Cherkasy Philharmonic to Bear Alexander Koshyts's Name
Deputies of the Cherkasy Regional Council have unanimously voted to rename the Cherkasy Regional Philharmonic in honor of Alexander Koshyts. This prominent choral conductor, composer, and ethnographer is widely recognized for creating the first orchestral arrangement of the Ukrainian national anthem, 'Shche ne vmerla Ukraina' (Ukraine Has Not Yet Perished). His work was pivotal in establishing the anthem's musical form during Ukraine's early 20th-century struggle for statehood.
The Life and Work of Alexander Koshyts
Born in the Kaniv region into a large family, Alexander Koshyts began his education at the Bohuslav Eparchial School and later graduated from the Kyiv Theological Seminary in 1901 with a candidate of theology degree. With the support of Mykola Lysenko, he conducted ethnographic expeditions through Cossack settlements, collecting material for 500 songs compiled into ten notebooks, for which he received a Gold Medal.
From 1909, he led the student choir at Kyiv University of St. Volodymyr. Members of this choir gave the first performance of 'Shchedryk' (Carol of the Bells) in Mykola Leontovych's arrangement in 1916. During the era of the Ukrainian People's Republic, Koshyts headed the music department of the General Secretariat of Education. In January 1919, Head of the Directory Symon Petliura tasked him and Kyrylo Stetsenko with organizing a Ukrainian republican chapel for a world tour to promote Ukraine. The chapel's repertoire consisted exclusively of folk songs arranged by Lysenko, Stetsenko, Koshyts, and Leontovych.
From 1919 to 1921, the chapel toured Europe, crossing the Atlantic in 1922. The ensemble could not return to Ukraine, however, as Soviet authorities denied permission. Alexander Koshyts remained in the United States, moving to Winnipeg in 1941 at the invitation of the Ukrainian National Federation of Canada. He died on September 21, 1944, and is interred in the Glen Eden Mausoleum columbarium near Winnipeg.
"Today marks a historic event! During its plenary session, the Cherkasy Regional Council unanimously adopted an important decision: the Cherkasy Regional Philharmonic will now bear the name of Alexander Koshyts, the choral conductor, composer, and ethnographer who wrote the orchestral arrangement for the song 'Shche ne vmerla Ukraina'," noted Roman Sushenko.
This step honors the memory of an outstanding Ukrainian figure who made a significant contribution to the development of Ukrainian musical culture.
The decision represents an important move in preserving and popularizing Ukraine's cultural heritage. Through his work, Alexander Koshyts left a vivid mark on the history of Ukrainian music, and the philharmonic's new name underscores the importance of his legacy for current and future generations. Honoring such figures fosters the development of national identity and cultural consciousness for the Ukrainian people.