Homestretch: Kyiv, Part Deux

Sunday, July 15

Kyiv - Shschtekavits'ka (Central Baptist) Concert

We boarded the bus at the Hotel Rus, and headed over to the concert site, Central Baptist Church, in the Podil or historic district of Kyiv. Many of you will remember this church, as it has been the site of many memorable visits to Ukraine. It's the "mother" church of the Baptist Union, and has great acoustics for music. Evangelion has not done a concert there since 2001, so it was a welcome return for the congregation.

Gratefully, the weather was not nearly as blisteringly hot as it was just over a week ago on July 7 when we had our first rehearsal here together with The Magnificent Seven. It’s quite mindboggling to think of the thousands of kilometers we have driven together, and how much of Ukraine we have seen. A lot of weather and life has transpired in that week+! We had the opportunity to record tonight’s concert, so our concert preparations were focused on mic placement and tidying up small things in our music. Considering the proximity of the mics to us, I am a bit skeptical about the sound quality, but that remains to be seen. We won’t listen to the recording until we get back to the US. At least we will have a chance to hear our “Ukrainian sound” before we welcome our home chorale members back into our midst.

Considering it was Sunday night, and attendance at Sunday night worship in Ukraine churches is in decline as it is in American church Sunday nights, we had an excellent turnout of around 400 people (in a room that seats 1000). The pastor was in rare form as he welcomed us! We sang “Blessed Assurance” together as we began the service, followed by prayer and the reading of a music-related Psalm. (I think it was Ps. 150, but my Ukrainian is limited).  We began our concert. It went well. No applause (I just really love that) until after the Moses Hogan Climbin’ Up the Mountain, which I guess was to be expected, but it still surprises me when they clap in church. I have become so accustomed to the quiet response to beauty here, vs. applause for everything. I think the Ukrainians think we Americans expect applause, or we will be unhappy. Not this American!

We finished the concert by singing “What a Friend We Have in Jesus” – Pam Sohriakoff played extemporaneously (there’s a big word!) on both of our hymns with great flair and gusto, showing her amazing artistic range. Just moments before she had played Rachmaninoff, Grieg and Poulenc! More warm and grateful greetings in street in front of the church after the concert, and lingering conversations (I love that about Ukraine) followed by a leisurely dinner outdoors at the Hotel Rus which included Chicken Kiev (yes, friends, that dish does come from Kiev and not just Simek’s freezer!) and cold Coke Light on ice (a few of you will find this especially meaningful). Sleep came easily tonight! Dobranitch. (Good night)