Petro Kurylenko [Петро Куриленко], (b. June 25, 1900, in Ukraine; d. Jan. 23, 1995). For over 20 years, he directed the Koshetz Choir at Philadelphia’s St. Vladimir Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral, which under his leadership gained a national reputation for excellence. In the early 1970s, the choir was selected to sing the Christmas Liturgy for a broadcast to Ukraine over the Voice of America. Later, the NBC television station in Philadelphia featured the Koshetz Choir in a special program of Ukrainian Christmas carols. Before coming to St. Vladimir Cathedral in 1962, Professor Kurylenko directed at other churches. From sometime in the 1940s until 1957, he led the Lysenko Choir at Holy Ascension Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Passaic, NJ. After that, he directed from 1958 to 1961 at Philadelphia’s St. Mary Protectress (Pokrova). He is also credited as having founded the “Prometheus” Ukrainian Male Chorus in 1962. Petro Kurylenko retired from directing in 1982.
Timeline
ca. 1945-1957: Holy Ascension Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Passaic, NJ).
1958-1961: Pokrova (Philadelphia, PA).
1962: Founder of “Prometheus” Male Chorus.
1962-1982: St. Vladimir Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral (Philadelphia, PA).
Scores
Нині відпyскaєш (Lord, Now Let Thy Servant Depart)
Composer: A. Arkhangelsky.
Creator: P. Kurylenko.
Date created: n.d. (ca. 1960s).
Place: Philadelphia, PA.
Description: Hymn from Vespers.
