Slavyanka Russian Chorus
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Why We Sing
For more than forty years, our Slavyanka Chorus here in San Francisco has performed music from the varied choral traditions of Russia and Eastern Europe to help Americans better understand and appreciate the cultural history behind these traditions. We’re proud to have contributed in a small way to intercultural understanding between East and West through the special language of choral music.
Once again, there's a wall between Russia and America. Like other Americans, we are horrified by the war in Ukraine, call urgently for its end, and have raised money to offer help for its victims. But just saying what we're against isn't enough. Beyond raising money to help, what are we called to do now?
When our governments are at odds, ordinary people like us have an even greater responsibility to keep alive the threads of human connection between the people of our different countries. History shows us all too clearly what happens when people begin to treat the “other” as no longer worthy of empathy or respect - and what darkness people are capable of once that line is crossed.
That’s our mission as an organization, the dream we share - and why we continue to sing.
2022-2023 Slavyanka Plans
Go Here >> 2022-2023 Plans to download a copy, save to you computer, open, read and or print).
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.
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.
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.
Russian Diaspora
The Sacred Music and Spiritual Legacy of the Russian Emigration
CLICK HERE to begin the recording.
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.
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