Julius Dobra [Юлій Добрa], (b. February 26, 1881, in Czechoslovakia; d. March 27, 1944, in Hazleton, PA). Carpatho-Rusyn cantor, choir director, and church organist of the early 20th century. Julius Dobra was born in 1881 in Czechoslovakia, which at that time was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. He immigrated to America in 1906 and settled in Passaic, New Jersey, where from 1907 to 1916 he led the choir at St. Michael’s Greek Catholic Church. Afterwards, he spent time at several of the Rusyn parishes in Pennsylvania. He was at St. Mary’s in Mahanoy City from 1916 to about 1920. During the 1920s, he was at St. John the Baptist in the Pittsburgh suburb of Homestead (now Munhall). Finally, from 1930 to 1944, he served at St. John the Baptist in Hazleton, Pennsylvania, where he passed away on March 27, 1944, at the age of 63. He is buried in St. John’s Byzantine Catholic Cemetery.
Timeline
1906: Came to America.
1907-1916: St. Michael’s GCC (Passaic, NJ).
1916-1920: St. Mary’s GCC (Mahanoy City. PA).
1920-1930: St. John the Baptist GCC (Homestead, PA (now Munhall)).
1930-1944: St. John the Baptist GCC (Hazleton, PA).
Scores
Sviata Liturgia (Divine Liturgy).
Composer: Various.
Creator: perhaps Julius Dobra.
Date created: ca. 1920s.
Place: perhaps Munhall, Pennsylvania.
Description: Liturgical choral music.
