announce that our brand new web site has been launched. The site is colourful with a meriad of ar-ticles with information and biographies of the Ensemble itself, the Toronto Man-dolin Orchestra, the Artistic Director, soloists who are part of the Ensemble, as well as guest solo artists. Much of the material was taken from the original site which was done volun-tarily by Vera Cabanus. A great deal of updated text, new text and layout had to be prepared for the web creator, Miles Baker. This was done by Ginger Kautto over the summer months in order for the site to be launched this fall. The Toronto Mandolin Orchestra has a number of performances on YouTube, filmed by Heinz Siemens and submitted by Misha Veprinskiy. Therefore, it was felt it was not necessary to repeat all of these on the site. The few that are on site are a fine sample of the quality of performance by the TMO. At a later date, audio recordings, of both choir and the TMO, will be put on the site, as well as a gallery of photos of Ensemble performances and Guild events. We have Wayne Gilbert to thank for the hundreds of wonderful photos taken, voluntarily we might add, of the Ensemble over the past 10 years. These photos have become an his-torical archive of the Ensemble and are greatly appreciated.

Please visit us at:www.shevchenkomusic.com

Members of the Toronto Mandolin Orchestra are looking forward to this unique blend of harp and mandolins. The TMO’s resident soloist, domra virtuoso Ira Erokhina, will also appear on the program. She will performMeditation by Jules Massenet and Con-certo for Domra by Nicolai Budashkin, both of which will be dedicated to the memory of Mary Kuzyk. The concert is Sunday, December 1, 2:00 PM at Glenn Gould Studio. Tickets can be obtained by calling the Ensemble office at 416-533-2725.

Harpist Andrew Chan to appear with TMO

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Remembering Andrew MarkowAfter a lengthy illness with prostate cancer, Andrew Markow passed away on July 2, at the age of 71, all too soon for this talented pianist and teacher who had many more productive years ahead of him.

Andrew was a long-time member of the Piano Faculty of both the Glenn Gould School and the Royal Conserva-tory of Music. He was a professor at the Faculty of Music, University of Toronto, where he obtained his Artist and Li-centiate Diplomas in Piano and Piano Pedagogy. He also graduated with a Master in Music from the Kyiv State Conservatory in Ukraine.

Andrew performed frequently in solo and in chamber music concerts, and as a soloist with various orchestras. He was an accompanist and teacher as well as competition and festival adjudicator. However, his most lasting legacy is helping to formulate the piano curriculum at the Conservatory which is followed by the majority of Canadian piano students.

Together with Boris Berlin, a well-known personage in piano education, Andrew co-authored books on ear training and sight reading. The final months of his life were spent updating the curriculum with the assistance of a Conservatory colleague.

As a child Andrew was introduced to “things Ukrainian” by his parents who were very active in the Ukrainian community. His mother sang in the “Ha-hilka” Choir of the AUUC, and in later years was a founding member of Club 626 Seniors of the Shevchenko Musical Ensemble.

Andrew’s direct association with the Ensemble goes back to 1976 when, as a young musician returning from studies in Ukraine, he was asked to join the Ensemble as assistant conductor to Eugene Dolny.

In 1982, with Eugene in increasing poor health, Andrew had his “debut” conducting the choir and orchestra in

their annual concert at Massey Hall. He was assisted by Mary Kuzyk who continued to work along side Andrew in that capacity in the years to come.

Although Andrew’s career was with the Royal Conservatory of Music, in 1983 when Eugene Dolny passed away and the Ensemble was in its hour of greatest need, Andrew did not let the Ensemble down. He agreed to assume the role as principal conductor, assisted by Mary Kuzyk, until such time as the Guild could find a fulltime director.

Little did we know that it would take some 13 years before a suitable candidate was found in Alexander Veprinskiy.

For those 13 years Andrew not only led the choir and orchestra in 13 ma-jor concerts in Massey Hall, and later Ryerson and MacMillan Theatres, but conducted Ensemble concerts in numer-ous communities such as Sudbury, Co-boconk, Oakville, Simcoe, Georgetown, Peterborough, the Mariposa Festival in Barrie, Guelph, Brantford, Museum of Civilization in Ottawa, Canada Day at Queen’s Park and numerous perfor-mances for various organizations in Toronto and area.

A highlight of Andrew’s career with the Shevchenko Ensemble was the 1989 Concert Tour of Ukraine made on the occasion of the 175th Anniversary of the birth of Taras Shevchenko, the Ensem-ble’s namesake.

A great deal of preparation went in to such a monumental project. Andrew worked with Artistic Committee mem-bers Steve Soldat, Nick Pelowich, Mary Kuyzk and others to plan the program and work out all the logistics. Under his baton, the Ensemble performed in Kyiv, Poltava, Mirhorod, Kaniv, Chernivtsi and Lviv before thousands.

Although Andrew had a highly suc-cessful and busy career at the Conserv-atory, he contributed 13 valuable years to guaranteeing a future for this unique performing arts group.

Members of the Shevchenko En-semble are forever thankful to Andrew Markow for the years he gave to further

the Ensemble’s development and growth. They will always remember and appreciate, not only his important contri-bution, but the man of integrity Andrew Markow was.

Bread and salt welcome upon arriving in Kyiv, 1989.

Cultural season culminates in Annual Concert

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The cultural season of the Shevchenko Musical Ensemble culminated once again last May with the combined forces of the Shevchenko Choir, Toronto Mandolin Orchestra and guest artists, the Desna Ukrainian Dance Co., in a fast moving concert of song, music and dance. The Ensemble experienced a new venue as the concert was held in St. Michael’s College School Centre for the Arts on May 19. True to its reputation as one of the finest exponents of Ukrainian culture, the Ensemble began the program with Kolomeya Misto (Kolomeya is Some City) by contemporary Ukrainian composer A. Kos-Anatolsky. Also by the same composer, was Zoryana Nich

(Starlit Night) performed by soloist Her-man Rombouts with choir and orchestra. The comical folk song arranged by A. Koshyts, Na Vulytsi Skrypka Hraye (A Violin Plays on the Street), was well received. The choir, with soloist Hassan An-ami, performed the popular Russian Folk Song Styep da Styep Krugom (The Endless Steppe). In the second half of the program, the choir presented its Canadian and classi-cal repertoire with the Cape Breton Song of the Mira, Dies Irae from Mozart’s Requiem and Ave Maria by Caccini. The Desna Ukrainian Dance Co. wowed the audience, once again, with a Kozachok, the universally known Hopak

and the fiery Gypsy Dance. The Toronto Mandolin Orchestra dedicated the beautiful Russian Folk Song Lipa Vekevaya (Linden Tree) to the memory of fellow musician Helen Chac-kowsky who died only months before the concert. The orchestra also performed Sardar’s Processional from Caucasian Sketches by M. Ippolitov-Ivanov; In a Persian Market by A. Ketelbey; and Song of a Japanese Autumn by Y. Kuwahara. Soloist Ira Erokhina once again astounded the audience with her per-formance on domra of the Russian folk tune Two Step, arranged by A. Tys-gankov, recently concertmaster of the Osipov Folk Orchestra in Moscow.

Herman Rombouts, bass Shevchenko Musical Ensemble’s final bow

Desna Ukrainian Dance Co.Ira Erokhina, domra virtuosoAlexander Veprinskiy, Artistic Director

Edna Rigby, MC

a living inspiration to many in the world today.” Among other events during this season, the Annual Concert of the Shevchenko Musical Ensemble in May 2014 will be dedicated to the Shevchenko Anniversary.

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Cultural season culminates in Annual Concert

Vocal soloists, appearing with orchestra, were Herman Rombouts in If I Were a Rich Man; Helen Spiers in Vienna, My City of Dreams; Tanya Podolskaya in the Edith Piaff favourite La Vie en Rose; and Hassan Anami with O Sole Mio. For the finale of the concert, the choir and orchestra performed For the Beauty of the Earth by Canadian John Rutter and Hymn to Freedom by Oscar Peterson…“ When ev’ry heart joins ev’ry heart and together yearns for liberty, that’s when we’ll be free…” .After a long applause the choir, orchestra and soloist Hassan Anami surprised the audience with a rousing encore of the very poular and loved Russian Folk Song Kalinka!

Edna Rigby did a fine job as Master of Ceremonies, keeping the program running without a hitch. The printed program, prepared by Gin-ger Kautto, contained an article about the pending 200th Anniversary in 2014 of the birth of Taras Shevchenko, national poet of Ukraine and namesake of the Ensem-ble. For those in the audience who may not have been familiar with Shevchenko, the article gave a sketch of his life and particularly his legacy for Canada and the world. She wrote: “The Shevchenko Musical Ensemble in 2014 will be among thou-sands, in Ukraine and beyond its shores, to once again pay tribute to a giant among men, to Taras Shevchenko who remains

Photos by Wayne Gilbert of Digital Photo Images

Help keep this wonderful Ensemble alive and well!

Give generously to the current Fund Drive in support of this unique Canandian cultural institution.

Thank you.

Shevchenko Musical Ensemble’s final bow Tanya Podolskaya, alto

Hassan Anami, tenorHelen Spiers, soprano

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Thoughts of Mary Kuzyk

Shevchenko Choir and WW II vet honoured to carry Canadian flagAs the generation of those who fought in WW II slowly comes to an end, the federal government, Veteran Affairs Canada, is finally paying due attention to the men and women who served in that terrible conflict, many of whom made the ultimate sacrifice. Anton Kulchin, who sang with the Shevchenko Male Chorus and more re-cently with the Shevchenko mixed Choir for a total of 45 years, was featured in a Toronto Star article last August as the veteran who would carry the Canadian flag in the Warriors Day Parade at the Canadian National Exhibition. Anton’s family came to Canada from Belarus when he was 5 and settled in Mundare, Alberta where they became active in the ULFTA. Anton recalls playing in a mandolin orchestra there. They moved to Windsor where they con-tinued their active participation in the ULFTA and the Federation of Russian Canadians. When Hitler made remarks about annihilating half the population of Russia and enslaving the other half, Anton took it personally. He enlisted in the Canadi-an Army at age 19 in 1942 and served in Canada and North-West Europe for threee years. Overseas he served with the Perth Regiment, 5th Armoured Division, and as infantry helped liberate Holland and other areas from Nazi German occupa-tion. Anton has attended every Liber-ation Day celebration in Holland, held

every 5 years, since the 35th Anniversa-ry of the war in 1977. Although more than 45,000 Canadi-ans died in the war, Anton was fortu-nate to return, attend university, have a loving family and teach for the Toronto School Board. While with the Board of Education Anton served as president for 11 years of the War Veteran’s Asso-ciation of the School Board. He also joined the Canadian Legion upon his safe return from Europe and has been a member ever since. In addition to his teaching career, Anton was active in the Federation of Russian Canadians where he served as local president for many years and as National President for 8 years. Anton, now 90 years old, does not often recall the horrors of war, but remembers the good, more than the bad. To quote from his interview with the Toronto Star: “I suffer for an animal that suffers. Yet you’re brought to a point…that you shoot somebody, or you get shot. We’re all cultured people. We’re all human beings. See what politics can bring people to do?” Today, Anton and his wife Lida, after all these years, still hear of ongoing hor-rors of war, the same senseless atrocities he experienced first hand as a young man. On Wednesday, November 6, Club 626 Seniors will acknowledge Anton’s sacrifices and achievements during the war. He will be presented with greetings from the Ontario Region of Veterans

Affairs salut-ing him for “defending the values we still hold dear today: freedom, democracy and the rule of law.”

“I will remember Mary as a unique and wonderful personality, superb teacher and a royal example of absolute dedica-tion to the SME. From the time we first met (almost 20 years ago) up to our last performance with Mary (just a few months ago) I constantly felt her help and support. I learned so much from her during those years! I am very saddened that I will not be able to tell Mary how much I appre-ciate all she has done for the Ensemble’s prosperity. Mary’s departure is a great loss for the whole community and for me personally. This void will never be filled. Mary will be missed and remem-bered by every member of the SME.” – Alexander Veprinskiy

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“We have been so fortunate to have known Mary for many decades. Mary was always willing to help the Welland Orchestra and perform with them on occasion. Although Mary was an icon in the Ukrainian community, she was the most down to earth person… We will be forever thankful for Mary’s help and support… and will treasure the memo-ries of our association with her.” – Welland Mandolin Orchestra and Rudy Wasylenky, Conductor

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“Mary was a ‘rock’ which shaped my career as a symphonic player, strings teacher, and conductor. In the 50s when studying violin at the Royal Conserva-tory, her strong encouragement kept me wanting to stay enrolled and excel in becoming the player I became. This led to a career as a symphonic player, teach-er and coordinator of a school strings program, and conductor of the Trembita Folk Orchestra in Edmonotn. Although retired, I an still very active teaching and playing in Victoria. Thank you, Mary!!”

Mary (nee Oleksy) Clarke, Victoria, BC

- continued on page 11Anton Kulchin proudly carries Canadian flag in Warriors Day Parade.

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by IRA EROKHINAAt the end of July I had a wonderful weekend attending the Festival of Man-dolin Chamber Music in Bellows Falls, Vermont, US. When I heard about it, it didn’t take long to make up my mind – going there just seemed right thing to do. Lately I’ve made a lot of new friends on Facebook and now I could meet some of them personally. Timing was also good – in July I am not so busy with my teaching and could easily make some adjustments in my schedule. I never made a long road trip before and decided to give it a try. I made 800 km in two days with one stop for a refresh-ing night’s sleep and arrived in Bellows Falls earlier than expected which gave me time to walk around and take some pictures. Bellows Falls is a unique area of Vermont, a charming village with a pop-ulation of 3,000. It’s set neatly beside the Connecticut River, surrounded by beautiful mountains. I felt so relaxed in the peace and quiet of this old-fashioned place with 19th century brick buildings in the Village Square and Victorian style homes in the residential area. And this small village has its own Opera House! Festival activities started at 6:00 on Friday with a very nice home-made

dinner at the Immanuel Retreat Centre, the place where we were all staying and rehearsing. After this we immediately started to explore music together in preparation for our final concert. I just couldn’t have enough of playing duo on mandolins with the quest artist from Italy, Emanuele Cappellotto. I was so thrilled when he allowed me to play his beautiful Calace mandolin, taking my Martin instead. There was also the Italian mandolin of Carlo Mazzaccara, and I had a chance to play it and com-pare the instruments of two famous mandolin makers. We also had a few slots in between rehearsals for workshops on repertoire, technique and history. The history work-shop, given by Emanuele, was a real eye-opener for me. In the 12th century mandolins were tuned in 4ths, like my domra! The Milanese Baroque mandolin was also tuned in 4ths and Vivaldi wrote his mandolin pieces for this type of instrument. Around 1750 the Neapolitan mandolin was developed, not as a continuation of the early mandolins, but more as a rela-tive of Turkish tanbours and buzoks and was tuned in 5ths. What a delight was for me to see the picture of a Citareta – a small, 3-stringed instrument, identical

Festival of Mandolin Chamber Musicto the domra I play! My little domra had a sister in Italy a long time ago! August Watters, Music Director of the Festival, and a Professor at Berklee College of Music, gave us a very in-teresting journey in the history of the mandolin in America. The Festival culminated with the Sunday Concert in Immanuel Episcopal Church, made of stunningly beautiful stone. I played mandolin as a part of our group and had a chance to perform solo on my domra. Everyone contributed to the success of our program. We had a great concert! I am very happy that I was able to be there.

From the Editor: Where Ira’s refers to her ‘domra’, please note that she plays a 3-string Russian-style domra tuned in 4ths. The Ukrainian-style domra is tuned in 5ths like a mandolin.

Participants at the Festival of Mandolin Chamber Music, Bellow Falls, Vermont, USA Immanuel Episcopal ‘Stone ’Church

Mandolin varieties

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by KELLY PAULThe Classical Mandolin Society of America (CMSA) holds its annual convention in a selected North Amer-ican city. You may remember that the Toronto Mandolin Orchestra hosted the CMSA convention in 2002. The next one in Canada was in Montreal some five years ago. Regina, home of the Mounties, Snow Birds and Saskatche-wan Roughriders, was the city of choice for the convention this year, held from September 24– 29, and hosted by the Regina Mandolin Orchestra. Susan McLaughlin, the Regina host team leader, was a major contributor to the smooth execution of convention activities and was recognized for her leadership by Lou Chouinard, CMSA President. The Toronto Mandolin Orchestra was represented by Don Gonsalves and myself. There was yet another connec-tion. Peter Sawchyn (brother of Ginger Kautto) was the vendor of choice at the convention. Mandolins and guitars made by Peter were displayed at the conven-tion and one of the mandolin and guitar duets used a Sawchyn guitar for their performance. The first day of the Convention was an optional Teachers and Technique workshop for selected participants. Don and I very much appreciated the depth and breadth of learning from this special workshop, conducted by Chris Acquavella, a classical mandolinist and educator from San Diego, CA. Chris is an award winning solo player, the Artistic Director of the New Expressions Mandolin Orchestra as well as the San

CMSA Mandolin Convention in Regina Diego Classical Mandolin Camp. Some of his recent compositions for mandolin and ensembles have been published in Germany. The next day, there were several parallel workshop sessions, sectional rehearsals and en-masse rehearsals. In the workshops, Don focused on topics such as Gypsy Jazz and Swing Chords for Mandolin conducted by Tim Con-nell, a virtuoso multi-instrumentalist of Brazilian Choro Group “Rio Con Brio”; and techniques with Will Patton, a jazz mandolin player of the Will Patton Trio, specializing in Gypsy Swing, Jazz Standards. I focused on such workshop topics as Classical techniques and Baroque compositions of Doenico Scarlatti with Chris Acquavella; Bach’s compositions with Dr. Stefanie Rauch, guest mando-lin soloist from Germany; and Raffaele Calace Preludes with Bob Morgo, an accomplished classical mandolin and guitar player. The convention concert, held in the Regina Per-forming Arts Centre, was an outstanding success.Com-bined with very good publicity through local media, and the fact that the CMSA decid-ed to offer the concert free (all future concerts will also be

free), filling the concert hall was not a problem. Dr. Jim Bates did an outstanding job guiding the ‘en-masse’ orchestra through rehearsals and conducting the concert. Although an Amercian, he arranged a Canadian Folk Song Medley for orches-tra which was well appreciated by both the Canadian audience and the Canadian players in the orchestra. Highlights of the concert were Chris Acquavella and Dr. Stefanie Rauch performing mandolin solos and duets in classical style followed by the Will Pat-ton Trio (mandolin, guitar and fiddle) in a Jazz style, and joined by Tim Connell, the “Rio Con Brio” (mandolin and gui-tar). All were a thrill and musical treat for the capacity audience. As a finale, the ‘en-masse’ orchestra, about 100 performers, performed to the delight of the audience. There were about 12 Canadians in the ‘en-masse’ orchestra and even two Australian members who travelled a very long distance to participate.

‘En masse’ Convention orchestra conducted by Dr. Jim Bates, Professor of Music at Otterbein University in Ohio.

TMO members with new friends: Kelly Paul (far left), Susan McLaughlin (3rd from right) and Don Gonsalves (far right).

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Thoughts of Mary from page 8

“My remembrance of Mary will be, not of her musicianship, but of her as a fash-ion plate: Did you ever see Mary with a hair out of place or her makeup not right or her clothes mismatched or dishelved? NEVER! Not even when teaching at the Toronto Music Camp held every June at a rugged, rustic camp on the shore of Lake Couchiching, with limited plumbing, see-through floorboards, mosquitoes, June bugs and lumpy fields to cross. Mary must have slept sitting up because early in the morning every hair was fashionably coiffed, her makeup beautifully done and she was dressed ready to shop at some fashionable store in downtown Toronto! All the women at camp dressed in shorts or jeans with baggy T-shirts…often without bras. NOT MARY!”

– Daphiny Stewart, fellow music teacher, Toronto School Board

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“Two words – two among many – de-fine Mary: respect and dedication. She was always respectful of and to her family, her students, her colleagues and friends. She was also highly respected by everyone, especially by her peers. Mary was also a very dedicated person. Throughout her life she was dedicated to the values and visions passed on to her by her parents – the vision of a more just, more equitable world. Above all else, however, she was dedicated to the world of music. A patient and diligent teacher, she introduced generations of young people to that world and as an amazingly able artist – from her child-hood through all the years to the end – she also brought the world of music to countless Canadians.” – John Boyd, journalist

and long-time friend

“I meet Mary in Hamilton when she came to take part in our Festivals, conducting choirs from Toronto. But when I moved to Toronto our friendship became very warm, I think because of our love for music…Mary did a fantas-tic job singing ‘Stepom, stepom… as a matter of fact I have not heard anyone in Canada do a better job. Mary and I often

sang duets and I think Mary enjoyed that as much as I did. With Mary’s passing we lost a very talented person, a perfec-tionist in anything she did, and a great friend.”

– Natalie Mochoruk, Conductor‘Hahilka’ Women’s Choir

“When I was 10, I lived with my sister in Kirkland Lake, in the apartment in the back of the Ukrainian hall. Satur-day mornings Mary taught classes in Ukrainian and mandolin and violin. I was forbidden to go near the hall, but one morning I hid behind the door and listened. I was astonished to hear the most beautiful sound filling the hall, and the voice of the teacher explaining how to hold the mandolin. Then a beautiful young woman came to the door, saw me hiding, laughed and joined my sister for tea and cake.Little did I know that this same Mary, who appeared like an angel to me, would turn up in my life many years later as a concertmaster and friend. When I became a soloist with the Ensemble Mary and I shared dressing rooms in Massey Hall and elsewhere. I did not recognize this gracious woman (of whom I was in awe) as the young angel in Kirkland Lake until years later. Mary inspired me to sing better and encouraged me to speak our beautiful Ukrainian language… what a wonderful legacy she passed on to us and to gener-ations to come – the music Ukraine has to offer and to share witrh the world – in memory of a wonderful, kind, genuine person that Mary was. Her contribution will live forever!”

– Eva Beames,former soprano soloist with the Shevchenko Musical Ensemble

“Mary was my sister’s first teacher, my sister helped teach me, and later became a teacher, influencing many students and reflecting the spirit of Mary’s musi-cianship. And so, something vital of Mary’s spirit resides in a vast number of musicians and students through Mary, to Elsie, and to me. Struck by Mary’s outstanding work with choruses and orchestras, I yearned to become a conductor. In my earlier years, Mary’s father, William Pashka, coached me in Ukrainian folk dancing; all this took place at what we loving-ly called “ the hall “, at 300 Bathurst Street, where cultural activity was a splendid showcase. My sister and I played, sang, danced, did elocutions, amidst choral, orchestral, and dance presentations in great profusion, with Mary at the centre. Imagine my excite-ment when, for a time, I conducted the Shevchenko Musical Ensemble with Mary as MY concertmaster, a very spe-cial thrill! It was an amazing feeling of something ‘coming full circle’, coming ‘home’.Mary reached people, together with her remarkable musical senses, she also reached OUT to people, thousands of them, and perhaps hundreds of thou-sands in audiences, filling the hall to savour her artistry and the artistry she had built with the Ensemble. That she was able to continue through to her final years was a great gift to us all. Rarely has any musician created such a com-plete ‘circle’, one so full, so rich, and so memorable.”

– Walter Babiak, musician,conductor, composer

Eva Beames conducted by Eugene Dolny

Walter Babiak, Conductor

More “Thoughts of Mary” will appear in the next issue of the Shevchenko Ensemble Bulletin.

Sunday, October 20/13Annual BanquetHonouring Stan Nazarec1:00 PM - $50 person King’s Garden Banquet Hall15 Canmotor Ave, TorontoFinal draw of “1000 Club” Lottery.

Saturday, October 26/13Oktoberfest12 noon1604 Bloor St. W

November 24/13Grey Cup Party - 5:00 PM1604 Bloor St. W

Wednesday, November 6/13Club 626 Remembrance DayHonouring WW II VeteranAnton Kulchin10:30 AM • Lunch 12:30 PM

Sunday, December 1/13Toronto Mandolin OrchestraAndrew Chan, Harpist2 PM – $35 Glenn Gould Studio250 Front St. W, Toronto(see page 4 for more detail)

Sunday, December 8/13Club 626 SeniorsAnnual Christmas Party12 noon 1604 Bloor St. W, Toronto

Sunday, January 12/14AGM Shevchenko Guild2:30 PM • 626 Bathurst St

Saturday, February 22/14Choral ConcertShevchenko Choir andToronto’s Jubilate ChoirVenue and other details to be announced

Sunday, April 27/14Toronto Mandolin Orchestra and SoloistsSt. Andrew’s Anglican ChurchScarboroughTime to be confirmed

- continued

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what’s happening? Please support the Shevchenko Musical EnsembleThe Shevchenko Musical Ensemble has well earned a reputation for its outstanding quality of performance in the presentation of Ukrainian and other music.

This quality performance and the Ensemble’s very continuence is made possible by the generous financial suppport from Canadians.

Community support, from people like you, is the life blood of the organization. Without it the Shevchenko Ensemble could not achieve its high level of performance, nor continue to perpetuate and popularize the Ukrainian and other cultural traditions which make up the multicultural fabric of our country.

If you are a regular donor, please continue your generous support to help us develop new and creative artistic programs.

If you have not joined us yet, please donate today and become a part of this exciting cultural experience.

All donations are tax deductible, Reg. Nº 11905 1910 RR0001.

A sincere THANK YOU from all members of theShevchenko Musical Ensemble.

What’s Happening (continued)

Saturday, May 24/14Annual ConcertShevchenko Musical EnsembleMarking 200th Anniversary of Taras Shevchenko’s birthSt. Michael’s Centre for the Arts1515 Bathurst St • Toronto

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