Kosa Choir

The Kosa Choir is a Toronto based chamber folk choir of 10-14 singers, studying & performing the traditional polyphonic songs of Ukraine. We rehearse every Tuesday, 7:30-9:30 PM in the west end of Toronto, providing a safe and regular space to develop the gorgeous and powerful repertoire and extended vocal technique of traditional Ukrainian singing known as ridnyj holos. (Check out the videos below.)

Spring Songs & Dances at the Clay and Paper Fundraiser April 2024.

After an incredible first season, we are excited to see what happens in season 2 and hope you consider joining us.

To learn more, please read below and contact us: kosasinging@gmail.com.

The Kosa community singing grew out of the Kosa Kolektiv founders’ passion for traditional Ukrainian polyphonic singing based in villages and in land-based rituals & practices. For years they ran singing workshops and facilitated singing groups for Christmas caroling (Koliada) and spring rites (Haivky). 

In October 2023, Kosa finally formalisedthe community singing into a choir!

Interested in having our Kosa Choir perform at your event, click-here.

The Kosa Choir runs for two terms:
October – January
and February – June

Rehearsals are on TUESDAYS 7:30-9:30 PM at the Belarusian Autocephalous (independent) Orthodox Church, at 524 St Clarens Ave (near Lansdowne and Bloor), Toronto.

Every season we host a big fundraising performance for Ukraine, scheduled for early June. Also be prepared for pop-up community singing activities around Kosa Kolektiv’s usual Winter and Spring carolling activities!

SINGERS DO NOT NEED TO KNOW, OR BE UKRAINIAN 

The only experience needed to join the choir is the ability to sing in harmony and the willingness to learn! Expect songs to be taught by ear, as sheet music will not always be provided. Lyrics, however, will be provided in Cyrillic for Ukrainian speakers, and transliterated for English speakers. Besides learning the repertoire, singers will undergo regular technical development of vocal and choral technique such as: 

• developing a bright timbre with the chest and blended voice

• use of extended vocal techniques that combine ornaments, yips, hollers and slides. 

• applying distinct inflections, phrasings, and regional dialects of Ukrainian songs

• blending and ear-training exercises to improve tone and intonation

HOW DO I JOIN?

We hold auditions twice a year, in September/October and February/March.

At your audition, you’ll meet with our directors. Don’t worry, they’re super friendly and just want to be sure you can hold your pitch and sing in harmony. Be prepared to:

• run through some fun vocal exercises to get you warmed up and feel comfortable 

• perform one song of your choice, ideally a folk song 

Within a few weeks after the audition we’ll contact applicants to let them know about joining the choir. 

FEES

As a community choir, fees are necessary to secure a rehearsal space and pay our directors for their research and skills. Fees are charged by the term (see below). A sliding scale is available for a few singers who cannot afford the fee and in turn, they will be welcomed to contribute to the choir’s fundraising in other ways.

PERFORMANCES & SUPPORT UKRAINE

We have popup concerts all year round, for different folk-arts communities, and December though January are often quite busy with carolling, at events and private homes! We also plan one big year-end performance/fundraiser for UKRAINE in early June. And! We are excited for opportunities to collaborate with Sing With Ukraine and have our singers join their incredible and relentless efforts to raise awareness and funds for Ukraine’s ongoing struggle for freedom.

TERM 1: October - January.
Fee: $250 per chorister 

• 6 REHEARSALS focus on lyrical and harvest songs

• 7 REHEARSALS with Kosa Carollers focused on winter carols

• 1 SEASONAL WORKSHOP (either fall or winter)

• 1 SOCIAL SINGALONG HANG in November

• POP UP CONCERTS & CAROLLING end of December to end of January
  

TERM 2: end of February to June.
Fee is $250 per chorister 

• 6 REHEARSALS focus on Spring songs

• 7 REHEARSALS focus on summer repertoire & review of songs for end of year concert

• 1 SPRING/VESNIANKY WORKSHOP

• END OF YEAR CONCERT/FUNDRAISER (for Ukraine) in June

• POP UP CONCERTS & SPRING CAROLLING

KOSA CHOIR AT YOUR EVENT

For over a decade, Kosa singers have been called upon to perform in all sorts of events - from movie premiers and weddings to church events and festivals. And of course, one of our most beloved singing traditions, Koliada: caroling house to house for Ukrainian Christmas and New Year. Now with the choir being formalized, we are even more excited to animate a variety of spaces with the spirited and authentic sounds of Ukraine. If you are interested in having our Kosa Choir at your event, please reach out to us at kosasinging@gmail.com

MUSIC DIRECTOR

Andrea Kuzmich (Phd ABD, MFA) is an award-winning singer and performer, a teacher, ethnomusicologist and music facilitator. She has researched and performed vocal music in its many forms, from singing with a community immigrant Congolese gospel choir to recording professionally with a contemporary vocal improvisation ensemble. She has won awards for vocal jazz and South Indian performance and is known for her authentic performance styles in Ukrainian and Georgian singing with the ensembles Darbazi, ZARI, Ori Shalva, Kosa Kolektiv, Kalendar and Sing With Ukraine. She has led professional and community ensembles, choirs and workshops, specializing in the authentic performance styles of Ukrainian and Georgian vocal polyphony. Her research interests lie in the intersection of collective memory, ancestry and traditional music, and she has lectured, presented papers, and published on the subject.

Contact us for more information or to arrange an audition: kosasinging@gmail.com