Slavyanka Russian Chorus
Slavyanka Russian Chorus, Inc. is a qualified 501 (c)(3) public benefit charitable corporation.
Tax ID (EIN) 94-2886637
Добро пожаловать Dobro pozhalovat' Welcome
On the first weekend of June, Slavyanka Chorus performed A Prayer for Peace – a concert of Russian and Ukrainian choral music. Performances were at:
• · 5PM on Saturday, June 4th at St. Archangel Michael Serbian Orthodox Church, 18870 Allendale Avenue in Saratoga, and
• · 4PM on Sunday, June 5th at Star of the Sea Church, 4420 Geary Boulevard (at 8th Avenue) in San Francisco.
The one hour program will included both sacred and folk pieces from Russia and Ukraine.
Concert Program
Mixed Choir
1. Pilgrim Song
2. Pomyshl’aju D’en’ strashnyj
3. Cherubim Song
4. No v’echnym snom
5. L’ubov’ Sv’ataja
6. Bogoroditsa, Solo - Sergey Khalikulov
7. Ja pokinul rodimyj dom, Duet - Rene Minneboo and Sergey Khalikulov
Men’s Choir
8. Sov’et Pr’ev’echnyj
9. Otche nash
10. Nyn’e otpuschaeshi
Mixed Choir
11. Bogoroditse Devo
12. Ang’el vopijashe
13. Reve ta sogne
14. Vniz po matushke, po Volg’e
CLICK Here >>June 5, 2022 Concert Recording at Star of the Sea Catholic Church, San Francisco CA
Instead of a charge for admission, audience members were invited (not required) to contribute to one of the many relief organizations that are providing for the needs of civilians displaced and wounded by the war in Ukraine.
Why this concert and this theme?
For over forty years, Slavyanka Chorus has worked to create deeper understanding and appreciation between Americans and the peoples of Russia and Eastern Europe. Especially for those of us with friends and relatives there, it’s intensely painful to see that part of the world torn apart in war.
Whatever else we do in response, we can do these three things:
• · We can pray for peace, in whatever form and language is real in our own life;
• · We can offer material help to those whose lives have been shattered by violence; and
• · We can re-commit ourselves to keeping the deep threads of human connection unbroken - especially at times like now when those threads come under great stress.
Music is the way we in Slavyanka work to keep those threads unbroken. Eighty to one hundred joined us to add their own prayers and support.
Paul Andrews
President, Slavyanka Chorus
2022-2023 Slavyanka Plans
Slavyanka 2022-2023 Plans
Published On 9/16/2022
Dear Slavyanka Friends,
A big welcome back in advance!
Please see below the Slavyanka rehearsal schedule for 2022-23 and for our Shvedoff concerts. That’s right – the next 8 months of rehearsals laid out in complete detail. Irina has done a sensational and amazing job of giving us a complete road map for the upcoming concert year, and for preparing this extraordinary and uniquely spiritual piece of music for its American premiere next spring.
ALERT: Important things.
The Schedule (For Quick read, see below or Go Here >> 2022-2023 Plans to download a copy, save to you computer, open, read and or print). Please put these dates into your calendar now to avoid future conflicts. Let Irina know now if there are any dates you cannot be there.
Important: Please notify Director Irina Shachneva at irina_shachneva@yahoo.com that you are available or not available on Sunday, October 30th for the Prayer for Peace Rossmoor concert.
Rehearsals will sometimes be in San Francisco and sometimes in Alameda. There may be some adjustments in locations if the churches discover they need the hall on some particular night – if so, you’ll get clear information in advance. And we’re still determining which locations for winter rehearsals, as the schedule shows.
San Francisco: Star of the Sea Parish Hall auditorium, NW corner of 8th Avenue and Geary Boulevard. Parking is in the church lot – enter from 8th Avenue through the gate in the wall directly behind the main church building.
Alameda: Rehearsals will be in the Immanuel Lutheran Parish Hall. Parking is in the church lot at 1425 Chestnut Street - enter through the gate from the parking lot.
COVID policies remain the same until further notice - masks, no rehearsal if you have reason to believe you've been exposed.
Attendance policy.
Every rehearsal is important. The normal expectation is that every singer who wants to participate in the Shvedoff concert next spring should plan to attend all rehearsals. If a singer for extreme reasons has to miss more than three rehearsals, Irina will decide whether you are prepared to sing the concert.
Important! If you do need to miss a rehearsal, you need to send an email to Irina letting her know in advance.
Again, welcome back after a long summer break!
Paul
Slavyanka Rehearsal Schedule
Go Here >> 2022-2023 Plans to download a copy, save to you computer, open, read and or print)
Fall/Winter 2022-2023
September-December Shvedov Liturgy – Study Period
Slavyanka Chorus - Guest Singers Optional)
September - focus on Shvedov, movements 1, 2, 5, 7, review “Prayer for Peace”
Thursday, September 15th, 7:00-9:30 p.m., . (with 10 min break) rehearsal, introduction, Zoom
Thursday, September 22th, 7:00-9:30 p.m., sectional rehearsal, Star of the Sea
Sunday, September 25th, 2:00-5:30 p.m., whole choir rehearsal, Alameda
October/ the end of September - focus on Shvedov, movements. 4, 9, 12, review “Prayer for Peace”
Thursday, September 29th 7:00-9:30 p.m., rehearsal, introduction, Star of the Sea
Thursday, October 6th, Zoom rehearsal
6:15 p.m. - Pronunciation Session
7:00-9:30 p.m. (with 10 min break) studying parts, conducting marks
Thursday, October 13th, 7:00-9:30 p.m., sectional rehearsal, Star of the Sea
Thursday, October 20th , 7:00-9:30 p.m., whole choir rehearsal, Alameda
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Prayer for Peace concert
Thursday, October 27th, 7:00-9:30 p.m. “Prayer for Peace”, Dress Rehearsal, Alameda
Sunday, October 30th “Prayer for Peace” 4:00 p.m. concert, Walnut Creek, 2:00 p.m. call
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November - focus on Shvedov, movements 3, 10, 13
Thursday, November 3rd, 7:00-9:30 p.m., Star of the Sea, rehearsal, introduction
Thursday, November 10th, Zoom rehearsal
6:30 p.m.- Pronunciation Session
7:00-9:30 p.m. (with 10 min break) studying parts, conducting marks
Thursday, November 17th, 7:00-9:30 p.m., sectional rehearsal, Star of the Sea
Sunday, November 20th, 2:30-6:00 p.m., whole choir rehearsal in Alameda
Thursday, November 24th, NO rehearsal, Thanksgiving
December - focus on Shvedov, movements 6, 8,11
Thursday, December 1st, 7:00-9:30 p.m., Star of the Sea, rehearsal, introduction
Thursday, December 8th, Zoom rehearsal
6:15 p.m.- Pronunciation Session
7:00-9:30 p.m. (with 10 min break) studying parts, conducting marks
Thursday, December 15th, 7:00-9:30 p.m., sectional rehearsal, Star of the Sea
Sunday, December 18th, 2:30-6:00 p.m., whole choir rehearsal in Alameda
Thursdays, December 22nd, 29th – NO whole Choir rehearsals, but Zoom or local group rehearsals
for those who need help.
January through April - Shvedov Liturgy - Ensemble Work and Performances
Slavyanka + Guest Singers
January - focus on movemens: 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 9, 12
Thursday, January 5th, 7:00-9:30 p.m., sectional rehearsal, Star of the Sea, mov.1, 2, 5, 7
Thursday, January 12th, 7:00-9:30 p.m., whole choir rehearsal, Alameda/SF? mov.1, 2, 5, 7
Thursday, January 19th, 7:00-9:30 p.m., sectional rehearsal, Star of the Sea, mov. 4, 9, 12
Thursday, January 26th, 7:00-9:00 p.m., whole choir rehearsal, Alameda/SF?, mov. 4, 9, 12
Sunday, January 29th - 2:30-6:00 p.m., whole choir rehearsal, Alameda, 1, 2, 4, 5,7, 9, 12
---------------- Pronunciation Sessions ------------------------
Monday, January 2nd, Zoom pronunciation session with mov. 1, 2, 5, 7 - 7:30-8:30 p.m.
Monday, January 16th, Zoom pronunciation session with mov. 4, 9, 12 - 7:30-8:30 p.m.
February - focus on movements: 3, 6, 8, 10, 11, 13
Thursday, February 2nd, 7:00-9:30 p.m., sectional rehearsal, Star of the Sea, mov.3, 10, 13
Thursday, February 9th, 7:00-9:30 p.m., whole choir rehearsal, Alameda/SF?, mov.3, 10, 13
Thursday, February 16th, 7:00-9:30 p.m., sectional rehearsal, Star of the Sea, mov.6, 8, 11
Thursday, February 23rd, 7:00-9:30 p.m., whole choir, Alameda/SF?, mov. 6, 8, 11
Sunday, February 26th- 2:30-6:00 p.m., whole choir rehearsal, Alameda, mov.3, 6, 8, 10, 11, 13
---------------------Pronunciation Sessions-------------------------------
Monday, January 30th, Zoom pronunciation session with mov. 3, 10, 13 - 7:30-8:30 p.m.
Monday, February 13th, Zoom pronunciation session with mov. 6, 8, 11 - 7:30-8:30 p.m.
March through April - focus on whole piece and performances
Thursday, March 2nd, 7:00-9:30 p.m., whole choir rehearsal, Star of the Sea, mov. 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 9, 12
Thursday, March 9th, 7:00-9:30 p.m., whole choir rehearsal, Alameda/SF?, mov. 3, 6, 10, 11, 13
Thursday, March 16th, 7:00-9:30 p.m., whole choir rehearsal, Star of the Sea , mov.1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 9, 12
Thursday, March 23rd, 7:00-9:30 p.m., whole choir rehearsal, Alameda/SF?, mov. 3, 6, 10, 11, 13
Sunday, March 26th, 2:30- 6:00 p.m.- DRESS Rehearsal #1, Alameda
Thursday, March 30th, 7:00- 9:30 p.m.- DRESS rehearsal #2, Star of the Sea
Friday, March 31st, concert, Berkeley
Saturday, April 1st, concert, Saratoga
Sunday, April 2nd, concert, San Francisco
April 7th and 14th NO rehearsals
Western Easter April 9th
Eastern Easter April 16th
May – possible Southern California Concert(s) - TBA
CONTACT US here at anytime. Financial support, at this time, is especially appreciated. Donations can be considered and made here DONATE. Members can pay dues here MEMBER DUES.
All can access Slavyanka Chorus Recordings here ARCHIVE.
| EventS |
Russian Diaspora
The Russian diaspora is the global community of ethnic Russians. The Russian-speaking (Russophone) diaspora are the people for whom Russian language is the native language, regardless of whether they are ethnic Russians or, for example, Belarusians, Tatars, or Jews.
A large Russian diaspora (sometimes including Russian-speaking non-Russians), estimated at over 20–30 million people, has developed all over the world, with notable numbers in the United States, Germany, Brazil, and Canada.
Relatively unknown is the understanding and momentousness of the 1000-year-old Russian sacred choral music tradition.Our Slavyanka Chorus Mission is to:
• Perform music from the varied choral traditions of Russia, Eastern Europe and America.
• Understand and share the cultural history behind these traditions, and
• Contribute to international and intercultural understanding between East and West through the special language of a cappella choral music.
The Sacred Music and Spiritual Legacy of the Russian Emigration
Supporting our mission, on Thursday, September 23rd at 6:30 PM Pacific Time, Slavyanka Chorus hosted an evening with one of the world’s most respected musicologists and publisher of Russian liturgical music, Dr. Vladimir Morosan.
This is a unique opportunity to learn more about a fascinating and relatively unknown part of the 1000-year-old Russian sacred choral music tradition. This tradition suffered tremendous setbacks after the Russian revolution of 1917. But against all odds, due to the courage and perseverance of Russian composers who continued to compose in the emigration (including some in San Francisco), the legacy survived and has continued to bear new fruit. Dr. Morosan will explore with us this sacred music of the Russian emigration, much of which has only recently drawn the attention of performers and audiences.
In addition to his writing, Dr. Morosan is also Founder and President of Musica Russica, a publishing company specializing in the publication and dissemination of Orthodox choral music throughout the Western world. He is also the Director of the "Orthodox Sacred Music Reference Library” Project, the largest scholarly online library of Orthodox music.
If you missed the presentation on September 23rd a recording of this
very special evening presentation is available.
CLICK HERE to begin the recording.
After hearing Dr. Morosan's presentation and examples of historical sacred music recordings we hope you may make a donation to provide continuing support of our mission and help us make these evenings possible Our suggested donation is $10.
We were so honored to perform at the wedding of Raj and Alexandra June 12, 2021 at St. George Serbian Orthodox Church in San Diego. Многая лета / Mnogaya leta / Many, many years to the new, happy couple! Thank you so much for letting us provide the music for your beautiful wedding. — in San Diego, California.
Reflecting the name given by early Russian settlers to what is now called the Russian River in California, the Slavyanka Russian Chorus was formed in 1979 by several former members of the Yale Russian Chorus. The repertoire comprises music principally from Russian and other Slavic sources -- from Tchaikovsky and Mussorgsky to many less-well-known composers, and folk music.
We are a community of singers, alumni singers, supporters, and listeners – people like you who come because they love and are moved by what they hear.
For 34 years, the Chorus was a men's chorus that was joined on occasion by female soloists and women's ensembles.
In 2013,, the Chorus officially expanded to include women. Our repertoire now includes music for mixed ensemble and women's voices, as well as distinctive men's choral pieces.
The Chorus performs extensively in the Bay Area (around 12 concerts annually), and was privileged to be invited to tour and perform in the former Soviet Union and Russia in 1986, 1989, 1999, and 2016.
The Chorus has released eight albums, has appeared on Bay Area television segments, contributed to the PBS documentary Spirit of a People, A New Portrait of Russia, and has recorded music for several movies: Tell Me a Riddle (1980), Little Odessa (1994), and What Dreams May Come (1998).
The Chorus' Artistic Director is Irina Shachneva (2012-present). Former directors include Paul Andrews (1979-1991; interim 2012), Alexei Shipovalnikov (1991-1997), and Gregory Smirnov (1997-2011).
A Board of Directors, Managers and volunteers manage the Chorus