Kapella Kyrie sings. Photos by Ksenia Lukiianchuk
LHI Reporter Ksenia Lukiianchuk for NP-UN
On May 8, St. Josaphat Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral in Edmonton became filled with sacred harmonies, contemporary choral music, and emotional tributes during “Among Women», a concert presented by Kappella Kyrie Slavic Chamber Choir under the direction of Dr. Melanie Turgeon.
Created as a celebration of women in music ahead of Mother’s Day, the program highlighted female composers, poets, musicians, and inspirations whose work and influence continue to shape generations. The evening featured a blend of Ukrainian sacred music, classical works, contemporary compositions, and modern arrangements performed by Kappella Kyrie alongside guest ensemble Elegance Strings.
Elegance Strings
One of the central focuses of the evening was Ukrainian composer Stefania Turkewich (1898–1977), widely recognized as Ukraine’s first female composer. Several movements from her 1919 Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom opened the concert, introducing audiences to a composer whose music was created during one of the most turbulent periods in Ukrainian history.
Her father and grandfather were Greek Catholic priests, while music surrounded her from childhood. Though her early liturgical compositions were more modest than her later avant-garde works, they carried remarkable emotional and spiritual depth.
A significant local connection ties the Turkewich family to Edmonton. Stefania’s brother, Lev Turkewich — a conductor, composer, pianist, and educator — immigrated to Canada in 1950 and later lived in both Edmonton and Toronto. Throughout his career in Canada, he conducted choirs, symphonic concerts, and operas while also arranging numerous folk songs and musical works. His contributions helped preserve and develop Ukrainian musical traditions within the Ukrainian Canadian community.
The concert’s opening sacred set also featured works by contemporary Ukrainian composer Victoria Vita Poleva and Canadian composer Peter-Anthony Togni. The combination of Ukrainian liturgical music with contemporary choral arrangements created a program that felt both timeless and deeply relevant.
Adding another emotional layer to the evening was Elegance Strings, an all-female string quartet formed by musicians displaced from different parts of Ukraine due to the war. According to the program notes, the ensemble was “born from love for music and for Ukraine,” carrying memory, identity, and hope through every performance.
The repertoire moved fluidly between sacred and contemporary works, including Karl Jenkins’ energetic Palladio, Ola Gjeilo’s lyrical The Rose, Beethoven’s Elegischer Gesang (Elegiac Song), Billy Joel’s She’s Always a Woman, and Elaine Hagenberg’s reflective Deep Peace.
Audience members described the performance as both emotional and memorable. Sarah Rianson shared that she experienced “very positive emotions” during the evening and was impressed by the performers’ ability to combine cultural traditions with a modern sound.
“I really enjoyed the performance,” said Sarah Rianson.
“It was my first time seeing these performers, and I was impressed by the harmonious combination of cultural traditions and contemporary music. Overall, it was a wonderful experience.”
Another attendee, Bev Toderian, praised the professionalism of the musicians and singers.
“Oh, it was incredible… They are all professionals. It was just wonderful”
Several soloists stood out throughout the evening. Tenor Nathan Bootsma brought warmth and emotional nuance to She’s Always a Woman, while Andrew Whiteside’s performance in Togni’s Hymn to the Theotokos added a solemn and reverent atmosphere to the sacred portion of the concert.
One of the most memorable moments came near the end of the evening, when soprano Mayanna Carter performed Andrii Hnatyshyn’s Bohorodytse Divo (Hail Mary) before the encore. Her clear and expressive voice filled the cathedral, leaving the audience in complete silence before erupting into applause.
The concert title, Among Women, was inspired by the Hail Mary prayer: “Blessed are you among women.” Throughout the evening, that idea extended far beyond religion alone. The program became a tribute to mothers, artists, educators, composers, and women whose voices continue to resonate through music, memory, faith, and community.
Founded in 2010 by Dr. Melanie Turgeon and others, Kappella Kyrie Slavic Chamber Choir has become an important part of Edmonton’s cultural and Ukrainian musical landscape. Over the years, the choir has collaborated with numerous Canadian and international artists, toured Europe, and presented major performances celebrating Slavic sacred and choral traditions.
As the final notes faded beneath the golden iconography of St. Josaphat Cathedral, Among Women left audiences with a message of remembrance, gratitude, and peace — while also highlighting the enduring strength of Ukrainian musical heritage in Canada.
