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Lira Ensemble
Zespół Lira
Lira Singers/Dancers/Symphony/Chamber Chorus/Children's Chorus
6525 N. Sheridan Road, #CH-LL
Chicago, IL 60626
http://www.liraensemble.com
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Contact:
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Lucyna Migała
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| Phone: |
773-508-7040 |
| Fax: |
773-508-7043 |
| Region: |
Chicago/Illinois |
| Scope: |
Multi-State |
| Year Organized: |
1965 |
| Legal Status:: |
Incorporated, Non Profit |
| State of Incorporation: |
IL |
| Incorporation ID: |
51048695 |
| Tax Exempt Status: |
501c3 - Religious, charitable, scientific, literary or educational purposes |
| Principal Focus: |
Arts/Cultural |
Mission Statement:
The mission of the Lira Ensemble is to bring the best of Polish Culture into American life, to help acquaint Polish Americans with the richness of their thousand-year-old heritage of music and dance, and to help other Americans learn about and appreciate Polish culture and traditions.
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History/Achievements:
The Lira Ensemble is the nation's only professional performing arts company specializing in Polish music, song, and dance. The name of the company, "lira," is the Polish word for "lyre," a traditional symbol of music. The Ensemble's five performing groups present the music of Poland, sung in the original language, and Polish folk and court dances, with narratives in English, so that all audiences can fully enjoy the presentations. The narratives tell about the music and dance presented, explain Polish traditions and customs, and give insights into Polish history and the Polish-American immigrant experience. Lira performances also include authentic American music, in order to introduce immigrant audiences to various aspects of American culture and to truly reflect Polish-American heritage.
The Lira Ensemble is unique in that the company performs all kinds of Polish music and dance, including popular and folk songs and dances, traditional court dances, as well as serious music -- Polish opera, ancient Polish music, sacred music, music of various historic periods, new music of Poland, works by Polish-American composers, and Polish compositions rarely heard in the United States.
THE LIRA COMPANY CONSISTS OF:
THE LIRA SINGERS, the female ensemble which is the core of the company, is made up of eight to fourteen young women, and is one of the few professional, fine arts female vocal groups in the Midwest. The Singers perform in authentic, colorful folk garb from various regions of Poland, in period gowns, or in traditional concert dress, depending on the music performed.
THE LIRA SYMPHONY is made up of sixty instrumentalists who accompany the Lira vocal groups at major concerts and also perform orchestral works. Members of the Lira Orchestra are some of the best instrumentalists in the Chicago area who also perform with major orchestras in the region, such as the Orchestra of the Lyric Opera and the Grant Park Symphony.
THE LIRA DANCERS is the nation's only professional dance company specializing in Polish folk and court dance. Created in 1994, the Dancers perform suites of dances from several regions of Poland in colorful, authentic costumes from these regions, as well as dances performed in the royal court and manor houses of Poland, presented in historically correct period costumes.
THE LIRA CHAMBER CHORUS consists of the female ensemble plus eight to twelve male singers. All singers employed by Lira are classically trained; nearly all hold music degrees, often masters degrees in music. Many are teachers of music; some are also members of the Chicago Symphony Chorus and the Chorus of the Lyric Opera of Chicago.
THE LIRA CHILDREN'S CHORUS - "Dzieci" was added in 1987 as a community chorus of boys and girls, ages 7 through 16. "Dzieci" is the Polish word for "children". The children receive vocal training and performance opportunities, singing Polish and American repertoire. Most members of the Children's Chorus come from families recently immigrated from Poland.
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| Last Fiscal Year End: |
6/30/2006 |
| Assets: |
$112,000.00 |
| Revenue: |
$537,988.00 |
| Sources of Revenue: |
Event/Services Fees |
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Personal Contributions/Bequests |
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Institutional/Government Grants |
| Annual Budget: |
$538,000.00 |
| Financial Statements Audited: |
Yes |
| Grants Previously Received: |
The National Endowment for the Arts
The Illinois Arts Council
The Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs |
| Projects For Volunteers: | Volunteers assist at concerts and events. |
Officers and Directors:
- Advisory Board Member - Richard Rodzinski
- Advisory Board Member - Wanda Wilk
- Co-Founder, Artistic Director and General Manager - Lucyna Migala
- Chairman - Donald Grabowski
- Vice Chairman - Frank A. Cizon
- Board Member - Maria Ciesla
- Board Member - Bernard J. Dobroski
- Board Member - Camille Einoder
- Board Member - Camille Kopielski
- Board Member - Eileen Mackevich
- Board Member - Lewis F. Matuszewich
- Board Member - Lucyna Migala
- Board Member - Jeanine T. Okonek
- Board Member - Mira Puacz
- Board Member - Matt L. Rodriguez
- Board Member - Eleanore Ryan
- Board Member - Bernard R. Tresnowski
- Board Member - Frances Wiet
- Leadership Board Chairman - Ernest Wish
- Leadership Board Member - Bishop Thad J. Jakubowski
- Leadership Board Member - Wayne Magdziarz
- Advisory Board Member - Margaret Burroughs
- Leadership Board Member - Wallace Ozog
- Leadership Board Member - Bishop Thomas Paprocki
- Leadership Board Member - Virginia Sikora
- Leadership Board Member - Maynard Wishner
- Artistic Advisor - Krzystof Penderecki
- Artistic Advisor - Henryk Gorecki
- Artistic Advisor - Daniel Pollack
- Artistic Advisor - Marta Ptaszynska
- Artistic Advisor - Stefan Stuligrosz
- Advisory Board Member - Grazyna Auguscik
- Advisory Board Member - L. Jessica Jagielnik
- Advisory Board Member - Ada Dziewanowska
- Advisory Board Member - Jan Lorys
- Advisory Board Member - Maria Lorys
- Advisory Board Member - Estelle Migala
- Advisory Board Member - Eloise Niwa
- Advisory Board Member - David Pituch
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Last Updated: 5/23/2007
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| | A Polish Musical Celebration at Heinz Hall Sun, 5/4/2008 The Lira Ensemble of Chicago - famous for concerts of Polish music, song, and dance across the US and Poland - will perform in Pittsburgh for the first time, on Sunday afternoon, May 4, 2008 at Heinz Hall:
“A Polish Musical Celebration”
on Sunday, May 4, 2008 at 3:30pm
at Heinz Hall, 600 Penn Avenue in Pittsburgh
This concert is presented in observance of May 3rd/Polish Constitution Day, which is similar to America’s Fourth of July. It celebrates the country’s first constitution signed in 1791, which was the first such document in Europe and second in the world, second only to the US Constitution, on which is it based in part. Therefore, May 3rd is the perfect Polish-American holiday and is the major civic holiday in the Polish-American community.
“A Polish Musical Celebration” features Polish patriotic music, music of Polish master composers: Frederick Chopin and Stanislaw Moniuszko; as well as spirited folk songs and dances from various regions of Poland, performed in colorful, authentic folk costumes.
The concert will be performed by the Lira Orchestra, Lira Singers, Lira Dancers and is narrated in English so that it will be enjoyed by all. The narrations explain the meanings and history behind the music and dance.
The Lira Ensemble is America’s only professional performing arts company specializing in Polish music, song and dance and is based at Loyola University Chicago as artist-in-residence. Lucyna Migala is artistic director and general manager of the company and narrates Lira concerts. Distinguished conductor Paul Dijkstra will lead the orchestra and singers. Lira’s choreographer and dance director is Iwona Puc.
Parking is available across from Heinz Hall for $6, at the Theatre Square Garage, autos enter the garage on 7th Avenue. Lira recordings as well as Polish crystal and folk art will be on sale in the lobby before the performance, at intermission, and after the concert.
Tickets for "A Polish Musical Celebration” range from $65 to $30. They may be purchased by calling The Lira Ensemble at 1-800-547-5472 (LIRA) or 773-508-7040; or by calling the Heinz Hall box office at 412-392-4900. They may also be purchased at www.pittsburghsymphony.org. Groups of 20 or more receive a discount of $5 off each ticket and half price tickets for children under age 16 are available in all price ranges by calling 412-392-4900.
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| Region: |
Pennsylvania - Western |
| Category: |
Performance; Screening |
| Location: |
Heinz Hall, 600 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA |
| Map URL: | www.pittsburghsymphony.org... |
| Cost: |
Tickets from $30 - $65 with discounts for children |
| Contact: |
Lucyna Migala |
| Phone: |
773-508-7040 |
| Email: | |
| Web: | www.liraensemble.com... |
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Chicago/Illinois
Concert of Polish Hymns, Patriotic and Folk Music (Sun, 4/18/2004)
(Performance; Screening)
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US Midwest (Non-Specific)
The Lira Singers Concert of Polish Music in Celebration of the 100th Anniversary of the St. Louis World's Fair (Sat, 5/1/2004 through Sun, 5/2/2004)
(Performance; Screening)
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Chicago/Illinois
CHILDREN PERFORM TO HONOR MAY 3RD - POLISH CONSTITUTION DAY The children's group "Lajkonik" Polish Song and Dance Ensemble and the Lira Children's Chorus will perform a free concert (Mon, 5/3/2004)
(Performance; Screening)
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Chicago/Illinois
BENEFIT CONCERT for POLISH STUDIES at LOYOLA UNIVERSITY (Sun, 5/16/2004)
(Performance; Screening)
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Chicago/Illinois
LIRA ENSEMBLE TRIBUTE TO VICTIMS OF 9/11 AND THE WARSAW UPRISING (Thu, 9/9/2004)
(Performance; Screening)
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Chicago/Illinois
The Lira Singers to Perform at Triton College (Sun, 2/27/2005)
(Performance; Screening)
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Chicago/Illinois
LIRA CONCERT of POLISH and AMERICAN ART SONGS, ARIAS and BROADWAY DUETS (Sat, 4/23/2005)
(Performance; Screening)
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Chicago/Illinois
LIRA ENSEMBLE TO PERFORM AT YOM HASHOAH HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL OBSERVANCE (Wed, 5/4/2005)
(Performance; Screening)
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Chicago/Illinois
LIRA ENSEMBLE PRESENTS POLISH HERITAGE CONCERT (Sun, 9/25/2005)
(Performance; Screening)
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Chicago/Illinois
"A Polish Christmas at Orchestra Hall - Carols, Chopin and More" (Sun, 11/27/2005)
(Performance; Screening)
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Press Releases and News - 6 Items Photos - 12 Items
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