The much anticipated release of the 3-piece CD set from the 42nd Serbian Orthodox Choral Association Festival is now for sale. The concert on June 2nd was held at the Reinhardt Auditorium in Merrillville, Indiana and was recorded live, hosted by our Karageorge Choir. This offering of spiritual and national selections is like no other, performed by choirs from around the world. Participating choirs were: Stevan Mokranjac, Chicago, Draza Mihailovich, Cudahy, Stevan Mokranjac, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, Holy Trinity, St. Louis, Kosovo Choir, Ohio Region, Kornelije Stankovich, East Chicago, St. Michael, The Archangel, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, St. John's Cathedral Choir, San Francisco, and Branko Choir, Nis, Serbia. Run time is 2 hours, 40 min. This would make a great gift for any occasion.

Special Thanks to John Derado for his hard work and talents on this project. This unique collection of Serbian music reflects the pride in all the hearts of the performers.

Checks made to SSS Karageorge can be mailed to Desa Halstead, 1349 S. Illinois St., Hobart, Indiana, 46342, (219) 942-7030, or you can order online in Goods & Services and pay with your credit card. You can also pick up a set at Church any Sunday from Desa, or from the display case in the Church entrance. The Price is $25 for the 3-pc. set, plus $4 Shipping & Handling

Father Jovan Todorovich shares his experience at SOCA and his travels with the Branko Choir: OUTSTANDING! MARVELOUS! SUCCESS!

 

The 42nd Serbian Orthodox Choral Association Festival of New Gracanica Metropolitanate was hosted by the veteran Karageorge Choir of Merrillville, IN, June 1-3, 2007. Mary (Popovich) Halfman, Pres., Dr. Jolynn (Rudman) Derado, chairperson, and committee members exceeded our expectations in arranging hotel reservations, concert locat...

(continues ...)

SSS Karageorge of St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church in Merrillville, IN hosted a spectacular SOCA Choir Festival in early June in Northwest Indiana. Nine choirs from across the United States and Canada participated, along with the famous Branko Radicevic Choir from Nis, Serbia, special honored guests. The Reinhart Auditoriium in Merrillville High School was filled to capacity and the audience thoroughly enjoyed the concert of Serbian Orthodox sacred music and Serbian songs. The Branko Choir of Nis, under the direction of Sara Cincarevic, received a well-deserved standing ovation for its' awesome performance. Each and every choir gave outstanding performances, including the all men's Kosovo Choir from the Ohio region.

The St. Sava Karageorge choir was a perfect host. A welcoming party was held on Friday evening, along with a reception and dance following Saturday's concert. On Sunday the Branko Choir from Nis sang the responses for the Divine Liturgy and a banquet was held in their honor following the church services at St. Sava Hall in Hobart, IN. Paul Jancarich, the historian for the Karageorge Choir, displayed an impressive pictorial exhibit of the history of Karageorge from its' beginning. Father Marko Matic is the new parish priest at St. Sava Church. Father Jovan Todorovich retired after serving 36 years.

Rosalyn Opacich

Photos sent in by Danny Petkovic. All photos can be viewed on our Photobucket Page.

Greetings to everyone attending this weekend's 2007 SOCA Festival hosted by SSS Karageorge and St. Sava in Merrillville Indiana. The event begins with a welcome gathering on Friday evening at St. Sava Hall. Saturday continues with practices, and the main concert performances. Then we close Sunday at St. Sava with divine liturgy sung by Branko Choir from Serbia, followed by an afternoon banquet at the hall. More event details can be found here.

We will post pictures from the festival on this site, so check back soon. And please send in your pictures to our email address, which can be found above in our profile above.

 

Friday

6pm - Welcome Gathering

Light food and music at St. Sava Hall

Saturday

11am - Practice Sessions at Merrillville High School

Mass Choirs, Individual Choirs

1:30pm - Twelve International Choirs Concert

Performing Serbian Folk and Sacred Orthodox Music

FREE Admission - Everyone Welcome

6:30pm - Dance and Evening Festivities at St. Sava Hall

$10 Admission, 2 Live bands and wonderful Serbian food

Sunday

9:30am - Divine Liturgy at St. Sava Church

Responses by Branko Choir from Nis, Serbia

Appetizers and banquet following at St. Sava Hall

 

Merrillville High School: Map of 276 E 68th Pl Merrillville, IN 46410-3566, US

St. Sava Hall: 4101 W 49th Ave Hobart, IN 46342-3719, US

St. Sava Church: Map of 9191 Mississippi St Merrillville, IN 46410-7124, US

NEW!!! Branko Choir Video

SSS Karageorge will be hosting SOCA Festival 2007. The festival will be held on June 1 -3, 2007. The Branko choir from Nis, Serbia will be our special guests. The concert will be Saturday afternoon, June 2, at the Merrillville High School Auditorium. A dinner banquet at our hall will be held following the Sunday June 3 Divine Liturgy. The Branko Choir will sing the Liturgy responses.

Choirs from the US and Canada will join us for the SOCA festival weekend, as we welcome them "Home to Indiana, the Crossroads of America". We encourage all singers to join our Karageorge Church Choir for this event and begin attending Tuesday evening practices.

Contact any choir member for more information. SOCA festival 2007 chairpersons are: Jolyn Rudman 219-464-3569 and John Derado 219-465-0171.

You can also visit the Lake County Convention & Visitors Bureau for information on the schedule of events.