 The children’s choir “Shchedryk” was founded in April 1971 by a well-known Choirmaster Iryna Mykolayivna Sablina. According to her idea, this group was intended to cultivate excellent musical taste instead of following the existing children’s choir tradition directed towards poetizing a happy Soviet childhood. Thus, it has succeeded to open the world of classical music for many children.
The main idea that was taken by Iryna Mykolayivna to form the basis of artistic activity of the Choir was the idea of performing the best examples of world choral music of different styles and epochs in the original language. Such an approach to repertoire demands acquiring various performance techniques which allows revealing the artistic potential of the children in its full measure. While expanding their view of the world, this also contributes to cultivating an interest and respect to different world cultures, allows feeling yourself as a participant of the world musical process. From the very first moment of joining the choir the children learn how to develop a rich vocal palette to effectively reveal a musical image.
“Shchedryk” has always distinguished itself by its crystal-pure, “flying”, so-called “branded” sound. The Choir’s repertoire impresses professionals with its absence of any insuperable “barriers of complexity” of the performed pieces. The distinctive feature of the Choir is also an exceptional sincerity and depth of childlike feelings realized in performance, which are not to be estimated professionally.
Ideological changes have never affected the Choir’s devotion to the great art, though a life of the collective, its formation and development depends much on national ideology. While having started its own musical “euro-integration” as far back as Soviet times, “Shchedryk” succeeded in becoming “a choir which travels abroad” much later than other child collectives. However, broad artistic contacts with different USSR chorus groups made concert life of the Choir really vibrant and interesting.
In the 90’ “Shchedryk” discovered the world for itself while not even imaging that it would become a real discovery for the whole world…
1990, Canada
“Shchedryk” Choir was awarded with Grand Prix at International Choir Competition «Kathaumixw» in Powell River.
After the performance the Choir was declared a “Soviet Sensation”!. “Shchedryk” Choir was acknowledged the best choir in all categories of participants. «Daily News» newspaper was one of the numerous sponsors of the tour.
1990, USA
Together with “Sovremennik” Theatre, String Quartet named after O.P. Borodin (Moscow) and the troupe of Bolshoy Theatre, “Shchedryk” represented the country in the Good Will Games cultural program, Seattle.
1991, USA
The Choir received Grand Prix again!
“Shchedryk” was recognized the best chorus group among all participants at International Choir Competition in Des Moines.
1993, USA
“Shchedryk” realized its first triumphal concert tour, having traveled from Niagara in the north of the country to the Mexican border in the south.
1994 USA, Canada
As an honorable guest “Shchedryk” participated at “America Fest” festival for the best children’s choruses of the world. The participation was successfully combined with a concert tour throughout Canadian cities.
1996, Germany
On the invitation of the Assistance to Chornobyl Children Munich organization, the Choir toured throughout Germany, during which 30 charity concerts were given. All receipts acquired from the concerts, were directed to purchasing modern medical equipment for marrow transplantation ward of “Okhmatdyt” children’s hospital. Well-known “Bavaria” football club sponsored the tour.
1998, Germany
«Shchedryk” visited Germany for another charity concert tour. The best concert halls in Bavaria, such as Munich City Hall, were provided for the Choir’s performances.
2001 Poland
The Choir obtained Grand-Prix and Golden Diploma of XXXVI International Choral Festival in Mendzyzdroje.
«Shchedryk” won in two nominations and was declared the best performer of the mandatory contest piece.
2002, Austria
As an honorable guest «Shchedryk” was invited by the eminent violinist Gidon Kremer to participate in his famous musical festival in Lockenhaus, where the Choir together with the Great Maestro performed successfully the piece that was specially written for them.
2002 ð., Austria
«Shchedryk” participated in the prestigious International Music Festival in Salzburg. Few Ukrainian collectives have succeeded in having the unique possibility of performing in the famous “Mozarteum” Hall, in which “Shchedryk” won the hearts of a multinational audience.
2003, Latvia
At the III International Chorus Festival in Riga «Shchedryk” performed in well-known Domus Cathedral. The President of Latvia, Vayre Vike-Freyberga, who highly estimated the Choir’s masterly performance, opened the Festival and attended the concert.
2004, Germany
The Choir participated in philharmonic concerts in Bonn and Leverkuzen cities together with Bonn Symphonic Orchestra named after L. Beethoven and Philharmonic Choir. Such pieces as «Matthews–Passion» (J.S. Bach) and “Dante-Symphonies (F. Liszt) were performed.
2005, Italy
«Shchedryk” became the sensation of the I International Choral Contest of sacred music «Musica Sacra a Roma» in Rome. It was awarded the Golden Diploma of the first level and got the highest points ever to date since the «Musica Mundi» Musical Organization has existed.
During its visit to Rome the Choir was honored with the audience of Pope Benedict XVI, during which the Pope blessed the children and mentioned that their singing was unsurpassed.
2005, Russia
A solo performance in Moscow National Conservatoire Hall named after P.I. Tchaikovsky is considered by the Choir to be the most significant event in its artistic life. The concert took place within the framework of the I Autumn Choral Festival devoted to the 140th anniversary of the Conservatoire. «Shchedryk” was the only collective, which was invited by choir conductors’ Department to participate at this prestigious event.
2006, Ukraine
On the 15th of April “Shchedryk” Choir gave a concert in honor of its 35th anniversary at the Column Hall named after M.V. Lysenko of the National Philharmonic of Ukraine.
Prominent musicians, politicians, diplomats, ambassadors from various countries, numerous admirers and media representatives came to greet the Choir.
The performance of the Choir’s graduates of different generations, which was conducted by Iryna Mykolayivna Sablina, became the “crowning glory” of the concert.
Total “sellout”, endless ovations, reiterated encores proved for the thousandth time the love and gratitude of the audience, which gave high grades to the mastery and sincerity of performance.
2006, Germany
Already for the third time “Shchedryk” was invited by Munich organization for Assistance to Chornobyl Children in order to participate in charity events, which were aimed to accumulate receipts for marrow transplantation ward of “Okhmatdyt” children’s hospital. The charity concerts within the framework of this action took part in Munich City Hall and Jesus Christ Church in Munich and in St. Andrew’s Church in Weisenburg. During the concert in the City Hall the Choir was greeted by Mr. Christian Ude, the Chief Burgomaster of Munich.
2006, Ukraine
The Choir has started “Ukrainian music seasons of “Shchedryk”. The fact is that “Shchedryk” can be heard more easily abroad than at home. More than 500 concerts have been given by the young choristers in Germany, USA, Canada, Italy, Austria, Latvia and Poland. As to Ukraine, Kievans are the most fortunate to visit live concerts of the Choir. That’s why “Shchedryk” decided to arrange a concert tour in the best concert halls of the biggest cities of Ukraine, including Zaporizhya, Lviv, Odesa, Mykolayiv and Crimea.
To be continued …
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