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The first choir in Kansas City was
formed as an all female a cappella choir in 1939 under the
direction of Father Borah Petrovich and his son, Misha Petrovich.
The following year, Father Petrovich passed away, and Father
Dushan Milakov came to serve the Kansas City parish.
In 1952 Father Milakov became the choir
director and continued until his departure from the parish in
1956. For over 17 years, this
founding church choir sang at various church social events and
liturgical services.
In
March of 1956, the parish welcomed Father Milan Bajich and his
family to Kansas City. Father Bajich was instantly well received
by the parishioners. With his renowned musical talents, one of his
first duties he embraced was directing the choir. Father Bajich
used these talents and his excellent musical training he received
at the Sremski Karlovci Orthodox Seminary to reorganize the choir.
Just nine months after his arrival, the choir became a member of
the Serbian Singing Federation with the Holy Trinity Serbian Choir
from St. Louis, Missouri serving as their kumovi in November of
1956.
Proto Bajich retired as the parish priest in Kansas City in 1995
and announced his retirement as the choir director at the 58th
S.S.F. Choral Festival in Phoenix, Arizona in 1999. Kansas City
was blessed to have him as their spiritual leader of the church
and director of the choir for more than 40 years.
His commitment to the choir and the federation was acknowledge at
the 60th S.S.F. Choral Festival in Omaha, Nebraska in
2001, where he was presented with the +Adam N. Popovich Directors’
Award. Proto Milan Bajich continued to be an active member of the
choir and church until his passing in 2004.
Over the past 50
years, the S.S.S. St. George has been honored to participate as a
guest choir in many Serbian communities across the United States
and Canada. The choir has made many close friendships through
their participation in these various S.S.F. events, but no bond is
stronger than their friendship with their neighboring choir the
S.S.S. St. Nicholas of Omaha, Nebraska. Many trips have been made
between these two cities over the years in order to support and
participate in each other’s annual fall concert weekends.
The St.
George Choir is very active in the Greater Kansas City community,
having taken part in the Mayor’s Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony
several years, performing in numerous local concerts, and
representing the country of Serbia at the Annual Kansas City
Ethnic Enrichment Festival since its creation almost 30 years ago.
Their
current Choir Directors are Peter M. Bajich and Dmeter Dragovich.
Their current Choir President is Brad Hijaz. |
