Echoes of Ukraine

Echoes of Ukraine Choir founder Marta Osoba-Buttrose on the origins of the ensemble :

I was born in Australia to Ukrainian parents, who taught me to love my Ukrainian culture. I have always worked within the Ukrainian community, singing in a children’s choir, octets, quartets, mixed choir and women’s choir, dancing and playing a Ukrainian instrument, the bandura. 

When I moved to Perth I taught Ukrainian to children for 10 years and continue to serve as a councillor on the board of the Ukrainian Youth Association.

Echoes of Ukraine is a young choir borne out of a need to support people who have been displaced by the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Ukrainians are renowned for their love of culture, be it music, art, dance and Ukraine has also shown the world the strength and determination of its people.

Music brings together people of different ages and backgrounds and supporting people through different stages of their life’s journey.

To be able to support our new arrivals during this difficult time, even in this small way is my honour and privilege.

I was requested to find some singers for a fundraiser for Ukraine. It was daunting to organise something like this, however during the Twilight Market for Rotary Club a group of Ukrainians spontaneously started singing, therefore I took the opportunity and invited anyone who wanted to sing to come for a get together and from that call out, Echoes of Ukraine was borne.

Since then, the choir has participated in numerous festivals, rallies and concerts to bring awareness to the greater community of Ukraine, and it’s plight at this time.