Paska with Saffron
AUUC VANCOUVER-Ukrainian Cultural Center
Keeping Ukrainian-Canadian culture alive since 1918
The Barvinok Choir
Хор Барвінок
The Barvinok Choir is a vibrant Ukrainian folk choir based in Vancouver, conducted by Olesia Shewchuk. Known for its moving and lively performances, and its fun and welcoming people, Barvinok Choir is dedicated to bringing community together to celebrate, preserve and uphold Ukrainian culture through folk music
About Our Choir
Barvinok Choir is a vibrant Ukrainian folk choir, conducted by Olesia Shewchuk, and accompanied by Elaine Jo, with over 30 members based in Vancouver, British Columbia.
Barvinok rehearses on Wednesday evenings, 7:15-9:15pm at the Ukrainian Hall at 805. E Pender St (at Hawkes St). The season runs September through June and includes at least 3 performances per year.
For interested new members, we accept Sopranos, Altos, Tenors and Bass
of all backgrounds, ages, and abilities that are united by an appreciation for Ukrainian folk music.
For any questions, or to schedule a 15 minute consultation,
please email barvinokchoir@gmail.com
If you are interested in booking the choir for a performance
please email barvinokchoir@gmail.com
Хор «Барвінок» — це яскравий український народний хор, який керує Олеся Шевчук і налічує понад 30 учасників у Ванкувері, Британські Колумбії. Барвінок репетирує в середу ввечері з 19:15 до 21:15 в Ukrainian Hall за адресою 805. E Pender St (at Hawkes St). Сезон триває з вересня до червня, і включає щонайменше три вистави на рік. Хор «Барвінок» покликаний об’єднувати громаду для святкування, збереження та підтримки української культури через народну музику.
Для зацікавлених нових учасників ми приймаємо сопрано, альтів, тенорів і баси будь-якого походження, віку та здібностей, які об’єднані цінуванням української народної музики.
З будь-якими запитаннями або записом на 15-хвилинну консультацію
пишіть на електронну пошту barvinokchoir@gmail.com
Якщо ви зацікавлені, щоб хор вистипив,
будь ласка, напишіть на електронну адресу barvinokchoir@gmail.com
Meet Our Conductor
Our History
Choirs have been an integral part of the Ukrainian Cultural Centre for over 90 years. The AUUC choir had changed names throughout the years (including the Jubilee Choir since 1978), before finally settling upon the name Barvinok Choir in 1998. Through the years such noted directors as Roman Nazarkevich, Demian Vykhristow, Mike Malanchuk, John Chitrenky, Bill Philipovich, Bill Chomyn, Karl Kobylansky, Walter Yakimchuk, John Niechoda, Libby Griffin and Vanya Soychuke have played an important part in the enhancement of Ukrainian choral music in the Vancouver AUUC. Between 2001 and 2022, the choir was conducted by one of the core and long-term members of Vancouver’s music scene, Beverly Dobrinsky. In 2022, Olesia Shewchuk took the helm of the Barvinok Choir and strives to grow the community and ignite passion for Ukrainian folk music during these challenging times.
Barvinok, or a periwinkle, is a beautiful violet coloured spring flower whose leaves lend themselves well to weaving wreaths. These wreaths were often used by young women to toss into the rivers during the spring rites of Ivana Kupala. The wedding bread or Korovaij, was also decorated with a circlet of Barvinok.
Photo by Sasha Martyniuk