Kir Stefan The Serb Choir’s History
ABOUT THE CHOIR
Kir Stefan the Serb Choir of Saint Sava Serbian Orthodox Church was established in Toronto in May 2000, by V. Rev. Vasilije Tomić, Jasmina Vučurović, conductor and Nada and Milan Dimitrijević, seasoned choral singers.
The Choir responds during Divine Liturgies at Saint Sava Church and has also performed in Toronto, Milton, Ottawa, Kitchener-Waterloo, Niagara Falls, Whitby, Hamilton, Richmond Hill and Windsor in Canada, Chicago, Boston, Portland, and New York in U.S.A., in London, Stockholm and Belgrade in Europe as well as in Acre (Akko), Nazareth, Jerusalem and Tel Aviv in the Holy Land – Israel.
With the blessings of His Grace Bishop of Canada kyr Georgije, the Kir Stefan the Serb Choir has been honoured and inaugurated as the official choir of the Serbian Orthodox Diocese of Canada in 2011.
On the occasion of its 20th anniversary, the Kir Stefan the Serb Choir received the Charter for Contribution to the Development of Cultural Activities in Serbia, while Jasmina Vučurović, our artistic director and Choir conductor, received the Golden Pin, both awarded by the Cultural and Educational Association of Serbia.
The Choir is named after the first known medieval Serbian composer Kir Stefan the Serb. The Choir’s mission, to be the ambassador of Serbian culture, has been accomplished through many performances.
2023
Participating in the Celebration of the National Day of the Republika Srpska and its Slava Saint Stefan, Serbian Centre, Mississauga
Responding during the Divine Liturgy celebrated by His Grace Bishop of Canada kyr Mitrofan and His Grace Bishop of Buenos Aires and South America kyr Kirilo, Saint Sava Church, Toronto
2020 - 2022 during COVID-19 pandemic
Participating in New Year’s Eve TV show with representatives of Serbian diaspora from Paris, Moscow, Chicago, Vienna, and Toronto with joint Zoom performance Rejoice Serbian people for TV Vojvodina, Novi Sad, Serbia
On the occasion of its 20th anniversary, the Kir Stefan the Serb Choir received the Charter for Contribution to the Development of Cultural Activities in Serbia, while Jasmina Vučurović, our artistic director and Choir conductor, received the Golden Pin, both awarded by the Cultural and Educational Association of Serbia.
In celebration of Choir’s 20th Anniversary articles are published in: “SAN” (Serbian Canadian Magazine), “Istocnik” (Herald of the Serbian Orthodox Church – Canadian Diocese) and “Pravoslavlje” (Newspaper of Serbian Patriarchate)
Interview with conductor and artistic director Jasmina Vučurović, on the occasion of Choir’s 20th Anniversary for Canadian-Serbian magazine “Slovo”
Interview with Choir’s president Milan Dimitrijević, on the occasion of Choir’s 20th Anniversary for YouTube channel “MI MAGAZIN”
Participating in Virtual Concert marking 80 years of Diplomatic Relationship between Belgrade and Ottawa (Serbia and Canada) under auspices of Embassy of Republic of Serbia in Canada
Participating in Great Virtual Gathering of Serbian Diaspora from Around the World of magazine “SAN” (Serbian Canadian Magazine) with panel discussion and three musical spots
Participating in 24th Festival of Spiritual Music “Choirs Among Frescos” in Belgrade with video spot – concert, published on YouTube channel of the Festival
2020
Participating in the Evening of Support to the Serbian Orthodox Church and its faithful people in Montenegro, for their efforts to protect orthodox shrines, SKUD “Oplenac” hall, Mississauga
2019
The 19th Annual Concert Music Knows No Borders, tribute to the Serbian composer, conductor, and musicologist Kosta P. Manojlović, on the 70th anniversary of his death, Trinity-St. Paul’s Centre, Toronto
Responding during the Divine Liturgy celebrated by Their Graces Bishops kyr Longin, kyr Georgije and kyr Mitrofan, The Holy Transfiguration Monastery, Milton
Responding during the Divine Liturgy celebrated by Their Graces Bishops kyr Mitrofan and kyr Teodosije, All Serbian Saints Serbian Orthodox Church, Mississauga
Participation in the celebration of 800 Years of Autocephaly of the Serbian Orthodox Church, Saint George Banquet Hall, Waterloo
Participation in fundraising “Serbian Food Festival”, Saint Sava Church, Toronto
2018
Responding during the Divine Liturgy celebrated by His Grace Bishop kyr Mitrofan, Saint Sava Church, Toronto
Responding during the Divine Liturgy celebrated by His Grace Bishop kyr Mitrofan, marking 25 years of Saint Arsenius of Srem Church, Whitby
The 18th Annual Concert Praise the Lord, St. Paul’s Basilica, Toronto
Participation in the celebration of the National Day of the Republic of Serbia and Saint Sava’s Academy Blessed Serbia, So Full of Love, Isabel Bader Theatre, Toronto
2017
Responding during the Divine Liturgy celebrated by His Holiness Serbian Patriarch kyr Irinej and His Grace Bishop kyr Mitrofan, on Slava of the Chapel Three Holy Hierarchs, The Holy Transfiguration Monastery, Milton
Responding during the Divine Liturgy celebrated by His Grace Bishop kyr Mitrofan, Palm Sunday, Saint Sava Church, Toronto
Responding during the Divine Liturgy celebrated by His Holiness Serbian Patriarch kyr Irinej and His Grace Bishop kyr Mitrofan, Diocesan Day, The Holy Transfiguration Monastery, Milton
Responding during the Divine Liturgy celebrated by His Grace Bishop kyr Mitrofan, Saint Sava Church, Toronto
Concert Sacred music, Serbian Orthodox Church of Saint Archangel Michael, Chicago, Lansing, Illinois, USA
The 17th Annual Concert Epitaph to Kir Stefan, St. Paul’s Basilica, Toronto
2016
Responding during the Divine Liturgy at the Enthronement of His Grace Bishop of Canada kyr Mitrofan, celebrated by His Holiness Serbian Patriarch Irinej and seven Bishops, All Serbian Saints Serbian Orthodox Church, Mississauga
The 16th Annual Concert Dedication. Stevan K. Hristić’s Requiem, “Dedicated to the victims who were killed or died during the national liberation and unification wars (1912-1918)” was performed in the first part of the concert, Eglinton St. George’s United Church, Toronto
Joint concert of Orthodox choirs An Evening of Orthodox Sacred Music, in the presence of His Holiness Serbian Patriarch kyr Irinej, Saint George Banquet Hall, Waterloo
Responding during the Divine Liturgy celebrated by His Holiness Serbian Patriarch kyr Irinej, Saint Sava Serbian Orthodox Church, Toronto
Participation in the book presentation “The Christian Heritage of Kosovo and Metohija: The Historical and Spiritual Heartland of the Serbian People”, by His Grace Bishop of Western America kyr Maksim, Trinity College Chapel, University of Toronto, Toronto
Participation in the Second Serbian Wine Festival in Windsor, Serbian Orthodox Church of Saint Demetrius, Windsor
Responding during the Divine Liturgy, Serbian Orthodox Church of Saint Demetrius, Windsor
2015
The 15th Anniversary Concert Among Frescoes, followed by the Rite of the Blessing of the Cake on Choir’s Slava Burning of the Relics of Saint Sava on Vračar, All Serbian Saints Serbian Orthodox Church, Mississauga
Responding during the Divine Liturgy, Presentation of the Lord, celebrated by His Grace Bishop kyr Mitrofan, The Holy Transfiguration Monastery, Milton
Participation in the celebration of the National Day of the Republic of Serbia, The Holy Transfiguration Monastery Library, Milton
Responding during the Divine Liturgy celebrated by His Holiness Serbian Patriarch kyr Irinej, The Holy Transfiguration Monastery, Milton
Concert of Orthodox sacred music, Concert Among Frescoes, Serbian Orthodox Church of Saint Demetrius, Windsor
Responding during the Divine Liturgy, Serbian Orthodox Church of Saint Demetrius, Windsor
2014
The Remembrance concert was the choir’s tribute to the foremost Serbian composer, Stevan St. Mokranjac, on the 100th anniversary of his death
Responding during the Divine Liturgy and Memorial Service on September 28, marking the 100th anniversary of the death of Stevan St. Mokranjac, Saint Sava Church, Toronto
Responding during the Vespers, Saint Archangel Gabriel, Richmond Hill
The 14th Annual Concert O Lord, Let Me Know My End, Eglinton St. George’s United Church, Toronto
Responding during the Divine Liturgy celebrated by His Grace Bishop kyr Georgije, on the Diocesan Day, The Holy Transfiguration Monastery, Milton
Joint concert with Ukrainian choirs Levada and Orion, Humber Valley United Church, Toronto
Responding during the Divine Liturgy celebrated by His Grace Bishop kyr Georgije, on the Renovation of the Church of Saint George (Djurdjic) Slava, The Holy Transfiguration Monastery, Milton
2013
Responding during the Divine Liturgy celebrated by His Grace Bishop kyr Georgije and participation in the Saint Sava’s Academy, Saint Sava Serbian Orthodox Church, Toronto
Participating at the 200th Birthday Anniversary of Bishop Petar II Petrović Njegoš celebration, MacLeod Auditorium, University of Toronto, Toronto
The 13th Annual Concert We Hymn Thee, Eglinton St. George’s United Church, Toronto
Joint concert with Ukrainian choir Shevchenko, Columbus Centre, Toronto
Responding during the Vespers, Saint Archangel Gabriel, Richmond Hill
Responding during the Divine Liturgy celebrated by His Grace Bishop kyr Georgije marking 60 years of the Blessing of Cornerstone of Saint Sava Serbian Orthodox Church, Toronto
Responding during the Divine Liturgy celebrated by His Grace Bishop kyr Georgije, The Holy Transfiguration Monastery, Milton
Responding during the Divine Liturgy celebrated by His Grace Bishop kyr Georgije, on the Renovation of the Church of Saint George (Djurdjic) Slava, The Holy Transfiguration Monastery, Milton
2012
Responding during the Divine Liturgy celebrated by His Grace Bishop kyr Georgije Mitrofan, on Slava of the Chapel of the Three Holy Hierarchs, The Holy Transfiguration Monastery, Milton
Responding during the Divine Liturgy on Easter Friday celebrated by His Holiness Serbian Patriarch kyr Irinej and Their Graces Bishops kyr Georgije and kyr Dositej, The Holy Transfiguration Monastery, Milton
The 12th Annual Concert The Most Beautiful Star, Koerner Hall, The Royal Conservatory of Music, Toronto
Sacred Music in the Holy Land concert tour in Israel
Responding during the Divine Liturgy, Orthodox Church Saint George, Acre (Akko)
Concert at the Church of Annunciation Mary’s Well, Nazareth
Concert at the Saint Alexander Nevsky Church, The Alexander’s House IOPS, Jerusalem
Responding during the Divine Liturgy celebrated by V. Rev. Vasilije Tomić, Saint Alexander Nevsky Church, The Alexander’s House IOPS, Jerusalem
The members of the Choir received the Blessing of His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem at the Patriarchate of Jerusalem
Concert at the family Schlesinger’s villa, Tel Aviv
Participating at the celebration of the blessing of the frescoes of All Serbian Saints Serbian Orthodox Church, Mississauga
Responding during the Vespers, All Serbian Saints Serbian Orthodox Church, Mississauga
Responding during the Divine Liturgy celebrated by His Grace Metropolitan kyr Amfilohije, Saint Sava Church, Toronto
2011
Participating at the first Serbian Flag Raising Ceremony, Legislative Assembly of Ontario, Queen's Park, Toronto
Releasing DVD of the Slavic Sacred and Traditional Music 10th Anniversary Concert at Koerner Hall from 2010, Toronto
Responding during the Divine Liturgy on Easter Friday celebrated by His Holiness Serbian Patriarch kyr Irinej and Their Graces Bishops kyr Georgije and kyr Dositej, The Holy Transfiguration Monastery, Milton
Responding during the Vespers, Saint Arsenius of Srem Church, Whitby
Responding during the Vespers, Saint Nicholas Church (Nash Road), Hamilton
Live interview with conductor and artistic director of the Choir Jasmina Vučurović at the promotion of „MI MAGAZIN“. The 10th Anniversary Concert at Koerner Hall was pronounced as the top event of 2010 in Serbian community by „MI MAGAZIN“, Palmerston Theatre, Toronto
Live interview with Milan and Nada Dimitrijević, president and secretary of the Choir, at the promotion of „MI MAGAZIN“. The interview was done on the occasion of the 10th Anniversary of the Choir, Palmerston Theatre, Toronto
The 11th Annual Concert Slavic Sacred and Traditional Music, Eglinton St. George’s United Church, Toronto
Live rehearsal and concert Did You Think It Was Easy to Sing In a Choir?, Culture Days, North York Central Library, Toronto
The World Music fundraising concert A Long Time Ago I Can Still Remember presenting popular music from Cuba, Spain, Italy, Greece and Serbia, Eglinton St. George’s United Church, Toronto
With the blessings of His Grace Bishop of Canada Georgije, the Kir Stefan the Serb Choir has been honoured and inaugurated as the official Choir of the Serbian Orthodox Diocese of Canada
2010
Recording and releasing of the CD Serbian Sacred Music, Toronto
Responding during the Vespers, Holy Trinity, Kitchener
The 10th Anniversary Concert Slavic Sacred and Traditional Music, Koerner Hall, The Royal Conservatory of Music, Toronto
Participation at the opening of The International Diaspora Youth Leadership Conference at The Westin Harbour Castle Hotel, Toronto.
Participation at the concert of The Romanos the Melodist Choir, Holy Trinity Church Hall, Kitchener
2009
Responding during the Divine Liturgy celebrated by His Grace Bishop kyr Georgije, The Holy Transfiguration Monastery, Milton
The 9th Annual Concert Orthodox Sacred and Serbian Secular Music, Eglinton St. George’s United Church, Toronto
Concert of Orthodox Sacred and Secular Music, Woodroffe United Church, Ottawa
Responding during the Divine Liturgy, Saint Stefan Church, Ottawa
Participation in the concert Teofilović Brothers at the Serbian Culture Days organized by the Consulate General of the Republic of Serbia, Eglinton St. George’s United Church, Toronto
2008
Concert of Orthodox Sacred Music, Saint Sava Serbian Orthodox Church, New York, USA
Responding during the Divine Liturgy, Saint Sava Serbian Orthodox Church, New York, USA
Sacred and Folk Music of Serbia, World Music Series concert, Canadian Opera Company, Richard Bradshaw Amphitheatre, Toronto
The 8th Annual Concert Orthodox Sacred and Serbian Secular Music, Eglinton St. George’s United Church, Toronto
2007
Responding during the Vespers, Saint Arsenius of Srem Church, Whitby
The 7th Annual Concert Orthodox Sacred and Serbian Secular Music, Eglinton St. George’s United Church, Toronto
Concert tour in Great Britain and Sweden
Concert of Orthodox Sacred Music, Saint Sava Serbian Orthodox Church, London, England
Responding during the Divine Liturgy, Saint Sava Serbian Orthodox Church, London, England
Concert of Orthodox Sacred Music, The Church of Saint Clare, Lutheran, Stockholm, Sweden
Concert of Orthodox Sacred Music, Sofia Church, Lutheran, Stockholm, Sweden
Responding during the Divine Liturgy on Easter Friday celebrated by His Grace Bishop kyr Dositej, Saint Sava Serbian Orthodox Church, Stockholm, Sweden
Concert of Serbian Sacred and Secular Music Tell Me the Story, Kosovo Field, The Holy Trinity Church, Kitchener
Participation in the book presentation “Serbia, the Golden Apple” at the Serbian Culture Days organized by the Consulate General of the Republic of Serbia, Toronto
Participation in the concert of “Saint Sava” Choir, Serbian Centre, Mississauga
2006
The 6th Annual Concert of Orthodox Sacred and Serbian Secular Music, Walter Hall, University of Toronto Faculty of Music, Toronto
Participation in the 41st S.O.C.A. Festival, Saint Archangel Michael Church, Toronto
Concert Celebrating 150th Anniversary of the Birth of Stevan St. Mokranjac, under the auspices of the Ministry of Culture and the Embassy of the Republic of Serbia, Confederation Hall, Parliament Building, Ottawa
Concert Celebrating 150th Anniversary of the Birth of Stevan St. Mokranjac, under the auspices of the Ministry of Culture and the Embassy of the Republic of Serbia, Adam Room, Fairmont Chateau Laurier hotel, Ottawa
Responding during the Divine Liturgy, Saint Stefan Church, Ottawa
Participation in the concert SCA Oplenac, Big Hall SCA Oplenac, Mississauga
2005
The 5th annual Concert of Orthodox Sacred and Serbian Secular Music, Arts and Letters Club, Toronto
Concert at the festival A Celebration of Serbian Music and Dance organized by MIT Organization of Serbian Students, Kresge Auditorium, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge (Boston), Massachusetts, USA
Responding during the Divine Liturgy celebrated by His Grace Bishop of Eastern America kyr Mitrofan, Saint Demetrius Serbian Orthodox Church, Portland, Maine, USA
Participation in the closing concert Sanja Ilić and Balkanika at the Serbian Culture Days organized by the Consulate General of the Republic of Serbia and Montenegro, Toronto Centre for the Arts, Toronto
Participation in the Concert of the Serbian Music and Dance with SKUD “Oplenac”, Living Arts Centre, Mississauga
Recording of OMNI Television TV show about Serbian heritage - Slava, Toronto and Milton
Fundraising dinner for the purchase of a piano for the Choir, Saint Sava Church, Toronto
2004
Participation in the gala concert Arise, Serbia, a bicentennial celebration of the creation of the modern Serbian state under the auspices of the Consulate General of the Republic of Serbia and Montenegro, Ford Centre for the Performing Arts, Toronto
The 4th annual Concert followed by the Rite of the Blessing of the Cake on Choir’s Slava Burning of the Relics of Saint Sava on Vračar, All Serbian Saints Serbian Orthodox Church, Mississauga
Opening of the multi-medial exhibition of the “Hilandar Monastery Panorama” by Universities of Oakland, New Zealand and Belgrade, Serbia and the Cultural Heritage Institute of Serbia, Robarts Library, University of Toronto, Toronto
Responding during the Divine Liturgy celebrated by His Grace Bishop kyr Georgije, The Holy Transfiguration Monastery, Milton
Concert of Orthodox Sacred Music, Saint Archangel Michael Church, Chicago, Lansing, Illinois, U.S.A.
Responding during the Divine Liturgy, Saint Archangel Michael Church, Chicago, Lansing, Illinois, U.S.A.
2003
The 3rd annual Concert followed by the Rite of the Blessing of the Cake on Choir’s Slava Burning of the Relics of Saint Sava on Vračar, Saint Sava Church, Toronto
Fundraising concert for the tour to Serbia, All Serbian Saints Serbian Orthodox Church, Mississauga
Concert tour in Serbia
Participating at the First Gathering of Serbian Choirs of Diaspora and Homeland “Vidovdan 2003”, as the only choir from North America, Temple of Saint Sava, Belgrade, Serbia
Signing of the Founding Charter of the Federation of Serbian Choirs at the White Palace of HRH Crown Prince Alexander II Karađorđević, Belgrade, Serbia
Participating at the celebration of Canada Day at the invitation of his Excellency, Mr. Donald McLennan, Ambassador, Canadian Embassy, Belgrade
Responding during the Divine Liturgy together with 550 participating choir members celebrated by His Holiness Serbian Patriarch kyr Pavle, His Grace Metropolitan of Montenegro and the Littoral kyr Amfilohije and His Grace Bishop of Zvornik-Tuzla kyr Vasilije, Temple of Saint Sava, Belgrade, Serbia
2002
The 2nd annual Concert followed by the Rite of the Blessing of the Cake on Choir’s Slava Burning of the Relics of Saint Sava on Vračar, Saint Sava Church, Toronto
Participating in the Consecration of the All Serbian Saints Serbian Orthodox Church, Mississauga
2001
The first performance of the Choir, participating in the Saint Sava’s Academy, Saint Sava Church, Toronto
The first responding during the Divine Liturgy on Easter Sunday, Saint Sava Church, Toronto
The 1st annual Concert followed by the Rite of the Blessing of the Cake on Choir’s Slava Burning of the Relics of Saint Sava on Vračar, Saint Sava Church, Toronto