Georgian Men's Choir "Zekari"

Traditional songs from the regions of Georgia

Batonebo

Our music is the traditional music from the country of Georgia. Our ensemble performs at a top professional level, showcasing the exciting riches of Georgian music culture. The songs are ancient, sophisticated examples of elaborate polyphony, haunting traditional melodies, dance songs, and the repertoire of romances and city songs that have developed over the past 200 years

Georgian music is a staple of Georgian life. It is a major component of what might be called the living cultural heritage of Georgian society. It is a heritage because there is a continuity of music extending back into antiquity in the lands now known as Georgia. A complex polyphony evolved at least as far back as the Tenth Century in Georgia at a time when single part chants such as Gregorian chant were the style in Europe.

The genres of Georgian music that we present in our programs include traditional folk songs, city songs, church songs, romance songs, dance music and popular music sometimes called “Estrada”. Our men’s choir follows a long tradition of men’s groups in Georgia singing regional polyphonic folk songs and religious songs. The music arose in pre-Christian times and has continued in parallel to the Georgian Orthodox Church music since the 4th Century when Christianity became the state religion of Georgia. The strongest regional styles are found in folk music from Guria in the West, Kakheti in the East and Megrelia in the North-West. Many of the songs are song a cappella in three or four parts. Others are accompanied by folk instruments, most notably the long-necked stringed instruments “chonguri” and “panduri”, both of which are played by our singer-musicians.

Our men’s choir "Zekari" follows a long tradition of men’s groups in Georgia singing regional polyphonic folk songs and religious songs. The music arose in pre-Christian times and has continued in parallel to the Georgian Orthodox Church music since the 4th Century when Christianity became the state religion of Georgia. The strongest regional styles are found in folk music from Guria in the West, Kakheti in the East and Megrelia in the North-West. Many of the songs are song a cappella in three or four parts. Others are accompanied by folk instruments, most notably the long-necked stringed instruments “chonguri” and “panduri”, both of which are played by our singer-musicians.

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Be Part of Our Community

We are a growing community sharing a common interest in Georgian culture, immigrant life and the practice and enjoyment of the best of art and culture. If you would like to become involved or simply learn more, you are most welcome to visit, email, phone or write.

Contact details

We can converse in English, Georgian and Russian.
Phone: Victor: 914-522-3888; Lika: 845-642-4823; Tsutsa: 347-257-2741

Email: info@dancingcrane.org; vsirelson@gmail.com

Correspondence: 6401 20th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11204 and 9 Dekay Road, Warwick, NY 10990