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Ukrainian Contributions To American Culture By LUBA U. KOWALSKA Summary of Ukrainian History and Reasons For Ukrainian Emigration (Conclusion) Among American conductors are the Ukrainians Taras Hubicki who is also a faculty member of the Detroit Conservatory of Mu sic, Ivan Boutnikoff, who recent ly conducted the orchestra for the International Ballet in New York, and Paul Pecheniha Oug- litzky, whose work requires fur ther explanation which will be furnished later. Capt. John Ba- rabash originated the idea of brass bands in schools and has conducted them in Chicago for the past 20 years, making a fine name for himself in this field. Anton Rudnitsky has been direct ing operas in this country since he came here from Lviv several years ago. Ther American Concert and Operatic stage has several Uk rainian names: Maria Mashir, Maria Hrebenetzka, Olkia Lep- kova, Maria Sokil, Mary Poly- nak, Anna Troscianecka, Stepha nie Turash, Michael Holynsky Peter Ordinsky, Peter Didur, Myron Sands, Alexander Kulpak all of whom are singers. The Uk rainians have great hopes in Don na Grescoe who is a child prodigy studying under Mishel Piastro. There are several Ukrainian composers who have gained con siderable praise for their compo sitions. Michael Hayvoronsky, beloved among the Ukrainians for his soldier songs, was recog nized by America by becoming appointed a Mosenthal Fellow of Music having completed Colum bia University studies in music. Anton Rudnitsky has to his cred it an opera as well as numerous other musical compositions. Ro man Prydatkevitch, violinist and composer, another Columbia Uni versity graduate, has achieved distinction for his violin and pi ano ^onatas. In the modern field of music there is Bill Gale whose newest recordings, recently released by Columbia Recordings, has sold beyond expectations. He has composed over 1,500 songs many of which have been recorded by Columbia, Victor and Decca Re cording Companies. Two of the best known Ukrain ian composers and conductors in America are Paul Pecheniha- Ouglitzky and Alexander Ko- shetz. Paul Pecheniha-Ouglitzky star ted his musical career as a Pro fessor of theory and composition at the St. Petersburg Conserva tory of Music from 1913 to 1919. He came to America at the out break of the Russian Revolution. His career in America has been a varied one. He has conducted or chestras at the Strand and Roxy theatre in New York. He con ducted a symphony orchestra and chorus concert of his own works at Carnegie Hall in 1939, and di rected and conducted his own programs “We Believe” and “Crimean Echoes,” over N.B.C. His compositions have been play ed over the four major networks. Ballet excerpts from his opera “The Witch” have been played at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York at one of the Sunday evening concepts with tremen dous success. His piano composi tions are played regularly by Walter Brenner over N.B.C. His compositions have been conduct ed by leading conductors. He has several published compositions: “Ukraina,” a symphonic poem which received excellent praise in “Musical America” and “Cantata Heroica” plus several songs. Alexander Antonovich Ko- shetz — “Conductor of the Hu man Symphony” — was born in the province of Kiev in Ukraine. He was appointed chairman of the music department of the gov ernment in the new Ukrainian Republic, which sent him on tour of Europe and America with the UkrainiUn National Chorus. Ko- shetz settled in America in 1920 after the fall of the Ukrainian Republic and subsequently be came a citizen of the U. S. In 1935 he was invited to Indianapo lis to conduct the Conservatory of Music chorus. At the New York World's Fair in 1939, his English Song Arrangements were sung by the Arthur Jordan chor us. At this fair too, Koshetz con ducted again a massed chorus of 500 voices, a talent for which he became justly famous for the re mainder of his life. Whitmark Publications published a series of his Ukrainian songs which are being used all over the country by schools and choirs. Ukrainian Folk Dancing in America In 1925, Vasile Avramenko in troduced Ukrainian Folk Dances to America. He and his instruct ors taught the youth in every siz able Ukrainian community to dance the folk dances of their an cestors. After Avramenko’s Met ropolitan Opera House Concert in 1931 where 300 dancers parti cipated, the New York Evening SPRING RECITAL (Continued from page 6) rainian Folk Arts Exhibit. Color, texture, line, form and back ground were all used to best ad vantage in this ideal display. The art pieces, showing sample work from various sections of Ukraine, included embroideries, carvings, metal works, ceramics, Easter- eggs, and costumes, were from the collection of the Ukrainian Women's League of N.A. and from Mrs. Chomyn's private col lection. Also on display were sev eral works of artist Peter Andru- siw, also newly arrived from Germany. His large painting “Hutzul Wedding” attracted much interest. That the exhibit was a marked success can be judged by the deep interest shown by the recital guests, by their countless ques tions and genuine admiration. Explaining the exhibit were Miss Mildred Milanowicz of Jersey City, and the Misses Gloria Ro- hach, Dolores Pryslak and Steph anie Mattera, students of St. Ba sil’s Academy for Girls at Fox Chase, Pa., as well as tiny Miss Christina Chomyn, young daugh ter of the exhibitor. All were at tired in costumes from various sections of Ukraine as Kiev, Pol tava, Bucovina and Carpathia (Hutzul). The charm and intelli gence of the girls helped win many friends for Ukrainians. Post of April 27, 1931, acclaimed this performance as one of the outstanding musical performanc es of the year. Michael Herman, one of Avra menko's former instructors, has carried on the work of teaching Ukrainian folk dances; however, he teaches them almost exclusive ly to Americans. Herman popu larized folk dancing as a regular recreational activity. He organiz ed the Community Center in New York in 1940, although he had been working along the same lines since 1931. The Community Center has branches in almost every large city with a member ship throughout the country of over 10,000. In the Communit} Centers all nationalities gather and learn each other’s dances and as “Cue” magazine pointed out: “Folk dancing has become a me dium for better international re lations.” To further his work, Michael Herman published the magazine “The Folk Dancer.” Everything that the Ukrainians have brought with them from their mother country they try to share with the citizens of their new homeland, America. From extremely poor beginnings they are growing to be a respected fo reign element in this country. By growing themselves, there is no doubt that America too has grown a little by their efforts. NEW JUNIOR LEAGUE BRANCH In September, 1946 a group of young girls planned the organiza tion of a new branch of the So- yuz Ukrainok. The first official meeting was held at my home on October 8, 1946. Twenty eight girls responded to our post card invitations. We were both pleas ed and encouraged by the turn out. At this meeting we chose the first Tuesday of each month, (ex cept July and August when we do not meet at all,) as our official meeting night. This has been ad hered to, and will continue as our official meeting night. At this meeting it has been resolved that the name of the new organization shall be Ukrainian Junior League, Jr. This however has been modified, so that our official name will be Ukrainian Junior League Branch No. 57 of Soyuz Ukrainok in Philadelphia, but will be commonly called The Uk rainian Junior League, Jr. Our officers are: President, Helen Wasylenko; Vice Pres., Mary Kredensor; Secretary, Mary Kazmar; Treasurer, Virgi nia Senko. We are enclosing fifteen dol lars to cover our initiation fee and our first year dues. The fif teen dollars was presented to us by Amelia Bochey, Jr. Vice-Pres- ident of SUA and member of Br. 52, in fulfillment of the promise of the Ukrainian Junior League, SUA Branch 52, to our initiation fee and first year's dues and to help us organize ourselves. Our sincere thanks to Branch 52 for their cooperation and help. Helen Wasylenko, President. 1159 Bridge St., Phila. 24, Pa. JUNIOR BRANCH 52 FOR ORPHANS The Ukrainian Junior League, Branch 52 SUA, of Philadelphia, held a card party on Sunday, March 2nd at 849 N. Franklin St., for the benefit of St. Basil's Or phanage. Even though the weath er was unfavorable, they had a fine attendance. Thanks to every one's cooperation a total of $151.72 was derived from this card party, which was given to St. Basil's Orphanage in Phila delphia. The Sisters at St. Basil's have added the task of bringing as many children from Europe as possible, therefore, their need for funds is greater now than ever. Anne Harris, Corresponding Secy. Perhaps the most valuable re sult of all education is the ability to make yourself do the thing you have to do when it has to be done, whether you like it or not. Huxley.
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