A refreshing spin on traditional seasonal choral music… thoroughly marvelous!
— NATIONAL PUBLIC RADIO

Few things evoke the magic of the winter holidays as the transcendent splendor of the human voice. Kitka has researched and discovered a treasure trove of seasonal music from a wide variety of Eastern European ethnic and spiritual traditions. Wintersongs showcases material ranging from rousing Slavic folk carols to lush, meditative Eastern Orthodox sacred choral works... from pre-Christian incantations for the longest nights of the year to Medieval Sephardic Chanukah songs to original new pieces inspired by the beauty and mystery of wintertime.


highlights from Kitka’s Wintersongs program

Wintersongs Highlights - as broadcast for virtual 2020 presentation: “In lieu of their beloved annual Wintersongs concert tour, we have worked with Kitka to curate a selection of newly produced music videos and highlights from previous Wintersongs performances at Old First Concerts.”

Wintersongs Concert highlights 2018

An early 19th century Moravian carol from the Frantichek Sushil Collection. From the repertoire of Iren Lovasz. Arrangement by Lily Storm. "There was a road trod-upon. Who walked upon it? The mother of our Lord Christ. St. Elizabeth passed by her. 'Where are you going, my sister?'

From Wintersongs 2021 at Freight and Salvage, Berkeley, CA: A festive round dance from the Northwestern mountains of Georgia with a text consisting entirely of what some consider nonsense words (worera, voisa-rera, dila-wadila). Others believe this songs' lyrics contain remnants of archaic texts associated with pre-Christian pagan rituals honoring cosmic deities.

A Playful Bulgarian Countdown Song for Christmas Eve

Go behind the scenes with Kitka Women's Vocal Ensemble as they rehearse and perform some of their Wintersongs favorites - live on the waterfront in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Go behind the scenes with Kitka Women's Vocal Ensemble as they rehearse and perform some of their Wintersongs favorites - live on the waterfront in the San Francisco Bay Area.

This melody has been widely sun throughout Belarus for generations.  Traditionally, wandering puppet theatre groups performing religious plays at Christmas time were accompanied by this song.  "A new joy appeared, such as never had been known before!  Above the stable, dawn's bright light shone."


Evening Star Album (follow up to Wintersongs)

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the Wintersongs album

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Please note, the program above is being offered for Kitka's 2018-19 and 2019-20 seasons. Additional ethnically specific and/or collaborative programs are also available by special arrangement. Kitka also offers a variety of community outreach activities including vocal workshops, choral masterclasses, community sings, lecture-demos, K-12 assembly programs, open rehearsals, pre-concert talks and more.

We would be delighted to discuss ways to engage your communities more deeply in Kitka's work.

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