WARD — If you are from Eastern Europe, know the music of Eastern Europe, have lived in Eastern Europe, or love music from around the world, it would have been impossible not to be moved and even brought to tears during Planina’s concert in Ward on July 11.

The voices, harmonies, and rhythms were so powerful that one did not have to know the languages to feel the power of the music. 

Planina is a mixed chorus of singers and instrumentalists from the Boulder-Denver area. They have been performing since 1988. They perform traditional and contemporary music from many Eastern European countries including, but not limited to, Bulgaria, Croatia, Lithuania, Macedonia, Ukraine, Russia, and music from Romani people. 

The song "Porushka, Paranya" from the village of Afanasievka, in the Belgorod region in Russia being performed.

Photo by Sara Sandstrom

Throughout their almost 40 years of music Planina’s mission has been “To bring joy to and educate our audiences and ourselves, and to enrich the community, through singing and playing the music of Eastern Europe in a way that does justice to the beauty of this music.” 

Maitreyi Prajna, a Ward resident, has been singing in Planina for eight years. She was instrumental in getting the group to come to Ward to perform. 

Prajna and her sisters were part of a local Croatian-American children’s ethnic folk group in Cleveland, Ohio, when they were kids. The Cleveland Junior Tamburitzans sang traditional folk songs, played traditional instruments, and performed dances.

When speaking about joining Planina, Prajna said, “I wanted to sing the ethnic music of my childhood, those lush harmonies and the full sound stayed with me to that point that I longed to return to it. I have stayed with Planina for so many years because of the high musical caliber and the group community privilege of being a member and the joy of sharing this music with audiences and the local community.”

Prajna has a passion for the oral tradition through song. “The stories it tells of relationships, ways of worship, living in harmony with nature and community. I love the sound of the music and harmonies. I love sitting in a circle with folks each week and singing together. It’s good for my mental health.”

One of the original members and director of the group Julie Lancaster admitted she was hesitant to come to Ward at 9,450 feet in altitude to sing. It was very warm in the Union Congregational Church and their authentic traditional clothing from different Eastern European countries was, I am sure, warm as well. At the same time, the audience was extremely welcoming and actively participating in the program. Planina was pleased they made the trip to Ward. 

Having lived in two Slavic countries, I found the music to be like going home. The voices, the syncopation, and rhythms that are unique to this area of the world touched a piece of my heart that I had not felt in a number of years. 

One song that was particularly stunning was “Chaje, Shukarije.” This is a Macedonian Romani song written by Esme Redžepova. In 2010 NPR named Redžepova one of the world’s 50 greatest voices. 

The Romani people live all over the world with little recognition because of the deep discrimination and prejudice they face. Redžepova along with her husband Stevo Teodosievski were cultural and humanitarian changemakers as they sang in the Romani language on radio and TV. 

Planina’s assistant director Valerie Brown sang “Chaje, Shukarije” and on accordion was Petar Teodosijev. Teodosijev is Redžepova's and Teodosievski’s nephew and he is a member of Planina. 

Another exceptionally poignant song was “Oi, Tam Na Hori” which translates from Ukrainian to English as “Oh, There on the Hill.” It is a Ukrainian folk song that speaks to Ukrainians' connection to nature.

The last song of the evening had the audience out of their seats and dancing.

Photo by Sara Sandstrom

The concert ended with all in attendance participating in a Russian song and dance game and then a Serbian song where everyone danced in a circle around Teodosijev as he played the accordion. It was loud, there were many smiles, and the room was full of joy. 

The members of Planina say that they are “drawn to the penetrating harmonies, asymmetric rhythms, gorgeous melodies, and challenging vocal techniques of this music.” Their love for this music comes out in every note they sing and play. It then spreads into the audience and you cannot help but be in awe of each person’s talent and dedication to the musical culture of Eastern Europe.  

For more information about Planina visit planina.org.