The Register-Herald, Beckley, West Virginia

Local News

September 7, 2010

Kiev symphony seeking host homes

By Sarah Plummer Register-Herald Reporter

The Kiev Symphony Orchestra and Chorus plans on performing for a United Way benefit, but to keep the benefit affordable, the musicians are searching for area homes to host the performers.

The group of 100 conservatory-trained musicians hopes to perform at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 19 at Woodrow Wilson High School.

Ying Wei Mulready, who has been an instrumental tie between the Kiev Symphony and United Way, is hoping enough families will step forward to house the performers so the company may tour to this area.

Mulready wants potential hosts to know that “your hosting responsibility is less than 12 hours, from 9 p.m. on Sunday night through 8 p.m. on Monday. If you have a spare bedroom, then you can host.”

She also points out that throughout the symphony and chorus’ 10 tours of the United States, no incidents of theft of crime have ever occurred. The conductor and founder, Roger McMurrin, stated that the group’s goal is to “bring the gospel, through sacred music and Christian classics, to the Ukrainian people and to the entire world.”

Since the end of the USSR’s communist reign in Ukraine in 1991, Mulready said, the country has been allowed to practice Christianity freely. McMurrin saw a great need for Christian ministry in the country and founded Music Mission Kiev so the symphony could provide music and ministry, he confirmed.

Since the founding, McMurrin added, the ministry has helped provide education, spiritual guidance, music, housing and food to thousands of those in need throughout Ukraine. In keeping with the mission’s interest in arts enrichment, it will perform a free concert for students of Woodrow Wilson High School on Monday morning, Sept. 20.

By performing in West Virginia on Sunday night, it will assist United Way as it serves the counties of Raleigh, Fayette, Summers, Wyoming and Nicholas.

Hosts are still desperately needed, Mulready said, and you do not have to attend the concert to house the musicians. Mulready asks that if you are able to host one or more performers in your home, contact her at 304-763-7779 or e-mail her at Mulready@suddenlink.net.

— E-mail: splummer@register-herald.com

Text Only
Local News