Ukrainian Village Voice

Kosa Community
Folk Choir

The Kosa Choir is Toronto based chamber folk ensemble made up of 10-14 singers, studying and performing the traditional polyphonic songs of Ukraine.

Our repertoire spans ritual and lyrical songs marking the cycle from spring to fall—songs once essential to the well-being of rural communities, filled with striking intensity and deep cultural purpose.

“The power of these songs goes beyond any one culture, any one heritage. When you hear them, you feel the sorrow of the people who made them, their strength to survive—it infuses you with hope for the future.”

Andrea Kuzmich

Then
and now.

The Kosa Choir grew out of the Kosa Kolektiv founders’ passion for traditional Ukrainian polyphonic singing, based in villages and in land-based rituals and practices. For years they ran singing workshops and facilitated singing groups for Christmas carolling (Koliada) and spring rites (Haivky).

In October 2023, Kosa finally formalised the community singing into a choir!

Since then we have hosted two big fundraising performance for Ukraine, as well as performed at festivals, fundraisers, community events and pop-up community singing activities around Kosa’s usual Winter and Spring carolling activities!

After two years of sharing and developing gorgeous and powerful repertoire, and expanding our knowledge of vocal techniques of traditional Ukrainian singing, we are changing things up for the fall / winter season of 2025.

This season, the choir will be sharing repertoire for the Kosa Carolling troupe with UofT students and beyond as part of the Talking Walls exhibition, marking the 15th anniversary of Kosa Kolektiv.

We will be hosting rehearsals every TUESDAY starting November 4th from 7:00 - 9:00 PM at Hart House.

For more info, and to register, click here!

What I need to know

  • The only experience needed to join is the ability to sing in harmony and the willingness to learn!

    • Songs to be taught by ear, as sheet music will not always be provided.

    • Lyrics will be provided in Cyrillic for Ukrainian speakers, and transliterated for English speakers.

  • Besides learning the repertoire, singers will undergo regular technical development of vocal and choral technique such as: 

    • Developing a bright timbre with the chest and blended voice.

    • Use of extended vocal techniques that combine ornaments, yips, hollers and slides. 

    • Applying distinct inflections, phrasings, and regional dialects of Ukrainian songs

    • Blending and ear-training exercises to improve tone and intonation.

  • YES! The Kosa Carolling troupe (Kosa Koliadnyky) visit local businesses, and are invited to events and into private homes around the city to share traditional Ukrainian carols and blessings, and even bringing a symbolic Koza (goat) to spread joy and prosperity during the Christmas and New Year season.

KOSA CHOIR AT YOUR EVENT

For over a decade, Kosa singers have been called upon to perform in all sorts of event—from movie premiers and weddings, to church events and festivals—and of course, one of our most beloved singing traditions, Koliada: carolling house to house for Ukrainian Christmas and New Year. Now with the choir being formalized, we are even more excited to animate a variety of spaces with the spirited and authentic sounds of Ukraine. If you are interested in having our Kosa Choir at your event, please reach out to us at kosasinging@gmail.com