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Doukhobor singing is unique in that it has never been recorded or sung
from musical notes. It is always rendered without the accompaniment of
musical instruments and without the direction of a conductor, but harmoniously
and with their whole spirit in it. The Doukhobors render their singing
through the medium of their own human musical organs, by the melodic blending
of their own God-given voices. The Doukhobors have venerated singing from
ages long past.
Doukhobor melodies express various kinds of feelings. At times the feelings
expressed are joyful, and at times they are mournful. The mournful melodies
come from the fact that Doukhobors, in their past history, have gone through
great suffering for their Christian beliefs.
In November of the year 1945, a group of young men, members of the Union
of the Spiritual Communities of Christ, from the district of Grand Forks,
BC, who were particularly interested in singing, organized what was probably
the first Male Choir in Doukhobor history.
The object of organizing this choir was to strengthen the interest of
the youth of their organization in preserving traditional Doukhobor singing.
It was felt that the preservation of this singing, in its own way, added
to the cultural heritage of this country as a whole.
In due time this Male Choir presented a series of concerts: singing programs
on the radio networks, mostly in Canada, and also some in the U.S.A. The
choir took part in Musical Festivals, regional as well as province wide.
They also made some phonograph recordings which sold quite widely. With
their presentations of the unique Doukhobor singing, they received wide
public acclaim and many came to refer to this choir as the "Cossack
Chorus".
Some newspaper excerpts referring to this choir, read as follows: (Grand
Forks Gazette -December 13, 1945)
"A remarkable feature of their singing is their intensity and
emotion. They sing with their hearts as well as their voices."
(Trail Daily Times. Monday, May 5, 1945)
"At the 14th Kootenay Festival, High School Auditorium, Trail,
BC. Colorful in their white jackets, Male Choir of Grand Forks, with their
two selections, brought the house down." (Vancouver Daily Province,
April 1, 1950)
"A first place certificate was awarded to the Male Choir of Grand
Forks, at the BC Music Festival, March 31, 1950 by adjudicator, Russel
Green, noted British Musician and Permanent conductor of the Birmingham
Festival Choral Society."
In the year of 1951 the Male Choir took in female members and the choir
now came to be known as the "Grand Forks Union of Spiritual Communities
of Christ Senior Choir." Carrying on their cultural activities,
the Senior Choir presented several more concerts, appeared at several
Folk Festivals, sang over radio networks, and during the month of February
1955 made a province wide tour of the mainland of BC. and also Vancouver
Island under the auspices of the Community Programme Branch, Department
of Education, Victoria, BC., during which time 24 concerts of singing
were presented.
The Senior Choir, among their other activities, made a tour of California,
U.S.A. They also made many appearances at regional churches and other
organizations.
The following is an excerpt about one of their appearances at a Kiwanis
Convention at Penticton, BC.
(Penticton Herald, September 11, 1957)
"Doukhobor Choir makes big hit with Kiwanis. The expressive melodies
in the close harmony that is typical of Doukhobor singing, made a big
impression with the 1,280 Kiwanians and wives, most of whom were hearing
such music for the first time. District Governor, Mel Dennis, said the
group was making a big contribution to the culture of Canada, and had
done much to promote good-will and understanding of their people by their
appearances".
SIDE 1
1."Our Saviour And His Disciples"
This hymn portrays the disciples asking Christ to tell them of signs of
His second coming and when the end of the world shall be near. Christ
speaks to them saying:
"Ye shall hear of wars, and rumours of wars, Nation shall arise against
Nation;
Disease shall be manifest and hunger prevalent, Men, though brothers shall
cause blood to flow."
2."I Wish To Praise Thee In Song" A
hymn of praise to God:
"I wish to praise Thee in song,
For your blessing, divine, my God.
You have lifted my spirit with your saving grace, Please accept my humble
appreciation.
All my life I shall never waver nor cease
To praise Thee and sing loudly - "Hosanna"!
3."The Convoy Proceeds Slowly"
The story of Doukhobors convoyed in chains to Siberia for refusal of military
service. The prisoners are young in years, but very aged by suffering.
The women and children, and the old ones, are left behind in tears.
4."Forward, Let Us Gather Under The Banner"
This hymn calls forth to all to unite under our Saviour Jesus Christ's
banner of peace. "Forward, ever forward, let us gather 'neath the
banner,
Neath the banner of the peaceful King of Kings;
Like a bolt of lightning through the heavens, This message should encompass
all the earth."
5."Praise Be To God"
A spiritual hymn of thankfulness and praise of the Lord for blessings
so lovingly bestowed.
6."From The Distance There Beckons A Land"
A hymn of consolation to all faithful believers, especially those whose
path on earth may be thorny and filled with sorrow.
"From the distance there beckons a land, All with Faith may attain
its bright shore. Heaven's gates is where the Saviour, Himself, - Leads
all faithful, to suffer no more . . ."
SIDE 2
1."Down The River Volga" Rendered
by Male Choir Traditional Russian song about their mother of rivers-the
Volga. At times, the great stream becomes stormy and there is danger for
those who travel upon it. To bolster their spirits, the travellers often
break into song, finding that, somehow, when they sing, the danger seems
less.
2."The Prisoner's Song" Rendered
by Male Quartet it's lyrics read:
"The sun rises and sets, but in my cell there is darkness. Night
and day the patrol guards my window.
Anyway, I can't escape. I want so much to he free. Yet I cannot break
my chains."
3."The Dying Coachman" Featuring
Alex Lazaroff
À song portraying the untimely death of a coach-man out on the
lonely plains and of his dying requests to his partner to convey his last
respects to his loved ones back home. "To my wife so dear,
Convey, my faithful friend that, from this day on
In vain she'll wait for me. . ."
4."I Miss You" Rendered
by Ladies Choir.
This takes the form of an allegory in which a girl whose love for a young
man is unreturned, likens herself to a slender-tree which longs to lean
on a mighty oak from which it is separated by a great distance. Alone,
slender and weak, it bends and shakes in the storm, and it can't help
thinking how different it would be if they could stand together, their
leaves mingling and whispering endearingly to each other.
5."Russian Plains"
Asong of the wide and fertile plains of Russia, it tells us that one can
hear the singing of a lark high above the rivers and fields, and
when night comes, a nightingale sings in the grove.
6."Those Evening Bells" Featuring
Helen Novokshonoff
"Those evening bells, those evening bells, How many a tale their
music tells.
Of youth and home, and that sweet time When last I heard their soothing
chime Those joyous hours are past away, And many a heart that then was
gay
Within the tomb now darkly dwells, And hears no more those evening bells.
And so 'twill be when I am gone
That tuneful peal will still ring on
While other bards shall walk these dells, And sing your praise, Sweet
evening bells."
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