NUMBER 77 OCTOBER 2014 626 BATHURST ST. TORONTO, ON ISSN-0703-9999 Community support is the life blood of Ensemble Each fall the National Shevchenko Without this support the Ensem- Musical Ensemble Guild of Cana- ble could not continue to bring In this issue … da appeals to the community for the finest of Ukrainian and other • Toronto Mandolin Orchestra financial support for the programs traditions to thousands of music at Trinity-St. Paul’s Centre and further artistic development of lovers. the Shevchenko Musical Ensemble. Please give generously to this • Shevchenko Musical Ensemble’s Tribute to Taras Funds raised in this campaign Annual Sustaining Fund Drive. Shevchenko will guarantee that this unique Help maintain and further performing arts group will contin- develop one of Canada’s finest • Annual Banquet to honour ue to perpetuate the culture of its exponents of Ukrainian choral and Ruth Budd founders, blending this with the orchestral music. • John Boyd on the musical traditions of many other And by giving your support to eccentricities of the English Canadians. the Shevchenko Musical Ensemble language The performers in the Ensemble, you also become part of this One- • Choral Concert with tribute as well as volunteers on the Board of-a-Kind cultural experience. to the late Pete Seeger and other committees, freely give Thank you sincerely. of their time and talents to sustain this group. However, the life blood of a group such as ours is the support it receives from the community, from readers of the Bulletin who love and appreciate the cultural traditions preserved in the multi- cultural mosaic of Canada. Without this support the En- semble could not achieve its high level of performance, nor continue to provide musical instruction and activity for youth and adults. Without this support the Ensem- ble could not develop new and creative artistic programs. Club 626 Seniors News Banquet to honour an “old pro” Two outings by Club 626 Seniors sessions on a monthly or weekly basis The Guild’s Annual Banquet, to be Studying to become a pharmacist in during the McCarthy Era, were barred rounded off a very successful fun-filled right here at Guild headquarters. In Fond Memory held on October 19, will honour a Vancouver, she also joined the Junior from entering the United States. Their season. Unfortunately, the scheduled trip to very active, and youthful, 90 year old Symphony where she took lessons presence on American soil was “…detri- In June a busload of seniors made Shaw Festival was cancelled, but Club musician. from the principal bass player of the mental to the best interests of the US…” the trek to Brantford for a cruise on the members are now looking forward to The National Shevchenko Ruth Budd, a long-time admirer, Vancouver Symphony Orchestra. She supposedly due to their association with Grand River. This historic river flows the annual Christmas Party which will Musical Ensemble Guild supporter and member of the Shev- soon got a position in the symphony left-wing organizations. from its source near Wareham south of be held on December 7 at the Ukrainian chenko Musical Ensemble, will be the which convinced her that her future lie At the end of the 1951-52 TSO sea- Georgian Bay to Port Maitland where Cultural Centre at 1604 Bloor St. W. of Canada centre of attention that afternoon. in music. son, the contracts of these six outstand- it empties into the north shore of Lake Everyone is welcome to join the gratefully acknowledges While playing in both symphonies, ing musicians were not renewed. Being Erie. Prior to embarking, members Club (annual membership fee is only contributions in memory Ruth got a day job in the BC shipyards black-listed not only seriously affected viewed a video highlighting the river’s $20) and members and non-members and here she organized performing their professional work, but also their re- importance, not only to the aboriginal alike are welcome to attend the events of the following: groups from among the dock workers. lationships with friends and colleagues, population, but also to early settle- and participate in the outings. These dock-side performances raised who, in fear of losing their jobs, turned ment and the transportation of goods Call Lydia Kit (416-534-5272) to thousands of dollars for the war effort their backs on the six. throughout the area. This was followed join the Club and June Morris George Keniak during World War II. In 1964 Ruth was invited back into by an outstanding performance by The (416-447-5962) or Lili Pelowich 2014 Ruth was soon offered a scholarship the TSO and played with them until her Blazing Fiddles, a roots/country group (416-225-0285) to register for Club to study at the University of Toronto’s retirement in 1989. who treated the audience to a rousing outings. Lillian Saiger Faculty of Music, and to raise the Soon after, Ruth re-established her program of showtunes and jazz as well Monthly meetings are held on the 2014 necessary funds she joined an all-girls’ contact with the Shevchenko Ensemble as Celtic and classical music. first Wednesday of each month at the band. Once in Toronto, in the early by serving on the Board of Directors, the Once on the boat and cruising down Shevchenko Centre, 626 Bathurst St. Melody Sas 1950s, she toured with a song group Executive Committee and the Artistic the gently flowing river, a delicious hot 2014 – forerunner to the Travellers – led by Committee. When back problems made lunch was served. The combined atmo- Fagel Gartner. it too difficult to play bass in the Toronto sphere of fresh air and good food was Luba Kovach At the early age of 23 Ruth was Mandolin Orchestra, she simply trans- very relaxing and enjoyable. 2014 Ruth’s association with the En- accepted into the Toronto Symphony ferred her talent to the mandola section In August a large crowd gatherd at semble goes back to the 1970s when, Orchestra, the first female bass player where she still performs today. the home of Stan and Evelyn Nazarec Walter Kowman under the direction of Eugene Dolny, in the TSO and possibly the first profes- There is a great deal more to say for the Annual “Garlic Fest” Bar-B-Q 2014 this unique group developed into a sional woman bass player in Canada. about Ruth Budd and her active, very which once again featured Stan’s home- major musical force on the Toronto arts Ruth was also the sole woman in interesting and exceptional life. grown garlic as door prizes. Anne Moroz scene. the notorious “Symphony Six” along But you will have to come out to the The Club’s new season opened with a 2014 This was due in good part to with Steven Staryk, Abe Manheim, Bill banquet on October 19 to hear the full a visit by registered massage therapist, Ruth Budd’s encouragement and the Kuinka, John Moskalyk and Dirk Keet- story. The evening promises a delicious Irene Hill who demonstrated how relax- suggestion that the Ensemble begin baas, who, while on concert tour in 1951 meal, outstanding entertainment and a ing, yet invigorating, a body massage Taking in the beauty of the Grand River and to commission new Canadian works. warm and friendly atmosphere. can be. Members were so enthusiastic surrounding area. These ambitious creations, in the words about this experience and the health The BULLETIN of John Fraser of the Globe and Mail, benefits of a therapeutic massage that Published semi-annually with the put the Ensemble “…in the forefront of they plan to have the masseuse offer support of the City of Toronto through the Toronto Arts Council • Issued by the all ethnic organizations in this country.” National Shevchenko Musical Ensemble Ruth’s association with Ukrainian culture extends to her childhood when Guild of Canada, a federally incorporated she first studied mandolin under Nick charitable cultural institution, Hoculak at the Winnipeg Ukrainian Reg. Nº 11905 1910 RR0001 Labour Temple. She later went on to 626 Bathurst St, Toronto, ON M5S 2R1 study violin and piano. While in the Enjoying delicious burgers and sausage. Phone 416-533-2725 • Fax 416-533-6348 high school orchestra preparing for a E-mail: [email protected] festival, the bass player broke his arm www.shevchenkomusic.com and when the teacher asked if someone Editorial: Ginger Kautto, Larissa Stavroff, could replace him, Ruth enthusiastically and Anna Veprinska volunteered. But the teacher skoffed Contributors: Kelly Paul “…a girl can’t play a bass.” That’s all Ruth needed to make her all the more Sons and grandsons cooked and served Photographs by Wayne Gilbert the food. Guild President André Denton of GPS Digital Photo Images unless determined to prove that girls can Photos by George Rayko Photos by George flips a burger while Kelson Morris waits otherwise noted. indeed play a bass. And so began her to serve the order. Kaleff and Max Morris Stan’s grandsons, Brock and Spencer, long love affair with the contrabass. Ruth congratulates composer Morris Surdin and conductor Eugene Dolny on the premiere are elsewhere delivering sausages. warmly greeted each Senior upon arrival. performance of “Suite Canadiene” by the Shevchenko Ensemble. Massey Hall, 1970. 2 3 Trinity-St.Paul’s Centre Remembering dear Kaleidoscope of Strings by Toronto Mandolin Orchestra The new venue for this year’s concert of The Trinity-St. Paul’s Sanctuary/ friends The Toronto Mandolin Orchestra, under competitions, Ms. Erokhina has recorded the Toronto Mandolin Orchestra is the Jeanne Lamon Hall is great for con- the artistic direction of Alexander Ve- for television and radio both in Russia Trinity-St.