To begin the day, responses in Divine Liturgy were sung beautifully by the Carica Milica Women's Choir, comprised of singers throughout the Pittsburgh area (and beyond!), under the direction of Snezana Lazich.

 

Following Liturgy was fellowship with entertainment provided by Orchestra Radost, and a luncheon was served, prepared lovingly by the St. Elijah Mother's Club.

 

The concert featured 6 choirs from throughout the Pittsburgh area: 

 

St. Elijah Serbian Orthodox Church Choir, directed by George Milosh

St. Nicholas Serbian Orthodox Church Choir of Monroeville, PA, directed by Snezana Lazich

SSS Petar Krstich of Steubenville, OH, directed by Nino Karas

The Beaver Valley Choral Society Chamber Choir of New Brighton, PA, directed by Sharon R. Buchill and accompanied by Judy Yester 

Tsar Lazar Men's Choir, directed by George Milosh 

Carica Milica Women's Choir, directed by Snezana Lazich

 

The choirs presented beautiful renditions of compositions and arrangements by Serbian, Russian, Ukrainian, and American composers including Stevan Stojanovic Mokranjac, Dmitry Bortniansky, Tamara Petijevic, Gordana Mihajlovic, Slobodan Zelich, Sergey Rachmaninoff, and Pittsburgh local, Chaz Bowers.

 

The Beaver Valley Choral Society's performance of Rachmaninoff's "Bogorodice Djevo" was one of the most special moments of the day, receiving a rousing standing ovation from those in attendance following their beautiful rendition of this beloved piece.

 

Other noteworthy moments included the combined St. Elijah and St. Nicholas choirs singing "Pukni Zoro" from the film Montevideo, and Father George Popovich adding his virtuosic guitar talents to accompany the Carica Milica Women's Choir in their performance of "Ja sam zena."

 

The entire day was sponsored by the St. Elijah Endowment for the Future, in hopes that we can continue to celebrate beautiful choral music in Aliquippa for many years to come!