NUMBER 73 OCTOBER 2012 626 BATHURST ST. TORONTO, ON ISSN-0703-9999 We need your help… Each fall, for 40 years since the incor- tell us that a wide spectrum of people tive office and building, which in turn poration of the Shevchenko Guild, the want to be part of this one-of-a-kind provides a venue for meetings and Shevchenko Musical Ensemble has re- cultural experience. events of Club 626 Seniors. ceived invaluable community support Through this support the Guild has The Guild sponsors the Shevchen- which has guaranteed the Ensemble’s maintained the Ensemble well, helping ko School of Music, which has been continuance and growth. to achieve remarkable levels of perfor- successful in bringing young people This moral and financial commu- mance by this unique arts group. to the performing group. nity support, from members, friends How is this done? This is precisely what the Shev- and readers of the Bulletin, exceeds First of all, it’s done by providing the cenko Guild and Ensemble are here all other sources of revenue including Ensemble with outstanding professional for – to consistently develop artisti- grants, fundraising events or concert artistic leadership. The Shevchenko cally as part of our mandate to main- ticket sales. Why? Because individual and Toronto Mandolin Orchestra tain a culture and present it to the donations, from people of many dif- are fortunate to have, for almost 20 broadest Canadian audience possible. ferent ethnic backgrounds, tell us that years now, a highly qualified and tal- Without support from the com- the work of the Guild and Ensemble is ented director in Alexander Veprinsky. munity, from people like you, the appreciated. It tells us that our pro- The Guild also provides professional Ensemble would not be able to con- grams are successful in reflecting not performers and soloists to augment the tinue to grow and prosper. only the Ukrainian heritage, but also Ensemble, and guest groups to share the Please give generously the heritage of many others, bringing Ensemble’s stage. to this year’s a richness to their lives. The donations The Guild maintains an administra- Sustaining Fund Drive!

In this issue …

• Mandolins come to Toronto Harbourfront

• Shevchenko Choir sings in Music Niagara Festival

• Toronto Mandolin Orchestra returns to Glenn Gould Studio Guest soloist Inga Filippova-Williams in Natalka’s Song from M. Lysenko’s opera Natalka Poltavka at Annual Concert of the Shevchenko Musical Ensemble. Club 626 Seniors News In Fond Memory Club 626 Seniors, now in its 26th year, continues to hold very interesting monthly meetings on the first Wednesday of each month The National Shevchenko (excluding the summer months of July and August). Musical Ensemble Guild Opening this season was guest speaker Wayne Gilbert who gave a very interesting talk on photography, complete with photographic of Canada examples of what not to do, and how to do. There were plenty of gratefully acknowledges questions, particularly relating to digital cameras and photo storage. contributions in memory At every meeting the business portion (which is very short) and of the following: the guest speaker are followed by a substantial lunch. Depending on the month, the lunch will be on a Thanksgiving theme (turkey), or  Easter (eggs and kobasa), or just a regular lunch of delicious sau- sages and sauerkraut. Marge Hunchik Guest speakers often cover matters of health such as safe and 2012 beneficial pharmaceuticals, home and food safety and much more. All meetings are held at 626 Bathurst Street. ✤ Michael Sportun Each season the Club also holds special events in other locations. To 2012 round out their season, they hold a Bar-B-Q in the beautiful back- yard of Stan and Evelyn Nazarec. This event has become known as Alex Kowalchuk the “Garlic Fest”. Held in August, soon after Stan has harvested his 2012 fantastic garlic, the highlight of the event is the raffling off of braids, bouquets and bags of wonderful organically grown garlic. Other events are the Christmas Party held in early December and the Spring Luncheon held in June. And in between these they get in at least one trip to either the Shaw or Stratford Shakespeare Festival.

A welcome new talent The Guild is happy to announce that Anna Veprinska has volun- teered to work on the Editorial Board of the Bulletin. Anna is s doing her PhD in Eng- lish Literature at York University in Toronto. Her writing and poetry have been published in various Canadian magazines. She has been playing the mandolin since she was seven years old, first as a member of the Shevchenko Children’s Mandolin Ensemble and currently, since 2005, as a member of the TMO. She is pleased to be part of the Everyone is welcome to join the Club. Bulletin’s writing and editing Call Membership Secretary Lydia Kit at 416-534-5272. team.

2 Orchestra concert to feature outstanding artists Following a highly successful con- cert at Toronto’s Harbourfront in July, the Toronto Mandolin Orches- tra, under the Artistic Direction of Alexander Veprinsky, is now gear- ing up for another concert in Glenn Gould Studio in November. Featured soloists Along with a new program of folk, world and popular classical music, the concert will feature a solo presentation, and performances with the orchestra, by Alexander Sevastian, an internationally-ac- claimed bayanist, currently based in Toronto. Born in Minsk, Belarus, Sevastian began playing the accordion at the age of seven. After finishing musical school in 1991, he attended his post-graduate course in . the Glinka Musical College in After moving to Toronto in 2001, Minsk, followed by the Gnessin he also completed an Advanced Academy of Music in Moscow. Certificate in Performance program In 1998 Sevastian studied with from the University of Toronto. Professor Elisbeth Moser at the In 2007 he was the winner of the Ira Erokhina, and you have one Sofia Goubaidulina Master Class in Coupe Mondiale World Accordion fabulous afternoon of music by Avignon, France. Championships in Washington, D.C. outstanding talents. From 1996 until 2001 he was Ira is not new to our readers, Alexander has performed across a member of the Russian TV and nor to our audiences. She has been Canada, as well as in Russia, Be- Radio Orchestra, recording TV a member and soloist with the larus, , Germany, Serbia, performances and radio tapes. Toronto Mandolin Orchestra since Italy, Portugal, Japan, Mexico, and In May 2002 Sevastian completed 2002. She received her education the USA. He has appeared as solo- at the Russian State Academy of ist with such prestigious orchestras Music in Moscow and was senior as the Toronto Symphony and the lecturer at that academy. She was Calgary Philharmonic. a soloist with the Osipov Folk Sevastian currently plays and Orchestra in Moscow for many tours with Toronto Woodwinds years, is also an award winning and Quartetto Gelato, two performer, and has been recorded internationally-renowned ensembles. in Russia and abroad. On November 11, with the Toronto Mandolin Orchestra, Toronto Mandolin Orchestra Alexander will perform Gypsy Sun. Nov. 11, 2012 • 2 PM Rhapsody by Russian composer, Viktor Gridin, himself an accom- Glenn Gould Studio plished bayanist; and Allegro from $35 • 416-533-2725 the Concerto for Bayan by Chaikin. ✦ Add to this another mesmerizing See back page for more details appearance by domra virtuoso, 3 Mandolins come to Toronto’s Harbourfront Toronto’s Harbourfront Centre, which performance of Introduction and Waltz Ontario, and the other facilities of the offers a myriad of activities for all from the filmDr. Zhivago. And to show theatre were very comfortable for the ages, introduced a program this sum- the versatility of this instrument (never musicians, making it a pleasurable mer called Classical IV: Strings. It mind the ability of the soloist), Ira event. Above all, the highly profes- was a showcase of different stringed ended with Flight of the Bumblebee to sional technicians and staff guaranteed instruments from around the world, the resounding applause from the hundreds the rehearsal and performance ran mandolin being one of those featured. in the audience. without a hitch, producing some of the The Toronto Mandolin Orchestra The remainder of the program best sound ever experienced by the was a great choice for this series with included Part IV of the Peer Gynt orchestra. its program of light classical music Suite, the Overture to Countess Marit- There was also time between the played in the classical mandolin style. za, Strauss’ Tritsch-tratsch Polka, rehearsal and performance to meander There was an excellent turn out for the Waltz from Shostakovich’s Jazz around the grounds of Harbourfront two rehearsals the week prior to the Suite, a lively tango, a Russian Gypsy and partake of various dishes of inter- concert which was held on Sunday, selection, and ended with the rousing national food. July 29. Soon conductor Alexander Russian folk song Pedlars. This got the Great performances like this are not Veprinsky and the musicians of the very receptive audience clapping along possible without the full participation orchestra were ready with a fast paced with the orchestra’s fast paced finale. and cooperation of the musicians. And and colourful program. Although the day was very hot, this here, our “hats off” to concertmaster They opened with Ukrainian Fan- proved to be one of the finest perfor- Mary Kuzyk, who at the tender age of tasy, a reflection of the Ukrainian roots mances for the orchestra. Nothing 93, endured the extreme heat, not only of the orchestra, and followed with can compare to performing for a new to perform successfully, but to tune Scherzo from Five Pictorial Sketches audience which is totally enraptured by instruments for others. for Orchestra by Canadian composer music they’ve not heard before. In addition to mandolin music, the Ben McPeek. As the show was set to begin, Classical IV: Strings series presented Domra soloist Ira Erokhina held people enjoying their day at Toronto’s songs and music from as far away as the audience in absolute awe with her beautiful Harbourfront, gravitated Gao, Mali performed by Sidi Touré towards the large outdoor West Jet whose songs and music are a tribute to stage, and soon numbered somewhere the Singhai folk traditions of Mali. between 700-800. The program also featured the often The outdoor stage, with a pic- maligned (albeit lovingly) ukelele. This turesque view of sailboats on Lake little instrument, which originated in

Ira Erokhina has the audience in awe Toronto Mandolin Orchestra featured in Classical IV: Strings at Toronto’s Harbourfront with Flight of the Bumblebee Centre on the shores of Lake Ontario. 4 In Brazil, choro combines the beau- tiful singing lines of the Portuguese melody with the life-giving heart- beat of Africa, yet retains a distinctly Brazilian personality. It is extremely virtuosic music that is played to sound very natural and spontaneous. Eric Stein shone as lead mandolin- ist in the group, accompanied by Joel Schwartz on mandolin, Avital Zemer on 7-string guitar and the amazing Maninho Costa on pandeiro, or tam- bourine.

Brazilian music by Tio Chorinho was also featured in the Harbourfront series. Eric Stein is on the left. Portugal and made popular in Hawaii, Jacob do Bandolim. is related to a number of South Ameri- Choro is primarily an instrumental can folk instruments. musical form which originated in Rio This brings me to another group de Janeiro in the mid-19th century. A that was part of the series featuring the complex popular musical form based mandolin.Tio Chorinho performed on on improvisation, it is best described in the Friday night prior to TMO’s con- American terms as “the New Orleans cert on Sunday. jazz of Brazil.” Founded by Eric Stein (mando-bass The word choro in Portuguese player with the TMO), Tio Chorinho literally means “to cry,” but the term is a new Toronto ensemble dedicated actually refers to the lilting or “weep- to performing Brazilian choro (pro- ing” qualities of the solo instrument, nounced SHOH-roh) music in the usually mandolin, , or clarinet. tradition of the great mandolin master The traditions that nurtured the cho- Jacob do Bandolim. ro in Rio in the late 1800s are pretty Since formed in 2009, the group much the same ones that brought about has developed an impressive repertoire the danzón in Cuba, the beguine in Photo: Jerry Dobrowolsky of familiar choro classics by such com- posers as Pixinguinha, Ernesto Naza- Martinique, and ragtime in the United “Dido, that was great!” reth, Waldyr Azavedo, and of course States. TMO’s youngest fan and Alexander’s first grandchild, Samuel.

The large, enthusiastic crowd at the performance by the Toronto Mandolin Orchestra at Harbourfront 5 Annual concert marks Guild’s 40th anniversary It was also a good reflection of the Natalka Poltavka. successful results of 40 years of The choir was right on in their support, care and maintenance by a capella folk song, Palala Sosna, the National Shevchenko Guild. arranged by A. Kushnirenko. The Souvenir Program carried a Again accompanied by orches- short history of the Guild marking tra, the choir performed Molotba the 40th Anniversary since its in- (Threshing) by G. Sviridov, a trib- corporation as a charitable organi- ute to the work of peasants result- zation to maintain and develop the ing in a rich harvest. Ensemble. Bass Herman Rombouts, who Joining the Ensemble on the has been a chorister and soloist program as guest group was the with the Ensemble for many years, Desna Ukrainian Dance Co. The conveyed heartfelt love for all dancers, in their usual spirited and mothers in Chornobryvtsi (Moth- near perfect form, performed Hut- er’s Marigolds) by contemporary sulka, the fieryGypsy Dance and Ukrainian composer V. Vermenych. the traditional Hopak, all choreo- Domra virtuoso Ira Erokhina graphed and staged by directors moved the audience (as she never Yuri and Luba Grekov. fails to do) with her outstanding Rudy Wasylenky, Board mem- performance of a new selection ber representing Ontario, and Along Muromskaya Road arranged The Shevchenko Musical Ensem- conductor of the Welland Mandolin ble, by opening its Annual Concert Orchestra, did a fine job as MC. with the passionate song Ukray- Under the baton of Alexander ina (Ukraine) by contemporary Veprinsky, Artistic Director, the composer T. Petrynenko, set the first half of the concert showcased stage for a wonderful program of the choir accompanied by the or- rich Ukrainian traditions and other chestra in Tsymboryky (Carpathian songs and music. Nightingales) by A. Kos-Anatolsky. The concert, held on May 27 Guest soloist in this selection was in the Isabel Bader Theatre of the soprano Inga Filippova-Williams. University of Toronto, was a show- With her astounding and beauti- case of some of the season’s finest ful operatic voice, Inga was also work by the Shevchenko Choir loudly applauded for her rendition and Toronto Mandolin Orchestra. of Natalka’s Song from the opera Shevchenko Choir and Toronto Mandolin Orchestra. Alexander Veprinsky, Artistic Director

Natalka’s Song Cossack Beyond the Danube Gypsy Dance Russian Folk Song 6 Annual concert marks Guild’s 40th anniversary Historic milestone by Alexander Tsygankov, former Macbeth by G Verdi demonstrated concertmaster of the Osipov Folk the choir’s versatility and its ability Excerpts from the printed Orchestra in Russia. to tackle such challenging pieces. Souvenir Program Hassan Anami, an outstanding Another “classic” by choir which This year marks 40 years tenor who perfected his craft in the audience loved was The Man since a new vision for the Azerbaijan, wowed the audience I Love by the Gershwin brothers future of the Shevchenko with the popular Granada by A. featuring the lovely solo voice of Musical Ensemble was born, Lara. Helen Spiers. a bold vision which reflect- In the second half of the pro- Tanya Podolskaya’s perfor- ed the reality of the times… gram the audience was treated mance of Under Paris Skies by H. more and more people from to more classical fare, as well as Giraud was well received as was all walks of life and different Canadian traditional songs. Helen Spiers rendition of Climb ethnic backgrounds were The orchestra opened this half Ev’ry Mountain by Rogers & Ham- joining the Ensemble and with two movements from the Peer merstein. new audiences were giving Gynt Suite Nº 1 by E. Grieg. The The beautiful Song of a Japa- their approval of the goals of choir and orchestra then moved nese Autumn by Y. Kuwahara the Ensemble. effortlessly to two Canadian songs performed by the orchestra brought The leadership knew that - Peg Leg’s Fiddle by Morris Sur- loud applause from the audience. the future of the Ensemble din and the French Canadian La As is always the case, the lie in its ability to become Laine des Mouton (Sheeps’ Wool). Ensemble returns to its Ukrainian relevant to as broad a cross- Patria Oppressa from the opera roots in the finale of the concert. section of Canadian society This year it featured soprano Inga as possible… they saw the Filippova-Williams, and tenor Has- Ensemble as a vehicle not san Anami as soloists with choir only for reflecting the Ukrai- and orchestra in the Finale based nian heritage, but a truly on excerpts from the opera Cossack Canadian culture. Beyond the Danube by S. Hulak- The National Shevchenko Artemovsky. Musical Ensemble Guild of Preceeded by Hopak performed Canada, incorporated in by the Desna Ukrainian Dance Co. 1972, was the first musi- it was a rousing climax to an af- cal guild established for an ternoon of great music and superb amateur arts group and the performanes by all the singers, first guild for a Ukrainian musicians and dancers. Canadian group.

Shevchenko Choir and Toronto Mandolin Orchestra. Alexander Veprinsky, Artistic Director

Russian Folk Song Granada Mother’s Marigolds Under Paris Skies Climb Ev’ry Mountain 7 Our sincere Honouring Florenz Seychuk thanks… Over the past 40 years, since the until 2011, Florenz delved deeply incorporation of the Guild, there into the many activities of the Last season the Board of Direc- have been hundreds of volunteers Guild. She displayed good lead- tors made a special appeal for serving on the Board of Directors, ership by always staying ontop a funds specifically allocated for the Executive Committee and many situation, and by reaching out and purchase of a new computer and a sub committees. These volunteers encouraging others to get involved photocopier. are the Guild’s precious gems, the in the work. treasures which give the organiza- Florenz herself participated on This appeal was made to a number tion true value and keep it healthy many committees, including the of people who have been exem- and active. Bingo committee, 1000 Club lot- plary supporters of the work of the tery, raffles and other fundraisers Shevchenko Ensemble, people we such as concert ticket sales, and believed we could count on. especially the annual banquet for which she did the lion’s share of And we were right. work. After stepping down as Presi- We are happy to announce that we dent of the Board, since 2012 received enough funds for a new Florenz accepted the responsibilty computer, but unfortunately, not of President of Club 626 Seniors. sufficient for the purchase of the At the banquet on Sunday, photocopier which we need to October 14, Florenz’s dedication reproduce the music for the choir and contribution to the Shevchenko and orchestra of the Ensemble. Musical Ensemble and Guild will The funds were also earmarked for be recognized and applauded. the upgrade and improvement of There will also be, as always, a our website. In today’s world, one’s delicious Ukrainian meal and great entertainment by the Ukrainian website is their first introduction, One of these volunteers is Florenz band known as “Prut”. their first impression, to an inter- Seychuk who will be honoured this Everyone is welcome to come ested party. It is important that our year at the Guild’s Annual Banquet out for a lovely fall dinner in hon- site be visually dynamic and that it on October 14. our of Florenz, a volunteer who has be constantly updated to reflect the Florenz has a long past in the done a yeoman job at keeping the current activities and concerts of the Ukrainian community. She was a wheels turning. Ensemble. member of the Toronto Mandolin Orchestra for many years and trav- We are fortunate, and happy to an- elled with the Ensemble both on its nounce, that the donations received cross Canada tour in 1964 and the Annual Banquet will cover the cost of a professional Ukraine tour in 1970. upgrade to our website. Honouring Florenz Seychuk Because of shift work, Florenz experienced a hiatus from the Sunday, October 14 A huge, heartfelt “Thank you” to orchestra and organizational work 1:00 PM all those who responded to our for a period time, but soon after appeal with such generosity. It is retirement, she returned to “active King’s Garden Banquet Hall greatly appreciated by the Board of 15 Canmotor Ave Directors and all members of the service”. (south off The Queensway between Royal York & Islington Shevchenko Musical Ensemble. She served on the Board of Di- rectors for many years and in 2006 $55.00 person was elected President of the Board. – Board of Directors Call 416-533-2725 During her 5 years as President

8 Shevchenko Choir performs at A day in the life Music Niagara Festival of a singer On the scorching afternoon of July clear and audible throughout the 22, 2012, the Shevchenko Choir performance. The sound tech- Impressions of the was invited to perform in Simcoe nician was knowledgeable and Niagara concert Park as part of Music Niagara, cooperative. by Helen Spiers Niagara-on-the-Lake’s annual In an interview following the In any case this is how the music festival. concert, conductor Alexander day went - we arrived at 11:30 and some of us arrived at 10:30 (the traffic was great!). Everyone who committed to coming did come and we waited two and a half hours in back of the band shell for the convenors to show up before Alexander could do a sound check. Finally two men came Shevchenko Choir on open air stage in Simcoe Park, Niagara-on-the-Lake on a (very nice to deal with by the scorching hot July day. Photo: Bernardine Dobrowolsky way) to set up the mikes and Conducted by Alexander commented, “In my opinion, sound equipment. There was Veprinsky and accompanied by concerts like these are very useful some background noise with pianist Elena Zviagina, the hour- for the choir, not only because we the mikes, of course. long concert consisted of an need practice performing, but also We started our rehearsal international selection of music, because this is the best form of at 1:00 pm, finished at 1:30 including Ukrayina (Ukraine), Va advertisement for us. People who pm, dressed in a two stall Koozneetse (Russian folk song listened to us at the performance washroom or in back of our “In the Smithy”), the Sephardic may become our future audience.” cars, got on the stage at 2 pm folk song Adio Querida, and Bob Now in its fourteenth season, and sang 13 songs dripping Dylan’s Blowing in the Wind. Music Niagara is a month- wet from our sweat because Soloists with the choir included long summer festival featuring the temperature was 40 F in Herman Rombouts, who sang the musicians from across Canada and the shade. popular Russian folk song Styenka abroad who perform classical, jazz, Razin; Helen Spiers, who sang We sure felt sorry for Alex- Gershwin’s The Man I Love; and vocal, country, and choral music. ander because he was in the Hassan Anami who closed the The beautiful settings of Niagara- sun the entire performance. I program with the Ukrainian folk on-the-Lake attract both a local think we did a very good job song Rozpryahayte (Unharness the audience and tourists. singing considering the ter- Horses, Lads). This was the choir’s first rible heat we had. Despite the heat, the choir performance at Music Niagara. If it weren’t so uncom- performed with dedication and Impressed with the choir’s calibre, fortable we may have had enthusiasm, feelings that the audi- organizers of the festival promised a larger audience because ence reciprocated with fervent to invite the choir in future years. there were plenty of people applause. The close of the concert left up the street. Also commendable was the everyone exhausted but pleased. However, it sure beat concert’s sound, which was singing in the rain!

9 Serbian Choir to join Shevchenko in concert For the annual Choral Concert, to be held on Sunday, February 3 this season, the Shevchenko Choir has invited the Kir Stefan the Serb Choir as their guests. Named after the first known me- dieval Serbian composer Kir Stefan the Serb, the choir was established in 2000 under the jurisdiction of St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church and was inaugurated in 2011 as the official choir of the Serbian Ortho- dox Diocese of Canada. Its mission is to be the ambassador of Serbian culture in Toronto and Canada. In addition to its liturgical repertoire, the choir also performs Serbian folk and contemporary songs. Kir Stefan the Serb Choir at Koerner Hall, Royal Conservatory of Music

Direction of Jasmina Vucurovic with some of Canada’s most distin- who holds two Master of Music guished singers and instrumental- degrees – one in piano performance ists. from the University of Arts in Bel- The Shevchenko Choir of the grade, the other in conducting from Shevchenko Musical Ensemble, the University of Toronto. under the direction of Alexander Jasmina has performed as pianist Veprinsky, will present a new pro- or as conductor in Canada and the gam of Ukrainian folk and contem- US, in England, Sweden, Slovenia, porary songs, as well as other folk Croatia and Serbia. songs and classical choruses. As a vocal coach, Ms. Vucurovic This concert is always a very Jasmina Vucurovic, Artistic Director was a member of the Canadian fine choral treat which helps to Opera Company Ensemble Studio. warm the hearts on a cold winter In it’s relatively short history the She also worked for 10 years as an day. choir has performed in the GTA, in opera coach and rehearsal pianist for More detailed information of Ottawa, Kitchener, Niagara Falls, Opera Atelier. An active chamber this event will follow in the New Whitby, Hamilton, Chicago, Bos- musician, Jasmina has performed Year. ton, Portland and New York. It has also had the fortune to perform in London, England, Stockholm and Belgrade. The choir has initiated or per- formed in such events as North York Culture Days, the World Mu- sic fundraising concert for which they presented popular music from Cuba, Spain, Italy, Greece and Serbia. The choir is under the Artistic 10 what’s happening? Please give us your support The Shevchenko Musical Ensemble has well earned its reputation as Sunday, October 14/12 one of the finest exponents of Ukrainian choral and orchestral music. Annual Banquet It has also shown to be one of the most innovative amateur musical Honouring Florenz Seychuk organizations in this country. 1:00 P.M. - $55.00 King’s Garden Banquet Hall The Ensemble’s high quality of performance in its presentaton of 15 Canmotor Ave, Toronto Ukrainian and other cultures, is thanks to the generous moral and financial support, for over 40 years, from Canadians of many differ- Sunday, Nov. 11/12 ent ethnic backgrounds. Toronto Mandolin Orchestra The life blood of the Shevchenko Ensemble is the support it gets Guest Artist from this broad community. Without it the Ensemble could not Alexander Sevastian, bayan achieve this high level of performance, nor continue to perpetuate 2:00 P.M. – $35 and popularize the cultural traditions of the Ukrainian people and of Glenn Gould Studio many others in the multicultural mosaic of Canada. 250 Front St. W, Toronto The Guild’s Annual Sustaining Fund Drive, in support of the Ensem- Sunday, Dec. 4/12 ble, is now underway and we need your help. Club 626 Seniors Annual Christmas Party If you are a regular donor, you have our heartfelt thanks. Please 12 noon continue your support to help us develop new and creative artistic 1604 Bloor St. W programs. Toronto If you have not joined us as yet, please do so today and become a part Sunday, February 3/13 of this one-of-a-kind cultural experience. Shevchenko Choir Guest Artists All donations are tax deductible (Reg. No. 11905 1910 RR0001). Kir Stefan the Serb Choir Thank you sincerely from all the 2:00 P.M. Columbus Centre singers and musicians of the 901 Lawrece Ave. W Shevchenko Musical Ensemble Toronto

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 RR0001 626 Bathurst St, Toronto, ON M5S 2R1 Phone 416-533-2725 • Fax 416-533-6348 E-mail: [email protected] www.shevchenkomusic.com Editorial: Anna Veprinska, Ginger Kautto Photography by Wayne Gilbert of GPS Digital Photo Images unless otherwise noted

11 Alexander Sevastian and TORONTO MANDOLIN his instrument will take the audience on ORCHESTRA an extraordinary Alexander Veprinsky, Artistic Director/Conductor musical adventure of classical music of impeccable arrangements guest artist for the bayan Alexander and performed by an Sevastian artist completely dedicated to his art; World class bayanist, currently a member of Canada’s classical and folk music popular Quartetto Gelato delivered with a good dose of humour. “Johann Sebastian would himself have marvelled at the colours His engaging rapport Sevastian’s fleet fingers pulled from his instrument. Astonishing!” with the audience and - Oliver Daily News, Oliver, Canada the chemistry between Alexander and his audience creates a memorable experience not to be missed. domra virtuoso Ira Erokhina

Ira Erohina Former soloist with the world resident domra soloist renowned Osipov Folk with the Toronto Mandolin Orchestra of Russia Orchestra will keep the audience in awe as On the program: her fingers move with Gypsy Rhapsody by V. Gridin for Bayan & Orchestra lightning speed up and Concrto for Bayan by N. Chaikin Russian Two-Step by A. Tsygankov for Domra & Orchestra down her instrument. In A Persian Market by A.Ketelbey Caucasian Sketches Sardar’s Processional by M. Ippolitov-Ivanov The Toronto Mandolin and much more… Orchestra performing the intricate arrangements by Alexander Veprinsky Sunday Nov. 11, 2012 • 2:00 PM Glenn Gould Studio • CBC • 250 Front St. W is said to be “…the premier mandolin $35 • Call 416-533-2725 • [email protected] orchestra in North VISA orders add $2 per ticket America.”

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