BOOK NOTES: Memoirs of a choirmaster both instructive and interesting (05/15/05)

BOOK NOTES

Memoirs of a choirmaster both instructive and interesting

"Memoirs of the Ohio Boychoir (Or Everything You Should Want to Know About Being a Choirmaster)" by Alexander Musichuk. Published by the author, 2004; second edition, 2005. 151 pp. $12.

Ohio Boychoir is best remembered by Ukrainians in America because of the interest created by the choir's concert tours to Ukraine. Under the direction of Alexander Musichuk, this fine community boychoir of young Americans toured Ukraine in the summers of 1989 and 1991, while Ukraine was still part of the Soviet Union.

The choir was one of the very first groups to visit Ukraine after the cultural exchange program was resumed by Presidents Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev. Their experiences in Ukraine were highly publicized by The Ukrainian Weekly during those years just before the collapse of the Soviet Union.

Director Musichuk retired last year at the age of 80 during the choir's 30th year. He has written a book, "Memoirs of the Ohio Boychoir (Or Everything You Should Want to Know About Being a Choirmaster)."

The second printing of the book is now available. Six chapters have been added, along with elaborations on existing chapters. Two additional pictures have also been added.

The book chronicles the choir's travels around the globe: France, Germany and Austria in 1984, Poland, Latvia and Russia in 1987, Romania and Ukraine in 1989, Ukraine again in 1991, New Zealand and Australia in 1994, Spain in 1997, England in 1999, and Scotland, England and Canada in 2001.

Ukrainians would no doubt be interested in the book because of fine references to Ukraine, which include two chapters of the choir's visits.

Ukrainian choir leaders might be interested in learning about Mr. Musichuk's experiences in the training and development of the boys' unique voices. There has already been much interest expressed by choral directors across America in reaction to the first printing.

A special price of $12 is available to readers of The Ukrainian Weekly, plus a $2 shipping and handling fee. To order, readers may write to: Alexander Musichuk, 8857 Elsmere Drive, Parma, OH 44130; telephone, (440) 884-6507.

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