Shchedryk

"Shchedryk" is a New Year song, written by Ukrainian composer Mykola Leontovych in 1914, based on old folk chants. The Ukrainian National Chorus introduced it to the US with a performance at Carnegie Hall in 1919. Peter J. Wilhousky gave it English lyrics and made it "Carol of the Bells" in the 1930s. Recently, the Shchedryk Children Choir traveled to New York to once again perform the song at Carnegie Hall, 103 years after that first US performance. It wasn't easy pulling the choir together after so many had been evacuated, but it was quite meaningful to them. And to us.