For more than a century, the Ukrainian Bandurist Chorus of North America (UBC) has preserved and shared one of Ukraine’s most distinctive musical traditions: the art of the bandura, a multi-stringed instrument unique to Ukrainian culture. This June, the internationally acclaimed ensemble returns to California and Arizona with its powerful concert program “Ukraine Lives!” («Все Буде Україна!»).

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Established in 1918, the all-male chorus brings together professional singers and instrumentalists from across North America. Their performances combine choral singing with the rich sound of the bandura, creating a musical experience unlike any other on the concert stage. Through concerts, educational programs, recordings, and archival work, the UBC continues its mission of cultivating and promoting the centuries-old kobzar and bandura tradition while sharing the story of Ukraine with audiences around the world.

The roots of the ensemble reach back to the early twentieth century, when the first bandurist chorus (the Kobzar Choir) was organized in Kyiv in 1918, during Ukraine’s struggle for independence following World War I.

The ensemble’s history soon became intertwined with the dramatic history of Ukraine itself. Under Soviet rule, many Ukrainian cultural leaders were persecuted or executed, and the ideals expressed through the songs of the bandurists—faith, truth, freedom, and human dignity—were seen as dangerous expressions of national identity.

During World War II, members of the chorus endured imprisonment and forced labor in Germany. After the war, the surviving musicians found themselves in displaced persons camps before eventually emigrating to the United States in 1949, establishing a new home for the ensemble in Detroit. In North America, the chorus rebuilt its artistic life, continuing to perform while many members worked in the automotive industry to support their families.

Over the decades that followed, the Ukrainian Bandurist Chorus toured extensively across North America, Australia, and Europe, released numerous recordings, and helped train new generations of bandurists. The ensemble also maintained cultural ties with Ukraine, especially after the country regained independence in 1991.

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Today, under the direction of Artistic Director Oleh Mahlay, the chorus continues to expand its artistic reach through collaborations with leading musicians and cultural institutions. The ensemble has been recognized with numerous honors, including Ukraine’s Taras Shevchenko State Prize and the National Endowment for the Arts National Heritage Fellowship, the highest honor in the United States for traditional arts.

The California and Arizona concerts in June 2026 mark the final performances of the acclaimed program “Ukraine Lives!”, which has already been presented to thousands of audience members across North America. The repertoire weaves together traditional Ukrainian music, historic songs of struggle and resilience, and works by contemporary composers experiencing today’s war in Ukraine.

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More than a concert, the program offers audiences a powerful musical journey through Ukraine’s past and present — and a testament to the enduring strength of its culture.

Tickets and additional information are available at https://www.bandura.org/events
Youth age 22 and under are admitted free.