Please join us for choir practice this Thursday, April 11th. This is a new beginning for Karageorge, our wonderful choir, who will host this year's annual SOCA Festival in early June. NEW MEMBERSHIP is encouraged - parents and children welcome, 5th GRADERS and older! Practice THURSDAY April 11th and every Thursday at 6:30 p.m. in the north wing conference room. Let's recruit those young voices, and teach a new generation the joy of our music! S.S.S.Karageorge will also celebrate their 100th Anniversary during this same weekend!

45th ANNUAL S.O.C.A. FESTIVAL

June 3, 4, & 5, 2011

New Gracanica Monastery, Grayslake, IL

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Friday

Afternoon Welcome Desk at the Comfort Suites, Grayslake, IL
6 :00 p.m. Vesper Services – New Gracanica Monastery
7:30 p.m. Liturgical Concert – New Gracanica Monastery
Stevan Stojanovic Mokranjac Choir, OHR, N. Chicago, IL
Otpuscajesci & Opelo (part of Requiem)
Stevan Mokranjac Choir, Hamilton, Ontario
Bogorodice Djevo & Tebe Pojem

8:30 p.m. Welcome Social/Dance – Camp Hall
Admission: $10.00 • 12 & under free
• Mismo Tambura Band from Merrillville, IN
• Dinner & Bar

Saturday, June 4

1:00 p.m. Festival Concert – New Gracanica
7:00 p.m. Dance – New Gracanica

THE ANNUAL SOCA BANQUET WILL BE ON SATURDAY, JUNE 4TH WITH THE DANCE FOLLOWING IMMEDIATELY AFTER.

Dance Only Admission: $15.00 • 12 & under free
Sloboda Band from Milwaukee, IL
• Mismo Tambura Band from Merrillville, IN
• Bar open all night, food & refreshments available

Sunday, June 5

10:00 a.m.
Holy Liturgy – Mass Choir – New Gracanica

• 50/50 Draw Winner Announced

ONE LOVE SERBIAN SONG - JEDNA LJUBAV SRPSKA PESMA Chorus performed their theme song flawlessly and set the tone for an incredible concert weekend. The combined choirs of S.S.S. Branko Radichevich and Stevan Stojanovic Mokranjac planned an event that will be remembered for years to come. With 30 choirs in attendance, everything from housing to the Ad Book was done in perfect detail. A casual idea of combining all the choirs and performing together became a dream come true for the organizers. It wasn't easy, but they made it happen by working together for 2 years. Congratulations to all volunteers, organizers, and singers for their outstanding efforts. Enjoy a sampling below, and as soon as the professionally edited complete Concert CD and DVD are available for sale, we'll let you know how to purchase these items.

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Young voices filled the room and our hearts with songs. The next generation of singers has reassured us that we will not lose our musical traditions. The junior choirs stole the show during the concert and brought many in the audience to cheers and tears. Congratulations to the Mass Junior Chorus and Junior Brankies for sharing their talents.

Below is just a sampling of the Sunday concert. As soon as they are available, we will let you know how to purchase the professionally produced complete Concert CD and DVD.

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Good things do come in three's; three choirs of course. Aleksa Shantich from South Bend, SSS St. Elijah and SSS Karageorge, both from Merrillville, were directed by Milan Medich of South Bend. We all know how much fun they had at practice, especially at Nick and Melanie Sever's house. The historic ONE LOVE SERBIAN SONG Festival did much more than unite choirs for 3 days of fabulous music to warm our hearts. It brought new friendships and hopes for future generations of singers as we witnessed the children's choirs. This event was so well planned and we congratulate both parishes for their hard work and hospitality.

Below is just a sampling of the Sunday concert. As soon as they are available, we will let you know how to purchase the professionally produced complete Concert CD and DVD.

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It was OCE NAS like you've never heard it before at the start of Saturday's concert and once again Sunday as performed by St. Elijah's Church Choir from Aliquippa, Pennsylvania.  Enjoy this sampling of the ONE LOVE SERBIAN SONG combined choir festival performances. Very soon we will let you know how to purchase the professionally edited CD and DVD. To share this blog, simply click on the blog title: it is a permanent link and will turn blue. Now copy and paste the URL from your address bar and send it in an email or link on your Facebook.

RENAISSANCE SUITES HOTEL
Registration Area for Badge Pick-Up: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Badges can be picked up after this time at Holy Resurrection Church, 3062 W. Palmer Square

HOLY RESURRECTION CHURCH (3062 W. PALMER SQUARE, CHICAGO)
Vespers: 5:30 p.m.
Concert: 6:30 p.m.

Welcome Dance: 8:00 - 12:00 p.m.
Entertainment: Sumadija Orchestra indoors in the main hall & Prazna Flasa Tambura of Milwaukee in the outside tent

Lake Michigan's Ogden Dunes shore on a rainy Sunday afternoon - could this be choir practice? Nick and Melanie Sever opened their home and hearts once again to host a practice session for the combined choirs of Merrillville and South Bend, Indiana. Two different time zones and up to 90 minutes of travel can't discourage this group. St. Elijah Cathedral Choir, Aleksa Shantich Choir, and S.S.S. Karageorge will perform together for the first time at the upcoming "One Love" Choir Festival in Chicago. Two hours of intense practice were followed by a little kolo dancing, great food, and lots of hugs and kisses. Oh, yes, and John Japa's homemade goulash was incredible. New friendships are the best result of this combined effort. If you have the opportunity to participate next year, you certainly won't regret it.

Steve Baroevich, Dan Orlich, Mike Jaksich, and Nick Sever accompany the choir on their tamburas........Thanks, guys!

(Click photo to enlarge)

Full-time deda, part-time choir director, Milan Medich is obviously very loved!

Milan Medich from South Bend will direct the combined choirs for this year's "One Love" historic festival in Chicago. Choirs from St. Elijah, Karageorge, and South Bend have started practicing on Sundays after church. March 14th practice will be at St. Sava in Merrillville at 2 pm and Sunday March 21st will be in South Bend  at 2 pm Central Standard Time. Almost 50 singers came to last Sunday's practice at St. Elijah. Be sure to join soon if you want to participate.

Don't miss this historic weekend of Serbian music for the heart and soul. Both SOCA and SSF singers will perform concerts in the Chicago area to celebrate their religious and cultural roots and will join together nightly for zabavas. Mark your calendars because you won't want to miss this special weekend!

Dates: Friday, Saturday, Sunday-May 28, 29, 30, 2010

Location:  Chicago, Illinois

Shared Locations:  Palmer Square  AND Redwood Drive

Friday:  Vespers @ Palmer Square 5:30 P.M.

Concert @ Palmer Square 6:30 P.M.

Dance @ Palmer Square 8:00 P.M.

Saturday: Concert @ Redwood Drive

Cocktail Attire Dinner @ Redwood Drive 6:30-8:30 P.M.

Zabava @ Redwood Drive 9:00 P.M.-1:00 A.M.

Sunday:  Liturgy @ Palmer Square 9:30A.M. and  Redwood Drive 10:00 A.M.

Concert @ Hotel 1:30-5:00 P.M.

Zabava @ Redwood Drive 5:30 P.M.

This logo was a collaboration of ideas from the committee. The graphic designer was Boban Markovic. He did a great job!

Daniella Mancich and Karen Christoff have shared their photographs from this past festival in Clearwater, Florida. Makes you want to join choir, doesn't it?  Thanks, girls!

VUKOVICH, John George - Suddenly on Tuesday, June 16, 2009 in his 55th year, passed away. Born Nov 6, 1954 in Niagara Falls, Ontario. Beloved husband of Sylvia for 34 years. Loving father of Melissa, Michael, and David. Will be sadly missed by his mother Margaret (his late father Dmitar “Mike“) Vukovich, and sisters Lynda Frazer and Diane Manojlovich. John was the Director of the Stevan Mokranjac Choir at St. Nicholas Serbian Orthodox Church, Barton St. Hamilton.


At an early age John followed his father's footsteps and sang in the church choir. He later became the choir director for the St George Serbian Church in Niagara Falls. In 1996 he came to the Stevan Mokranjac and took the position of director. He was dedicated and commited to his choir, church and faith. The number  of people who attended his funeral and the mass choir united together, was testimony to that. We all know that John is now a part of God's heavenly choir. May the all-merciful God shine
His grace upon His servant John in the sweetness of paradise. May he grant John forgiveness, salvation, rest and eternal joy in His kingdom. May his memory be eternal -

Vecnaja Pamjat.

Text Submitted by Nada Pavlovic

After a day at the beach or pool, choir members enjoyed a casual dinner cruise aboard the StarLite Majesty. The Gulf Coast is famous for dramatic sunsets, and Friday evening was no exception. The sunburned singers danced the night away; kolos, cacak, electric slide, and slow dancing. Amazingly, they all made it to the concert Saturday in time. These photos were provided by Jelena Mulin.........Thanks! More photos have been submitted by Daniella Mancich and Karen Christoff, and will be up in a couple days. Check back soon.

The Main Event was the SOCA Festival Concert hosted by St. George Church in Clearwater, Florida on Saturday, June 13th at noon. The Sunshine State host parish worked very hard to prepare for this unforgettable concert. Each choir director took a turn directing the mass choir anthems and various songs. This year's musical selection for the mass choir was "St. George Troparion", directed by Mr. John Vukovich from Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.The following choirs participated in this year's festival program:

Stevan Mokranjac Choir, Hamilton, Canada, John Vukovich, Director

St. Sava Choir, St. Petersburg, Florida, Emil Esapovich, Director

S.S.S. Karageorge, Merrillville, Indiana, Kim Simic, Kathy Baroevich, Directors

St. Archangel Michael, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, Petar Drobac, Director

Draza Mihajlovich Choir, Cudahy, Wisconsin, Karen Wortchow, Director

Stevan Mokranjac/Branko Radicevich, Chicago, Illinois, Elizabeth Neskow, Director

Very Rev. Father John Todorovich, President Zoran Milic, Dobrinka Milic, Kolo Sisters, Peter Puhar, and the membership of St. George Church were gracious hosts, and provided everyone with a wonderful lifelong memory. Thanks for hosting this special weekend in beautiful, sunny Florida.

Thanks once again to Jelena Mulin for the wonderful pictures!

Mirko Roknich Orchestra provided non-stop music for dancing and plenty of sing-alongs. Several rounds of "Mirjanaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa" were heard across town, as is the case when Joey Puhar and friends are in the house. As seen in the photos, everyone had a wonderful time visiting with old friends and making new ones. Check back for more pictures soon.

Click the small thumbnail photo once to enlarge; then once you're on Photobucket, click it again for a full screen view. Photos can be purchased on Photobucket and picked up at Target. (Saturday photos by Jelena Mulin. Thanks, Jelena!)

Sunday, June 14th marked the final day of this year's SOCA Festival. The combined choirs sang responses for Divine Liturgy at St. George Serbian Orthodox Church in Clearwater, Florida, where Father John is now parish priest. Several visiting clergy also celebrated Divine Liturgy and were overwhelmed by the beautiful voices. The banquet was well attended and everyone got a taste of Dobrinka and friends' wonderful cooking. Click the small thumbnail photo once to enlarge, then once you're on Photobucket, click it again for a full screen view. Photos can be purchased on Photobucket and picked up at Target. (Sunday photos by Peter Mulin, Thanks, Peter!)

The host parish from St. George Church in Clearwater, Florida arranged an elegant dinner cruise on the Starlight Majesty out of Clearwater Beach. Looks like everyone enjoyed some kolo dancing and a breath-taking sunset. It's nice to see Karageorge members take a well-deserved break. Several choirs are in attendance, one from as far away as Hamilton, Canada. Thanks to Jelena Mulin for sending these great photos. Check back daily for more pictures of events.

Several important events will take place this busy weekend both at St. Sava and St. George in East Chicago. Most importantly, the annual "Mothers Against Hunger" Humanitarian Banquet and find-raiser is your chance to support the efforts of the 4 Kolos. This year's banquet will be hosted at St. George Church in East Chicago at 1:00 p.m. Entire funds raised will directly benefit  orphans, sick, and elderly in Serbia and Kosovo. Our 4 Kolos join together and are committed to making a difference in the lives of helpless children and families still suffering the effects of war. Father Marko will make every effort to end services and Parastos for Bishop Peter by noon or shortly after, allowing everyone ample travel time to attend the banquet. If you cannot attend, please send a donation to any of the 4 participating churches or through a Kolo Member.

S. S. S. Karageorge is hosting the Serbian Orthodox Choral Association (SOCA) Convention daily Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. A small group of representatives will attend meetings in the south wing both days and conclude Sunday. Karageorge will sponsor the Sunday Luncheon after Divine Liturgy and Parastos. If you cannot attend the Humanitarian Banquet, please stay and enjoy the luncheon and support our choir.

Father Tom Kazich and Father Marko will hold 20 Year Parastos for our dear Bishop Peter during Services in place of the sermon, allowing everyone to travel to East Chicago in time for the Banquet. Father Tom will also be guest teacher for our Sunday School.

The Serbian Historical Society will Exhibit a collection of Bishop Peter's personal photographs and items donated by Father Tom Kazich. This memorial tribute will honor our very special "Father" Peter's memory of his ordained life, friendships, and travels. The exhibit  will be on display in the south wing every Sunday through October 19th, so that everyone will have an opportunity to view it.

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...