Carol of the Bells
By M. Leontovich, Arr. by Peter J. Wilhousky
Youth Chorus
Carol of the Bells is a Christmas staple in the United States, but it was written by Ukrainian composer, Leontovich, in 1904 and first performed by a student choral group at Kiev University in 1916. Originally called Shchedryk, Leontovich based it on a Ukrainian folk chant. The song came to the U.S. 100 years ago when the Ukrainian National Chorus performed it on October 5, 1922, as part of their tour of Europe and the Americas, at a time when Ukrainians were fighting for freedom. The chorus was a musical answer to a political question. Ukrainian nationalists made a choir to sing their music all around the world, showing people they were a separate language and culture with their own country. In 1936, American composer Peter Wilhousky wrote English lyrics to the song, giving it a Christmas theme, and calling it Carol of the Bells.
Spectrum Choral Academy Presents ~ 10th Concert Season
"Christmas Mystical & Magical"
Saturday, December 10, 2022, 3:00 PM & 7:00 PM
Kilworth Memorial Chapel, University of Puget Sound, Tacoma, WA
Stephanie Charbonneau, Artistic Director
Julie Mandery, Accompanist
www.spectrumchoir.com
