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Vol.2,7,Tuesday, No. 19 Tuesday, March 13, 2012 Vol. 7, No. November 8, 2011
Mundare’s seventh annual Ukrainian Music Workshop was a hit with young and old as participants of all ages travelled from across the region to attend the one day workshop on March 10th. It also featured an evening concert which garnered approximately 180 people. The event was organized by Charlie and Debbie Gargus, and had several top notch instructors on hand to offer expert advice and skills training.
Mundare’s Ukrainian Music Workshop infuses cultural flavour and fellowship BY MICHELLE PINON Editor
There was a time Holly and Benjamin Christiani performed exclusively for their bubba and guido. And while their grandparents Bill and Nancy Holowaychuk were in the audience last Saturday night to hear participants of Mundare’s Ukrainian Music Workshop, they reached about 180 other people. Holly and Benjamin were special guests during the evening concert because they have been attending the annual workshop since its inception seven years ago. Holly, 14, and Benjamin, 12, had nothing but praise for organizers Charlie and Debby
Gargus. Classically Ukrainian music. One of shop as a “complete trained musicians, the their major influences bombardment” of inforis Metro mation and culture, and Christiani’s says the one musically, day workshop is one of Radomsky, from the have enjoyed the chance the highlight’s of the year. “It’s great to be immersed in the culture,” says Holly, who describes the event as refreshing and vibrant, and a great opportunity to expand their repertoire. Every summer the Christiani’s stay at their grandparents summer home in Mundare. Besides experiencing rural farm life, the sib- Holly and Benjamin Christiani were some of the outstanding lings get to learn formers who participated in the seventh annual workshop. more about their grand- Wostok area. to hone their skills. parents, their lives, and While both kids enjoy Holly plays the vioculture. “Sometimes they classical music, they also lin, while Benjamin plays sing songs for us,” adds have developed a love the violin and piano Holly. Other times, they for Ukrainian music, her- accordian. Fellow accorspend time listening to itage, and cuisine. They dian player Donna Bill’s vast collection of both describe the work- Armfelt, had nothing but
praise for her workshop commrade. Even though Armfelt has been playing piano accordian for more than 50 years, it was the first time in her life the Vegrevillle area resident has ever had a formal lesson. As to why she registered for the workshop, the petite grandmother says, “I though it would be a nice way to meet people and learn something.” Armfelt not only learned a few per- things, she taught a few things to several other participants in the class she was in. Armfelt says she was “just mesmerized” by the accordian, and couldn’t help but pick up the instrument that his dad
had stored under the bed in case they were short a player in his Ukrainian band. It was only a couple of years later that she went on the road with the band. At 14 years of age, standing for 10 hours on a Saturday night was gruelling. “I had blisters on my wrist, and shoulders,” added Armfelt, whose pain seemed to diminish as the she “got into the music.” It’s Clayton Hutscal’s second year on the accordian, and he said he thoroughly enjoyed Ihor Nedoshytko’s class. Altogether there were 40 participants in six classes, and undoubtedly many of them will be returning to Mundare next spring for another Ukrainian workshop.