Leadership Shake-Up at the Hryhorii Veryovka National Choir
Ukraine’s Ministry of Culture is preparing a leadership change at the Hryhorii Veryovka National Choir. Acting General Director and Artistic Director Ihor Kuryliv may be replaced by Vadym Yatsenko. This move follows public revelations about internal challenges, including unpaid time off for artists and a low rate of male performers receiving military deferments. A collective meeting is scheduled for June 29 at 12:30 PM, where the Ministry’s final decision will be announced.
Kuryliv has led the choir in an acting capacity for over four and a half years. Previously, he served as the choir’s executive director and managed concert programs for Ukrainian pop star Sofia Rotaru. Notably, the Ministry of Culture never signed a full contract with him. In a recent interview with the Ukrainian outlet Glavcom, he discussed the ensemble’s struggles, including unpaid leave for artists and a shortage of male members due to mobilization.
Potential Successor and Key Challenges
Vadym Yatsenko, likely to succeed Kuryliv, currently serves as chief choirmaster of the Lviv Opera and artistic director of the Lviv Municipal Choir Hommin. According to Ministry sources, the search for a new Veryovka Choir leader began before Tetiana Berezhna took over as Minister of Culture. Yatsenko holds the honorary title of Merited Artist of Ukraine, awarded by the president. However, when Glavcom journalists reached out for comment, he declined to provide details.
Deputy Minister of Culture Yevhen Lavra, also contacted by Glavcom, neither confirmed nor denied the reports. Meanwhile, the Veryovka Choir faces serious hurdles: a shortage of male performers due to mobilization and limited options for artist deferments. The ensemble has also shifted to a four-day workweek due to insufficient state funding.
Reflecting on the potential changes, a former Ministry of Culture head remarked that
“Yatsenko might want to bring something new to the Veryovka Choir”and
“perhaps there will be modern arrangements or other choral variations.”He noted that choral culture is gradually disappearing from art posters, which could motivate Yatsenko to inject fresh ideas into the choir’s activities.
In conclusion, the leadership transition at the Hryhorii Veryovka National Choir could mark a pivotal moment in its evolution. The June 29 meeting will help define the ensemble’s future direction. These personnel changes may influence the choir’s development strategy and repertoire, aligning with contemporary trends in Ukrainian musical culture. Key questions remain: how will the collective respond to new initiatives, and can the new leader overcome existing challenges related to funding and artist mobilization?
As the leadership transition unfolds, the former director of the Veryovka Choir has embarked on a new chapter in his career, taking up a teaching position. This shift comes in the wake of recent challenges faced by the choir, highlighting the ongoing impact of leadership changes on the ensemble's future. For more insights into the former director's new role and the implications of this transition, read about his recent career move here.