Greetings Friends,

I wanted to send you some of the feedback we are receiving from the different venues on how well the Kyiv Symphony Orchestra and Chorus ladies are performing under Conductor Vika Konchakovska guidance at our concerts. I am also including some of the comments we are receiving from the families, who host our musicians overnight, and make it possible for us to afford this Hope For Ukraine Tour.

I am sharing this so you can be blessed with how God is using our partnership through the KSOC.

One gentleman spent a number of years as a vocal coach and conductor with the Virginia Opera; he is presently a vocal coach and conductor of the operas at a large university in Virginia. He was deeply moved by the concert and wrote the following:

"Throughout the concert, I could see the faces of each and every chorister so clearly. They each expressed so much joy in their music making and sheer presence of being there to offer a gift to us all that was a treasure of a lifetime. The music making was at the highest level. The conductor, an artist of extraordinary caliber. The nuance in the vocal and instrumental artistry was so moving. It hit home how universal the gift of music is. Though we don’t share the same native language, the language of the music we shared this afternoon was in absolute totality. And to think that they are sharing this great gift while enduring the enormous hardship of the war, was an experience one cannot totally put into words. Please accept my humble words as my thanks to you both for making this happen. What a noble and magical moment in my musical and personal life. I shall never forget it. Thank you from the bottom of my heart."

The second is from a gracious lady who recently retired from thirty plus years as voice teacher and director of opera productions at Virginia Commonwealth University here in Richmond. She wrote:

"I just wanted to reiterate how much we enjoyed the concert-event yesterday!!!! The singing was absolutely magical…..at times when they were singing with full visceral vigor and using rich harmonies, the overtones created were spiritually mesmerizing. Their sound, their expertise, their impeccable intonation, the amazing quality of the solo singers and instrumentalists, the repertoire chosen…..all of this made a profound and powerful impact on the audience. Despite the distressing conditions these people are experiencing on a daily basis (and perhaps for years in the future as the country and people heal and repair), this group used the power of music and their talents to create beauty for us all. This was an unforgettable concert."

A third note to us was from a retired Roman Catholic priest (one of the sponsors) who wrote:

“….thank you for including us in such a beautiful and meaningful afternoon. Over these past few years, I have often wondered what I could do to help these wonderful and brave people, who are not only fighting for their own freedom but the freedom of the world. You presented me with a wonderful way to do that! But I feel they did more for me Saturday afternoon than I could ever do for them. It is an afternoon I will remember for the rest of my life. Thank you for allowing me to be a small part of such a fantastic adventure!”

A man came up to me after our concert last night in Montgomery, AL to share how he was from Philadelphia and was a very big opera aficionado. He said, “I have heard performance all over the world in pursuit of his enjoyment. However, he said the quality and color of these ladies, who show exceptional individual gifting, blended into one voice and he has NEVER heard anything this incredible. I will never forget this night and will tell everyone I know about KSOC and the work of MMK. Thank you for sharing this incredible experience with us. I am overwhelmed with tears of joy.”

The encouraging words have not stopped with the performances. Here are a couple of quick examples from our host families.

One host wrote, “What a memorable and inspiring concert! I am so grateful to have been a part of it, especially to have had two choir members staying with me. I will never forget breakfast at my home with two of my daughters and three granddaughters when Marta and Kateryna sang Ukrainian folk songs to us. That and the two dinners in the parish hall were so special, and the church concert was magnificent. Thank you for bringing us such a gift.”

Another host wrote, “We had the best time at dinner last night – there was certainly a powerful and positive vibe in the Parish Hall that carried over to our house. We hosted the four instrumentalists who said at dinner they would like to give us a concert (oboe, flute, clarinet, and piano) when we got home. The first piece they played has become something of a rallying cry for Ukrainians (which reminded us of the Marseillaise and its importance). The other pieces were French romantic, very peaceful/soothing. It was wonderful! Adding to the fun was their enjoyment of our dogs who were equally glad to have new dog-lovers in the house! Thanks to all the musicians who performed for us personally and at the concert with such a beautiful musical experience. What a gift they brought us!”

Thank you for continuing to support our work at Music Mission Kiev. May your heart be encouraged to know how well you are being represented as a part of our mission. Please continue to pray for us as we finish the next 15 days of the Hope for Ukraine Tour. May God bless you and may He bring Peace to Ukraine.

Greg

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