Media release
University Chapel (5375 University Blvd. just after the UBC Golf Course) cordially invites you to hear the Kiev Symphony Orchestra and Chorus as they present a concert of choral and instrumental music combined with music from the Slavic tradition on Thursday, September 11th at 7pm.
This group of professionally trained musicians, led by Dr. Wes Janzen (former director of choirs at Trinity Wester University), is part of Music Mission Kiev and will be presenting stories of God’s work in Ukraine as they serve widows, orphans, the elderly and refugees. A free-will offering will be taken to help cover the costs of the tour and to contribute to the work of MMK in Ukraine.
Contact Ben Ewert at bencewert@gmail.com for more info. Download poster with more details.
Some history:
Dr. Wes Janzen, on leave from Trinity Western University in Langley, BC, is directing these 90 artists – 45 instrumentalists and 45 singers from Kiev.
It all began in 1992 when an Episcopal priest in Kiev, Ukraine, grateful for freedom after the collapse of the oppressive Communist regime, invited Roger McMurrin, a distinguished American conductor and composer, together with his wife, Diane, to come to Kiev to present a concert featuring the long-forbidden Handel’s Messiah.
The Ukrainian audiences and also the musicians were overwhelmed by the message and splendour of Handel’s masterpiece. Thus Music Mission Kiev was born.
From these unusual beginnings, Music Mission Kiev flourished and very quickly, a world-class orchestra and chorus was formed. The KSOC has toured on 3 continents and in many countries. Significantly, the KSOC has performed to great applause in New York’s famed Carnegie Hall.
Music Mission Kiev now also encompasses personal care and material assistance of more than 350 widows and widowers every week in the city of Kiev, as well as orphans and other people in need.
More history:
It all began in 1992 when an Episcopal priest in Kiev, Ukraine, grateful for freedom after the collapse of the oppressive Communist regime, invited Roger McMurrin, a distinguished American conductor, and his wife, Diane, to come to Kiev to present a concert featuring the long-forbidden Handel’s Messiah. The Ukrainian audiences and the musicians were overwhelmed by the message and splendour of Handel’s masterpiece. Thus a new church, Church of the Holy Trinity, and a new Christian mission, Music Mission Kiev,were born. More recently, St Paul’s Church has been planted and it, too, continues to grow.
From these unusual beginnings a major ministry has developed and flourished. Very quickly, a world-class orchestra was formed and an outstanding professional chorus was created. Importantly, many of these outstanding professional singers and musicians have become believers.
God has blessed Music Mission Kiev; it has grown rapidly in scope and impact. With its expanding repertoire of sacred classical music, the KSOC has impacted not only Kiev and Ukraine but also other lands. The KSOC has toured on three continents and in many countries. Its concerts, CDs, and DVDs have blessed and inspired countless thousands, if not millions, around the world. Significantly, the KSOC has performed to great applause in New York’s famed Carnegie Hall.
The Lord has enlarged KSOC’s arena of ministry. The KSOC currently brings the Gospel to former countries of the Soviet Union including Muslim countries generally closed to the Gospel. Music Mission Kiev now encompasses personal care and material assistance to widows, widowers, orphans, and other needy people in Kiev. MMK’s expanding ministry also includes Bible distribution, Bible studies, programs for children, training in evangelism, and a service by Christian widows to home-bound widows.
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