PRESIDENT’S REPORT
Polonia Choir Society of Edmonton
November 2019 – November 2022
Thank you all for coming. It is hard to believe that this September, we were finally able to start another term after almost two and a half years of unplanned break due to the pandemic.
Fellow Members of Polonia Choir – thank you all for understanding and trust you put in this Board and in myself as I took on the role as a president back in November 2019.
The 2019-2020 season was Choir’s 21st year of existence. It started quite well with the performance to celebrate Polish Independence Day on November 11 at the Polish Hall. Then, we had very busy December:
- On the 8th of December, 2019, there was a Silent Night Concert at the Convocation Hall
- On the 12th – a concert for seniors at the Chartwell Griesbach Retirement Residence;
- On the 19th – a performance at the Polish Veterans Senior Citizens Home;
- On Christmas Day – we have sang during a Holy Mass at the Our Lady Queen of Poland Church;
- And on the 29th – we have sang carols at the Holy Rosary Church.
In the mid of January 2020, we started practising for two earlier planned events:
- May 3rd Constitution Day at the Polish Hall Celebration, and
- The 52nd Convention and Competition in Buffalo, NY, that was set for May 22-24, 2020, organized by the Polish Singers Alliance of America.
Our Casino was planned for June 2020.
The Board has started working on organization of the trip to Buffalo Convention: hotel rooms were booked, and the deposit was sent to PSAA. We have also paid deposits for both: the flights to Toronto, and for the tourist bus from that was supposed to transport us from Toronto to Buffalo and back. All needed documentation, as well as deposits from choir members were collected.
Then in March 2020 – the “pandemia” has happened:
- the trip to Buffalo was cancelled due to the travel ban;
- we have discontinued meeting for choir practices or board meetings for more than a year;
- ZOOM practices that we have tried to organize – were not successful.
In February, 2021, we said good bye to the Choir’s ex-member Ryszard Fryga – most of us could only watch a televised Funeral Mass on line.
During the 2021, the Board would meet from time to time on line only (through ZOOM) – to discuss some current issues or events, such as:
- Gift for Sarah’s newborn baby ($650 has been collected – from the members, and another $350 was donated from Choir’s general account to make it $1000); Mila deRegt has hand sewed a beautiful blanket for the baby, I added some toys, and delivered all to Sarah.
- The Board has attempted to organize a picnic in one of the City’s parks at the end of summer; but it did not materialized due to lack of interest of most of the members, and pretty high cost of rentals.
- Gifts for 80th Birthdays of Basia Pruska and Andrzej Labedz – I have gathered some pictures and ordered beautiful photo albums for each of the jubilates;
- After request from Pan Andrzej’s wife, Teresa, and with help from Jola Asenhajmer, I have tried to organize an artistic part of a “surprise 80th birthday party” for Pan Andrzej; it was supposed to be in a form of “Starsi Panowie Cabaret”; several people were involved, the songs were chosen, but before we had our first rehearsal, the event was cancelled due to the return of pandemic restrictions.
- On September 12, 2021 – Jola Wojcik represented the Choir’s Board at the Polish Settlement in Alberta celebration at the Legislature grounds, and Grazyna Rozycka has sang Polish and Canadian anthems there.
In the season of September 2021 – June 2022, Choir did not resume it’s practices – as not enough members were ready to meet face to face yet.
On the 27th of August, 2022 – we have organized choir’s picnic and potluck at my backyard. Thanks to a good music provided by Ela Ostapowicz’ husband, Grzegorz, and good foods that every body brought, the event was a big success.
Finally, on the 1st of September, 2022, the season of 2022-2023 was opened with the first practice on that day.
Although, we have lost almost one third of our members, who decided to resign for different reasons; overall, we still look good, and we sing quite well (that is our Art Director, Oksana’s opinion).
Nevertheless, because the choir is missing 3 tenors, the Board has started a recruitment campaign at three local Polish radio stations. I’ve also tried to promote Polonia Choir during the interview by Joanna Ciapka, at Polskie Radio Canada. We have also posted flyers about recruitment at all Polish stores and churches, and put adds on the Facebook.
In October of this year, we said good bye to another Choir ex-member, Maria Federkiewicz. This time, we as a group were able to fully participate and sing during the Funeral Mass.
At this point, please let me thank you all, as well as Board of Directors, and especially, our Artistic Director, Oksana Ostashevska (who could not be present today) – for the work, support and cooperation so far.
Bearing that we are not professionals, but trying the best we can as a team, we have accomplished quite a status during those 23 years of Choir’s existence. Historically, there is no doubt in my mind that our choir is preparing artistically for each concert and event to the top possible level. We have a gift that allows us to focus on our concerts more than on our practices…
Concluding, I wish each of you good health (so we would not miss practices), positive attitude and enthusiasm, as well as a sense of pride and accomplishment of being a member such a grand organization as Polonia Choir. Please join me in planning efforts for future endeavours and challenges Chor Polonia stands before.
Let’s dream together.
Eugenia Serewko,
President and member of Polonia Choir Society of Edmonton
Edmonton, December 1, 2022