Singing Tradition
Dorothy Waslo can remember childhood in her Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Ambridge, where a band of singers would amass at the holidays and set out on foot to parishioners' homes.
“We would go house to house caroling ... give them well wishing,” said Waslo, director of the Ukrainian Cultural Trust Choir of Western Pennsylvania.
Although neighborhood parishes have begun to fade, the choir continues the tradition by traveling to churches in the region instead of homes.
The choir will perform Dec. 26 at SS. Peter and Paul Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Lyndora.
“Some of the songs are distinctly Ukrainian in origin: There will be some hymns that the general public may not be familiar with,” said the Rev. Paisius McGrath, pastor of SS. Peter and Paul.
“The songs are both religious, called ‘kolaydi' (carols) or ‘shed reiv keki' (well wishing songs),” Waslo said.
Although most of the lyrics will be sung in Ukrainian, one tune, at least, will likely be recognized.
The holiday classic “Carol of the Bells” also is known as the “Ukrainian Bell Carol.” It is credited to Ukrainian composer Mykola Leontovych, who is said to have based the miniature choral work on an ancient pagan New Year's chant.
According to online sources, Leontovych completed the work around 1916. It was introduced to Americans in 1921, when the Ukrainian National Chorus performed at Carnegie Hall. It was adapted to English in the 1930s.
In addition to performing “Carol of the Bells” in its original form, the choir will wear traditional Ukrainian embroidered shirts and will sing four-part a cappella except in limited instances when the bandura, a traditional stringed instrument, is featured.
“We actually stand in the back of the church in the vestibule until we are introduced,” Waslo said.
“In lieu of walking into their homes, we walk together down the aisles singing ‘Good evening to you man of this house. Thank you for allowing us to come into your home and sing and express our joy at the birth of Christ.'”
Now in its 19th year, the choir began with fewer than 20 members.
“We now have almost 30,” Waslo said, noting the members range from 18 to 70 years old.
The nonprofit group performs four to six concerts a year, usually around Christmas and Lent. The group accepts invitations from groups in the region regardless of their religious focus.
Members are equally as diverse.
“Some are Orthodox; some are Catholic; some are Baptists,” Waslo said. “It doesn't matter as long as they want to sing these traditional musical pieces.”
The group practices weekly in the Pittsburgh area.
“We do this to continue our heritage, our customs. We don't want to lose our nationality,” Waslo said.
<b>WHAT: </b>Christmas concert performed by the Ukrainian Cultural Trust Choir of Western Pennsylvania<b>WHEN: </b>3 p.m. Dec. 26<b>WHERE:</b> SS. Peter and Paul Ukrainian Orthodox Church, corner of Arbor and Evergreen Streets in Lyndora<b>COST: </b>Concert is free, but donations will be accepted.
