The Canadian Bandurist Capella A vocal-instrumental choral group which combines the sound of a male chorus with the orchestral accompaniment of the multi-stringed Ukrainian Bandura.
The Canadian Bandurist Capella was established in 1991 as a male vocal ensemble that accompanied itself on the bandura by Victor Mishalow. It had its first performance on January 8, 1992. In 1993 it changed its name to the Toronto Bandurist Capella and became changed over to a mixed gender ensemble. In 2001 it once again became an exclusively male ensemble and in 2002 it became incorporated and officially changed its name back to the Canadian Bandurist Capella.
The ensemble has grown to become a significant force within the Ukrainian Community in Canada. It unites the talents of some 50 singers and up to 21 instrumentalists-bandurists.
The repertoire of the ensemble has grown and become more sophisticated to encompass not only arrangements of epic historic songs and traditional folk songs, but also sacred music and modern compositions.
The Capella has performed throughout Upper Canada in Toronto, Hamilton, St Catherines, Montreal, Ottawa, Oshawa and is now continuing to expand its activities to other regions of Canada and the United States. It has performed in Manitoba (Winnipeg, Dauphin), Chicago, Soyuzivka, Cleveland, and Yonkers. The ensemble has completed 2 CD recordings.
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Recently it recorded its second CD with renown Bass-baritone Pavlo Hunka.
Canadian Bandurist Capella Recordings:
1. Debut CD "Canadian Bandurist Capella" (2005) 14 tracks
2. CD "Hraj Kobzarju!" (Гpaй Кoбзapю!) (2008) 12 tracks
Many of the Canadian Capellas concert performances are available on You Tube.
The artistic director of the Canadian Bandurist Capella is Merited Artist of Ukraine - Victor Mishalow. Yurij Petlura is the (Concert Master). In previous years the positions of (Choir Master) and assistant conductor have been filled by Natalia Babycka and Andrii Dmytrovych
The ensemble is striving toward reviving the traditions set by the Poltava Bandurist Capella that developed under the direction of Hnat Khotkevych in the late 1920s and early 1930s. To meet this goal it has ordered specially made Kharkiv style banduras from bandura maker William Vetzal and is training its bandurists to meet the challenges of this style of bandura music.
Video - Canadian Bandurist Capella: Live in Chicago (2009)