The Polish Singers Alliance of America concluded its 52nd International Convention on Sunday, May 28, 2023 with a Mass and Concert at Assumption Church in Buffalo. Fr. Walter Grabowski was the celebrant for the Mass on the Feast of Pentecost with Dr. Thomas Witakowski directing the Chopin and Kalina singing societies in leading the congregational singing.
A brief tour of Assumption Church, founded in 1888, followed the Mass, highlighting the Jozef Slawinski sgraffito decoration in the sanctuary of the church and the creative work of Swiatek Studios in melding Slawinski’s work with the glories of their replication of parts of the original 1914 decoration.
The highlight of the convention was the concert featuring the competition-
Mary Lou Wyrobek, PSAA president, said, "Having gathered three years late, delayed by COVID, it was very joyful to once again to sing again with our compatriots from the U.S. and Canada.
"The weather was beautiful and the social events were most enjoyable. And, singing together was magnificent."
The concert was sponsored by the Permanent Chair of Polish Culture at Canisius University.
Soloists included 2023 scholarship winners Mark Filatov, tenor, and Nicholas Kaponyas, accompanist, in an aria from Moniuszko’s Halka; music director Dariusz Ocetek in an aria from Moniuszko’s Straszny Dwor; 2022 scholarship winner, Melanie Bebak playing the Chopin Nocturne in G minor Opus 37, no. 1; Emma Ziskind, former accompanist and solo pianist of the Chopin Singing Society playing Chopin’s Scherzo #2, Opus 31, and 2021 scholarship winner Anna Pascucci performing Chopin’s Zyczenia.
General choral director of the alliance, David Zagorski of Philadelphia, with accompanist Maria Chomicka, led the combined choruses in Kleszczmy Rekoma (Clap Your Hands), Nie Lekajcie Sie (Be Not Afraid), Gustav Holst’s I Vow to Thee My Country, and the grand finale, Gora Piesn. Local artist, Dr. Thomas Witakowski directed De Revolutionibus, with narration by Fr. Benjamin Fiore, S.J. as part of the tribute to Copernicus.
Other events surrounding the convention included a competition held at the Buffalo Marriott Niagara Hotel on Saturday, where the Chopin Singing Society #187 of New Jersey placed first in the men’s category, the Marcella Kochanska Sembrich Female Chorus #321 of Philadelphia was first in the female category, followed by the Kalina Singing Society #221 of Buffalo, and the Jutrzenka Singing Society #226 of Brooklyn, and the Polonia Choir Society of Edmonton #332 placed first in the mixed category, followed by the Aria Chorus #303 of New Jersey, and the Chopin Singing Society #219 of Buffalo.
The Hejnal Singing Society #323 of Brooklyn and the Symfonia Choir #291 of Hamilton, Ontario also participated. The top-
Meetings for the good of the organization were held on Friday with delegates from ten choruses present. Elected to serve as officers for the next three years were David Zagorski, general choral director; Maria Lesniak, assistant choral director; Mary Lou Wyrobek, president; Gary Bienkowski, vice president; Frances Cirbus, treasurer; and Donna Serafin, general secretary. Mariusz Bryszkiewicz was re-
Social events included a Buffet/Cabaret on Friday, a Gala, featuring the Krakowiacy Dancers and Special Delivery Band in performance, and an awards brunch where 17 members were granted status as honorary members for their service to the Alliance, including local members, Geraldine Szemraj, Donna Serafin, and Theresa Krawczyk.
A total of 11 choirs and over 130 registrants participated in the Convention, originally planned for 2020, but delayed by Covid.
Convention organizers were Mary Lou Wyrobek, Gary Bienkowski, Frances Cirbus, Adrianne Kusmierczyk, Michele Cofield, Irene Kmiotek, Christine Witkowski, and Paul Wisniewski, with assistance from Theresa Krawczyk, Regina Hanchak, Christine Palczewski, and Sophie Hodorowicz-
