The first obligation of the St. Elijah Choir has always been to perform at the highest level of quality and reverance at Divine Liturgies, church services, holidays, festivals, and events and to support our church. We have served voluntarily and unselfishly at all church functions and services: Sunday worship, holidays, pomens, parastos, weddings, SSF Festivals, banquets, fundraisers, food festivals, and the church renovation project. Apart from these, we retain our separate obligations as church members.
We take special pride in representing the St. Elijah Church Community as its choral ambassadors throughout the tri-state area, North America, and Serbia. We have performed for the royal family, HRH Crown Prince Alexander and HRH Crown Princess Katherine, twice. We have been guest choir at churches in North America and Serbia. We have sung the Hierarchical Liturgies for bishop ordinations and final services within the diocese. We were invited as the first United States choir to perform at the Ninth Musical Edict Festival – International Festival of Sacred Music – in Niš, Serbia. In addition to the festival performance, we sang our own concert at a Niš Church, joined the Niš Cathedral Choir during the Pentecost Divine Liturgy, and had the great honor of singing the Divine Liturgy at the Temple of St. Sava in Belgrade, Serbia.
To support our church, fellow organizations, our travel, local concerts, and events, we hold several fundraisers throughout the year. These include holiday candy sales, bake sales, a Bowling Bash, a Bowling Ball, and other events.
Rehearsals are Wednesday from 7:30pm – 9:00pm on the stage in the Center. We welcome singers interested in singing everywhere and every time, along with those wishing to be Sunday Singers at the liturgies. Join our Choir Family!
George Milosh – Musical Director
Adam Loverich – President
Kathy Loverich – Vice President
Diane Volitich Knapp – Secretary
Dushie Mistovich – Treasurer
Cheryl Leydig – Financial Treasurer
Visit and follow the St. Elijah Choir on our Facebook page. Travel with us. Catch some of our performances.
History
The St. Elijah Choir was organized in late 1930 when two socio musical groups – ” Svemir” and “Fruska Gora” – united and renamed themselves the St. Elijah Church Choir. The merger attracted about sixty enthusiastic and spirited Serbian singers, dedicated to their ethnic tradition, culture and Orthodox Church music.
Early directors included Nikola Bizich, Professor Kordin, and Professor E. Bloz. Father Antonoff, a local Russian priest, assumed the duties in the mid-1930s. He was instrumental in refining the choral harmony and liturgical responses. Following his departure Michael Holovac directed the choir. During his tenure, the choir was inducted in to the Serbian Singing Federation (SSF) on September 12, 1937. John Holovac succeeded his brother, Mike, and served until the unforgettable Professor Boris Dobrovoljsky arrived in 1938. He brought with him a rich and extensive musical background of Serbian choral music along with introducing the choir to composers, principally Stevan Mokranjac. Under “Dobby,” the choir enjoyed prominence and success at SSF Festivals along with concerts that were competitive in that era. In 1948, the choir performed a joint concert with Metropolitan Opera Soprano, Danica Ilich.
After 25 memorable years, Dobby retired in 1963. The choir’s next director was Milan Vuchich, who served a short time. Slobodan Zelich arrived in the early 1970s and brought with him many arrangements and interpretations. Veda Y. Milanovich followed him and led the choir for six years. Under Veda’s direction, the choir hosted the SSF Festival in 1978. Lela Y. Mamula added assistance in church services and related activities. Stella Wallace Dobrovoljsky, Dobby’s wife, next came to the aid of the choir. Under her direction, we observed our 50th (Golden) Anniversary in 1980. Assisting at this time also was Joyce Medic Yovetich.
Dr. Albert Hazeem followed and during his tenure the choir hosted yet another SSF Festival in 1987. Father Vladimir Soroka of Ambridge succeeded Hazeem and introduced the choir to many new liturgical compositions. For many years, Marian Izek, with her highly professional technical skills, instructed the choir, and Kathy Loverich directed us in concert performances. Throughout this era, Sunday Divine Liturgies were directed by Kathy Loverich in partnership with Kathy Chesla, Donna August, and Andy Muha.
Throughout his entire tenure as our priest, Father Stevan Stepanov was part of the choir’s bass section. He shared his enviable singing talents willingly and graciously. He enriched and challenged us by introducing many compositions over the years that we sang with him during liturgy and concert. He taught us about the conversation between priest and choir to make each service more sacred. He inspired generations of basses and canters who are active in the church and choir today.
George Milosh is the current choir director. He was raised at St, Elijah Church and is the product of much of the history related above. His exceptional natural talent comes in his genes – Veda Milanovich was his grandmother. He grew up in Junior Choir, as an altar boy, canter, and choir member – under the tutelage of Father Stephan, Kathy Loverich, Kathy Chesla, Donna August and Andy Muha. He is professionally trained in Opera Performance with Masters and Batchelors degrees. George challenges and inspires the choir to sing musically and technically at the highest levels.
In addition to our local efforts, we have been a member of the Serbian Singing Federation since 1937. We help sustain that body both financially and physically. We have hosted several SSF festivals, SSF conventions, and Choral Workshops in Aliquippa. We have been active participants in the annual SSF Festivals.
The passing of any valued member leaves a void in our ranks and in our hearts. We offer in reverence our sincerest ” Vjecnaja Pamjat” (Memory Eternal) to our dearly departed members of our St. Elijah Choir Family. Gone but never forgotten.
Kolo Choir/Holiday Choir
On April 17, 1973, a group of ladies from the Kolo Srpskih Sestra met with Fr. Stevan, and a new choir formed. This choir sang responses during the week at holidays and services. They made their first appearance singing the responses at Divine Liturgy on “Spasovdan” June 7, 1973.
The original Choir included the following ladies:
+ Milica G Milanovich, + Kata Crevar, + Protinica Tomich, + Popodija Ana Stepanov, + Milka Rodich, + Kata Manojlovich, + Stella Philipovich, + Milka Milosecevich, + Marija Zlatovich, + Darinka Kusic, + Sara Scott, + Kata Grkovich, + Milka Zernich, + + Milice Vignjevich, Sophia Bila, + Rose Mrvosh, + Vera Djordjevich, Dorothy Minnich, + Darinka Holic, + Mildred Duich, + Danica Petrovich, + Marcia Ivosevich, + Seka Paich, + Mary Klipa, + Diana Abramovich, + Beatrice Wolorad, + Martha Milich, +Ann Urick, + Ruzica Mijatov, + Ann Ostojich, + Mary Madjarevich
A choir continues to sing responses each and every holiday. It is a combination of choir members and parishoners of both genders. The name has changed but the love of our music and church is still the same. They are now known as the “Holiday Choir”.
Junior Choir
The Junior Choir was formed in March 1993 by Fr. Stevan Stepanov and assisted by Donna August and Kathy Loverich. Twenty plus eager singers between the ages of three to sixteen attended the weekly rehearsals. The main focus for the singers was to help them learn the Serbian language through song, introduce them to basic music theory and basic vocal techniques. The children were quick and eager to learn. Over the course of time their repertoire consists of many secular songs as well as many liturgical selections.
One of their greatest accomplishments is they are able to sing the Tones during liturgy each and every Sunday, sing the communion hymn as well as sing during offertory. They have performed at the Annual Fellowship Dinners, for the St. Sava Celebrations along with performing at the St. Elijah Choir’s Annual Concerts. The Junior Choir has also performed when The SSF Festival was held in Aliquippa, either by themselves or as part of the Main and mass choir.
The foundation of this choir has paved the way for singers to join various Tammie groups and Chorus classes at the Junior and Senior High School level. The main goal is for them to move into and join the St. Elijah Choir and carry on the gift of song for years to come.
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