Sask. musicians release song to mark one year of war in Ukraine

Two Saskatchewan musicians are showing support for Ukraine one year after it was invaded by Russia.

Steve Chivilo and Joel Grundahl wrote and recorded a song entitled “Ukraine The Brave.”

Chivilo told CKOM Morning Show host Mark Loshack that Grundahl wrote the melody of the song “after watching so much of the devastation (in Ukraine) on television.”

The tune — a “short, hymn-like, anthem-like melody” — had lyrics penned by Chivilo put to it quickly.

Chivilo said it was “just an idea that turned into … a project for us to try and do something to participate in helping in the war.”

Members of a choir in California who sang in “Ukraine the Brave.” (YouTube/Screenshot)

With Saskatchewan home to so many Ukrainian people and the devastating war happening in their home country, Chivilo said the project was an important one.

“You feel so helpless sometimes … Your life goes on but you see what’s happening all around you,” Chivilo said.

The two musicians worked to get to a point of recording the song but couldn’t find a local children’s choir to take on the project. Chivilo and Grundahl said the church-like song felt like a choir needed to be involved.

Finally, a choir in California agreed to sing the song. Its choirmaster was from Kharkiv.

“It seemed like it was meant to be,” Chivilo said.