Dumka Shows Its Class

Nester Horodovenko, teacher, musician, and great enthusiast, organized his first church choir at the age of 16. In 1919, he became Dumka's artistic director (Dumka is the Ukrainian acronym for the State Ukrainian Traveling Choir). Under his guidance the group reached creative peaks, performing Ukrainian songs and passionately propagating them.

The choir's high professional level today is largely due to the artistic director and chief conductor, Yevhen Savchuk, conductors Viktor Petrychenko and Andriy Voroshylov, and of course the soloists.

To commemorate the company's 80th anniversary, the President and Cabinet issued edicts and resolutions awarding the best performers. Yevhen Savchuk, Taras Shevchenko Prize winner, People's Artist of Ukraine, was awarded the Order of Outstanding Merit, Third Class.