Untitled Document

Travel with us as we look over the history of Hoosli, from its early days through to yesterday.

Origins

1970s

1980s

1990s

2000s

2010 & Beyond

In September of 1969, Walter Zulak organized a dozen or so alumni of a high school/minor seminary in Roblin, Manitoba, into a male chorus, known, quite appropriately, as the St. Vladimir's College Alumni Choir. It was there, under the leadership and direction of Dr. Paul Macenko, new life and understanding was breathed into a forgotten tradition. Inspired by their instruction and instructors at the college, their objectives were clear: to encourage, promote, and preserve their Ukrainian heritage as part of the mosaic that makes up Canada's rich culture.

Their original performing venues were the various Ukrainian Catholic Parishes in Winnipeg and rural Manitoba, where they were best known for singing of the Divine Liturgy, social events, and concerts. Having performed widely in Manitoba, as well as in Saskatoon and Kenora, in May of 1973 the group traveled to Omaha, Nebraska. In 1975, they joined with a dance troupe and popular band, "The About Five" (also with roots from St. Vladimir's College), and formed the group Hoosli. The name, suggested by Dr. Macenko but unfamiliar to many, is that of an ancient instrument similar to a zither.

Things moved quickly along after that, and highlights of the 70’s include:

The release of their first recording in the spring of 1976

A concert tour of Saskatchewan in the fall of 1976

A California concert tour of San Diego and Los Angeles in 1977

The 1970's came to a close with the celebration of Hoosli's 10th Anniversary and an appearance in "Feast of Koliada", a part of a CBC national television series, "Musicamera".

The 1980's brought major changes to the group. In the summer of 1980, Walter Zulak, their motivating force to this point, moved to Alberta in the pursuit of business, and handed over the reins of Choir Director to Michael Zakaluzny. These were difficult times as Hoosli had to re-establish membership, repertoire and a functional organization. In 1981, Tom Sobkow was introduced as Artistic Director. Tom was a long time member of Hoosli and held a similar position under Walter Zulak in the late 1970's. He shared the same vision and enthusiasm that sparked the spirit of Hoosli, and with his background in the performing arts, Hoosli achieved a new level of performance.

In 1984, the Ukrainian National Home Association opened its doors to Hoosli as a permanent rehearsal facility and a base for operations. With that, the organization grew to include a Board of Directors, the adoption of a Constitution in 1986, Incorporation in 1988, and achieving status as a charitable organization in 1989. Choir membership was reviewed and opened to all members of the Ukrainian community, and in the spirit of the millennium, now includes members of both the Catholic and Orthodox faiths.

The artistic production team expanded to include William Solomon as Choral Director in 1985, and Cecil Semchyshyn as Artistic Director in 1988. They brought with them a vast knowledge of Ukrainian folk music, the male chorus and choral singing in general.

A retrospective look of the 80's includes:

The release of their second and third recordings in 1984 and 1987 respectively

Appearances at various festivals including Ukrainian Festival (Gardenton, MB), Veselka Festival (Foam Lake, SK),
Pysanka Festival (Vegreville, AB), Canada's National Ukrainian Festival (Dauphin, MB), Vesna Festival (Saskatoon, SK),
Ukrainian Festival (Holmdel, NJ) and Ukrainian Festival (Edmonton, AB)

Annual performances at the Kyiv Pavilion of Folklorama

Competing victoriously in its class in two consecutive Manitoba Music Festival competitions

Appearances on local CBC productions including Christmas Specials ('84, '89), and the Children's Miracle
Telethon ('87-'89)

Millennium celebrations in Minneapolis, Minnesota in the fall of 1988

Entering its 20th year, the 1990’s saw an influx of a new members into the Hoosli Ukrainian Male Chorus, both from its traditional source of membership at St. Vladimir’s College, and from the greater Ukrainian community of Winnipeg.

The group celebrated three anniversaries during these years. On February 4, 1990, a Gala Concert was held to celebrate its 20th Anniversary. And on October 27, 1995, they held a Dinner Cabaret to commemorate their 25th Anniversary. Closing out the decade, on November 5, 1999, their 30th Anniversary was celebrated with a dinner, dance and choral program under the direction of William Solomon and assistant conductor Michael Ryczak.

Beyond the anniversaries, the 90’s was busy decade, which included:

The release of their fourth and fifth recordings in 1991 and 1994 respectively

Participating in Malanka Celebrations at Jasper Park Lodge, hosted by Vohon Dance Ensemble, in 1996 and 1997

Annual performances at the Kyiv Pavilion of Folklorama

Participation in Troyanda Ukrainian Dance Ensemble's 20th Anniversary

The release of their sixth recording in 1998

Heading into the 21st century and its third decade of existence, Hoosli continued to move forward and progress, but kept an eye to its rich past of not only song, but music. The Zoloti Struny Bandura Ensemble, a group of women dedicated to the playing of the Bandura, Ukraine’s national instrument, became an integral part of Hoosli’s performances and its next recording.

In 2002, with a little sadness, but with its sights on the future, the direction of the choir was passed along from Bill Solomon to Michael Ryczak. Michael Zakaluzny returned to the choir to fill the position of Assistant Conductor.

Hoosli has been busy with:

Celebrating the 75th Anniversary of St. Michael's Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Minneapolis, incorporating Zoloti Struny
and the Rozmai Dance Ensemble into their performance

Annual performances at the Kyiv Pavilion of Folklorama

Participation in Rusalka Ukrainian Dance Ensemble's 40th Anniversary

The release of their seventh recording in 2003

Participation in Troyanda Ukrainian Dance Ensemble's 25th Anniversary

On October 23rd, 2004, Hoosli celebrated their 35th Anniversary with a Cabaret evening, featuring guest performers Zoloti Struny and Rusalka, and a female chorus joining for a Volyn suite. The first thirty-five years of Hoosli's history were filled with many successes, memorable events and continued growth. Through all the changes throughout the years, Hoosli's direction is focused on the preservation of Ukrainian Culture through song, music and dance. They shared that history as a part of their celebrations, and look forward to doing so for 35 more years.

In September 2005 Hoosli was honoured when renowned conductor William Solomon returned to the group as Choir Conductor. The addition of talented accordionist Ken Kuchma soon after, as well as a fresh wave of young talent, has ensured Hoosli continues to perform on a level all its own!

In May of 2008, Hoosli embarked on their first road trip in many years, performing at Vesna Ukrainian Festival in Saskatoon.

Hoosli began its 40th Anniversary celebrations with a banquet and dance on Saturday, April 25, 2009. The evening was a beautiful event full of reminiscing about the past and dreaming of the future. A magnificent video scrapbook of Hoosli’s forty year history, which was produced by Myles Burdeniuk, provided a very poignant and powerful retrospective of how Hoosli became what it is today.

The 40th Anniversary Gala Concert, held on Saturday, October 24, 2009, was Hoosli’s first concert production in Winnipeg in 20 years. The event truly lived up to its billing. Featuring guest artists Orlan Ukrainian Dance Ensemble, Zoloti Struny Bandura Ensemble, and Rusalka Ukrainian Dance Ensemble, this concert was one of the most entertaining productions that Winnipeg’s Ukrainian community had seen in years. Featuring selections from the full range of Hoosli’s repertoire, the audience was treated to moving liturgical pieces, poignant historical songs, fun and rousing folk songs, with the centerpiece of the concert being the majestic and powerful Zaporozian Suite, featuring 34 vocalists and 16 dancers recreating the lives of the kozaky.

After more than three years of work, Hoosli Ukrainian Male Chorus proudly released its eighth studio album – Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom in the Byzantine Rite – at the 40th Anniversary Gala Concert. Under the direction of William Solomon, and featuring special guest celebrant Reverend Father Alexander Harkavyi, Hoosli’s Divine Liturgy presents compositions and arrangements by some of the most celebrated names in Ukrainian Liturgical Music.

As Hoosli embarks on its fifth decade, the spirit and enthusiasm of its 40th Anniversary celebrations, along with the release of its eighth album, will propel them forward as we continue to preserve and promote the Ukrainian heritage through our celebration of spirit and song. Stay tuned…