The idea of the project began in 2006 with the concept of producing only one CD to be released in commemoration of the Doukhobors' historic migration to BC in 1908 and to create a project for Heritage Week, 2008. Many recordings are available of Doukhobor Choir singing, but there has been little concentration on releasing a modern-day, high quality digital compendium of 'Psalm-Singing', and what it historically represents to Doukhobors, for the appreciation of musicologists, the new Doukhobor generation and the general public.

The timing was fortuitous, for the 1908 Migration of Doukhobors to BC was recently proclaimed as an Event of National Importance, in time for the centenary.

Meetings were initiated by the Discovery Centre; elders and psalm-singing leaders and organizers from all communities were invited to participate and discuss the possibilities and logistics of such a project. Some (especially those who ultimately decided to engage), were eager to participate in such a project. Others cited conflicting schedules and other reasons for not participating, however the Doukhobor Discovery Centre forged ahead with the eager participants that showed keen interest.

Simultaneously, grant applications had been meticulously prepared to help assist with the expenses of such a project - it was not simply a matter of paying for the manufacture of a few CD's, but considerations regarding travel, arranging schedules with participating groups, arranging a multitude of recording sessions, arranging a concert of a 'final performance' and dealing with time schedules of all the participants involved. All of this required an extensive cooperation.

The Discovery Centre conducted video recorded interviews with various historians and some of the participating psalmists themselves from January to April 08. Recording sessions took place throughout, even during snow storms which the participants bravely encountered to meet their recording and rehearsal dates. Left, an interview with the knowledgeable Doukhobor author / historian, Eli Popoff. Right, behind the scenes as Ron shows his son AJ-Mahonin a method in lighting for a video shoot.

We realized that there was an opportunity to video record the project while we were already recording audio - so in many cases, and with the full appreciation of many of the 'intimate' recording opportunities that prevailed, up to 2 and 3 cameras were used when permitted. Many 'priceless' interviews and comments came from these video recordings, and we are excited about the release of a final DVD video production of our project. Some portions will be included on this website.

Although some of the audio recording sessions were not yet 'in the can', a final concert was produced at the USCC Cultural Centre in Grand Forks on February 24th, 2008, to correspond with Heritage Week. Here, over three dozen of the psalmists gathered for a special performance, arranged basically as a way of sharing the project with the general public, and demonstrating the manner in which the Doukhobors have attained their 'soul communion' over the centuries.

Here in Grand Forks at the USCC Cultural Centre Fred Makortoff introduces what the Psalmist Project in essence represents.