Category Archives: News

Kappella Kyrie Recording Session #2

Kappella Kyrie members braved the cold at St. George Ukrainian Catholic Church on Thursday, January 18th, 2024 as they worked hard to complete recording the final pieces for their upcoming CD, due to be released at Kappella Kyrie’s concert, “Alleluia” on May 30, 2024.

Because of heating issues in the building, choir members had to bundle up for the chilly temperatures. However, spirits were warmed making music together in such a spectacular space.

Kappella Kyrie’s multi-talented accompanist, Katie Tilbury has painted a stunning work of art for the cover of the choir’s upcoming CD, set to be released at their May 30, 2024  “Alleluia” concert. The work’s bright colors and theme evoke a sense of depth, joy, and diversity that are reflective of Kappella Kyrie and the repertoire they sing. 

Kappella Kyrie Performs Carols at Two Local Schools

Christmas joy and cheer were shared by all on Monday, December 18, 2023, when Kappella Kyrie Slavic Chamber Choir performed at two local schools, St. Matthew Catholic Elementary School and St. Martin Catholic Elementary School.

Kappella Kyrie sang a selection of both English and Ukrainian Christmas carols to the delight of students and staff alike at these two Edmonton Ukrainian bilingual schools. Particularly popular selections included, Shchedryk (Carol of the Bells), Jolly Old Saint Nicholas, and, of course, Jingle Bells! Students brought down the house with their incredibly boisterous and enthusiastic participation in singing Jingle Bells with the choir. They also had a chance to participate in the music making with bells and tambourines, and one lucky student at each school got the chance to conduct the choir’s rendition of Silent Night.

The choir was delighted with the smiles, cheers, and singing of the students. Hearts were warmed on both sides and Christmas spirit was certainly overflowing.

Yurii Hryhorash with Opera Nuova

June 13, 2023 – Ukrainian baritone and artistic collaborator with Kappella Kyrie, Yurii Hryhorash performs Ukrainian art songs for Opera Nuova.

Melanie Turgeon presents on the Ukrainian Art Song Project.

Yurii Hryhorash and Leanne Regehr perform Ukrainian art songs for the faculty and singers of Opera Nuova.

Kappella Kyrie Performs with Shumayela on May 13, 2023

We are grateful for our fantastic audience as we presented PRAISE An Evening of Psalm Texts, along with Shumayela on May 13. Thank you to all who attended. It is always a joy to share music with others and we look forward to bringing you more programming as our choir works towards new and exciting opportunities.

Here are a few words from our conductor, Dr. Melanie Turgeon. 

It was an honour to collaborate with such talented local instrumentalists and the acclaimed treble choir, Shumayela to present this program of psalm texts. Corresponding with Ksenia Stetsenko as we prepared for the premiere of her composition was a highlight, as was our workshop with Benedict Sheehan. To be able to perform three works that are part of larger compositions, which have been nominated for Grammy Awards, was truly unique and amazing. The audience was engaged and responsive and this made for a very memorable evening.”

“What an amazing evening. I can’t find the words to describe the joy that the performance elicited. The beauty of the choral voices resonating in such perfect acoustical surroundings was sheer perfection. And the Shumayela choir did not disappoint – what a talented group.”
– Khrystia Kohut, Director, Alberta Ukrainian Commemorative Society

We’re excited to let you know we will begin a new recording project on June 1. Keep an eye out for some behind-the-scenes photos. We anticipate to release the recording in the spring of 2024. Stay tuned!

Your generous support at any level enables Kappella Kyrie to develop, promote and grow the appreciation of Slavic sacred music through high quality choral performances. Please visit our Donate page to give.

Kappella Kyrie Hosts Composer Benedict Sheehan for a 3-Day Workshop

Last weekend we were thrilled to welcome Grammy-nominated composer, Benedict Sheehan, for a three-day workshop in preparation for our upcoming concert. On May 13, we will perform Sheehan’s “Second Antiphon” and share the stage with our young guests from Shumayela.

The weekend was a wonderful celebration of music, an opportunity to learn more about our art and a showcase of the strong choral community in Edmonton.

My heart is full to bursting with northern hospitality! Heading home after four wonderful days in Edmonton doing workshops with the marvelous folks of Kappella Kyrie Slavic Chamber Choir and their inspired artistic director Melanie Turgeon.” – Benedict Sheehan

We hope you will join us for PRAISE An Evening of Psalm Texts on May 13.

Tickets are on sale now!

Kappella Kyrie Slavic Chamber Choir presents “Praise” on May 13, 2023

Kappella Kyrie Slavic Chamber Choir is pleased to present PRAISE with special guests Shumayela, an Edmonton-based choir for treble and changing voices, part of the Kokopelli Choir family. The concert will be held on May 13 at 7:30 PM, at the First Presbyterian Church (10025 105 Street).

The evening’s program is centred on American composer Leonard Bernstein’s Chichester Psalms. Leonard Bernstein was born to Ukrainian-Jewish parents from Rivne, Ukraine. Kappella Kyrie and Shumayela will perform a version scored for organ, harp, and percussion, with a treble solo performed by Shumayela’s young soloist, Alena Malykhina. Shumayela and Kappella Kyrie will also jointly perform Grammy-nominated composer, Benedict Sheehan’s “Second Antiphon” and Brazilian composer Ernani Aguiar’s Salmo 150.

This program aims to feature living composers. Psalm texts are prolific in the services of the Eastern Christian Church and will include excerpts from the Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom and Vespers from Ukrainian-Canadian composer Roman Hurko, two Grammy-nominated composers, Benedict Sheehan and Kurt Sander, among others. Tickets for PRAISE are $25 (general admission), $20 (student/senior), and free for 12 and under. Tickets are available in advance online at eventbrite.ca or at the door.