Short Biography

14 October 1811 - the beginning of the creative activity of the Black Sea Military Choir (the predecessor of the Kuban Cossack Chorus). The Choir was organized by the cultural enlightener of Kuban Province, father Kirill Rossinsky and director of a church choir Grigory Grechinsky

In 1811 the Black Sea Choir changed its name for the Kuban Military Choir. Since then, apart from taking part in church services, it was regularly giving public performances in which, along with religious music, Kuban folk songs and classical pieces were included.

In September 1911 the centennary of the Chorus was celebrated.

In the summer 1921 the Chorus's activity was suspended by the Bolshevik authorities.

1925-1932. In this period the Kuban men's quartet headed by Alexander Avdeev was actively performing over Kuban Province. This was the only professional folk group in the region. Its repertoire consisted mainly of popular folk songs from the repertoire of the Kuban Military Choir.

1929 - Alexander Avdeev, the first leading singer of the Kuban Cossacks" anthem "You, Kuban, You Are Our Motherland" and the leader of the Kuban men's quartet was unjustly arrested and put to death.

July 25, 1936 - By the Decree of the Executive Committe of the Azov-Black Sea Region the Kuban Cossack Chorus was re-created. It was headed by Grigory Kontsevich (art director) and Yakov Taranenko (conductor) both of whom had been the choir masters of The Kuban Military Choir

1937 - The art director of the Chorus, an outstanding Kuban musician Grigory Kontsevich was unjustly arrested and on December 12 was executed by a firing squad.

1939 - In connection with addition of a dance group to the Chorus, it was renamed into the Song and Dance Ensemble of Kuban Cossacks

1961 - On the initiative of the Prime Minister Nikita Khruschev, the Song and Dance Ensemble of Kuban Cossacks together with all the rest 10 state folk ensembles and choruses of the Soviet Union, was disbanded.

1968 - Kuban Cossack Chorus together with the other state folk choruses is revived. Art director - Serguey Chernobay .

1971 - Kuban Cossack Chorus for the first time becomes a laureate of the International Folk Festival in Bulgaria.

October 14, 1974 - Victor G.Zakharchenko is appointed art director of Kuban Cossack Chorus

December 1975 - Kuban Cossack Chorus became the winner (Grand Prix) of the First All-Russia Contest of Russian state folk choruses in Moscow.

Summer 1980 - the Chorus becomes a Diploma holder oа the Intarnational Folk Festival in France.

October 1988 - by the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR the Chorus is awarded the Order of Peoples' Friendship

March 1990 - the Chorus is awarded the State Prize of Ukraine

1993 - the Chorus is awarded the honorary title of "Academic"

August 1995 -Patriarch Alexy of Moscow and All Russia gives his blessing to Kuban Cossack Chorus for singing at church services on holidays.

October 1996 - The decree of the Governor of Krasnodar Region is issued "On recongnition of the State Kuban Cossack Chorus as a successor (historical) of the Kuban Cossack Army Military Choir".