Published Tuesday, February 4, 2003
kids in Belarus
Herald Staff Writer
Residents of Mercer County will have the opportunity to hear the world-renowned Krinichka Choir when they perform at Sharon High School.
The choir, from Minsk, Belarus, will perform a benefit concert at 7 p.m. Monday. The goal of the choir is to raise money for needy children of Belarus.
Carol Novosel, Sharon, is arranging the choir's stop in town as they travel between New York City and St. Louis. The choir previously visited the Shenango Valley during its June 1997 tour.
Mrs. Novosel said she has seen the choir perform several times and has been to visit them in Europe.
Money raised from the program, called From Kids to Kids, will go to orphanages, baby homes and institutions for chronically ill kids who have been affected by the Chernobyl nuclear tragedy.
Mrs. Novosel said she also visited some orphanages in Belarus and has seen the need.
The Krinichka Choir directs the money to the orphanages through Hope Express, a humanitarian organization in Belarus, she said.
The choir has performed in Poland, Bulgaria, Romania, Germany, Austria, the United States, Holland, Italy and England. They also have given a performance for Pope John Paul II at the Vatican.
The Krinichka Choir, made up of singers ages 16 to 25, will arrive in Sharon Sunday night. They will go to Billy's Black and Gold for an official greeting and dinner.
Fourteen local host families will take the singers home. They will perform Monday, and Tuesday they will have a chance to sleep in, do laundry and participate in some fun activities, Mrs. Novosel said.
The local Committee for Krinichka is headed by Ansambl Karavan and Mrs. Novosel.
The choir will perform Belarus folk, classical and spiritual music, as well as contemporary songs in many languages.
Tickets for the concert are $10 and will be available at the door.