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On February 25th Lithuanian Community of New York together with the Consulate General of Lithuania in New York invited all to celebrate Lithuanian Independence Day at the Church of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Brooklyn where Lithuanian Choral Ensemble Dainava, supported by KFF, performed.
Dainava is a dynamic cultural ensemble of 80 members of various age, with different professions and interests, who get together because of their love for song and Lithuania; this group has performed in over 300 concerts, various musical productions, classical oratories, and Lithuanian cantatas. The ensemble – under the leadership of its chorus master, composer, conductor, and artistic director Darius Polikaitis – is actively pursuing fresh, new musical selections to complement its current inventory of Lithuanian folk music with a more classical repertoire.
This cultural ensemble was established in 1946, a year after the mass immigration to Germany from Lithuania during World War II. At that time, over 100 choral members as well as folk dancers joined this newly established cultural group whose motto would lead it into the future: "Forward To Freedom with Song!"
Five years later in 1951, the Dainava Lithuanian Chorale was re-created in Chicago by the newly immigrated S. Sodeika, conductor; and G. Velicka, art director. The repertoire of the ensemble was spiritually fortified by its major theme, the longing for and the memories of homeland. Over the years many talented musicians worked with the ensemble. Since 1988 Darius Polikaitis has been leading it.
Even though Dainava's main purpose is to foster Lithuanian choral arts, ensemble also performed many different genre pieces in latin and other languages. New current Lithuanian composers' work is constantly added to ensemble's repertoire. In 2002 ensemble released Lithuanian song album "Where Woods Grow Green". Dainava performed with well known musicians - Veronika Povilioniene, Sonata and Rokas Zubovas, Andrius Mamontovas, Darius Klisius, Algirdas Kauspedas, Arturas Anusauskas; had concerts with Toronto "Volunge" and Cleveland "Exultate"; is a regular participant at the song festivals in Lithuania, as well as in diaspora.
However, Dainava will not veer from its roots – Dainava resounds to keep its Lithuanian heritage alive and to ensure that its audience – young or old – experience the joy of song in their souls.
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Photos: Courtesy of A. Grybas