Michael (Mike) Malanchuk
Title
Michael (Mike) Malanchuk
Description
A biography of Mike Malanchuk, music instructor and director of the AUUC choir and orchestras on-and-off between 1928 and 1955.
Type
Text
Rights
Reproduction may be restricted. Contact AUUC.
Coverage
Vancouver, BC
Language
English
Birth Date
1907
Birthplace
Dorohychivka, Ukraine
Death Date
1972
Occupation
Musical Director
Biographical Text
Mike Malanchuk was born in the village of Dorohychivka, Zalishchytskiy Povit, Ternopolshchyna in Ukraine in 1907. He, his mother, and his three brothers came to Canada after his father (who had immigrated in 1912), to Coleman, Alberta. Mike's musical knowledge was acquired at the schools of the ULFTA in Coleman.
In 1928 Mike was sent to Vancouver to be an instructor of music and the Ukrainian language for the ULFTA. In 1936 he attended further music courses in Winnipeg, and upon completion, returned to Vancouver. During World War II, when the Ukrainian Labour Temple was closed, Mike returned to Coleman where he worked in the mines.
At the end of the war Mike returned to Vancouver where he continued teaching. In 1946, under his direction, the Vancouver Cultural Collective took part in the Ukrainian Festival in Edmonton, Alberta. In 1947, the West Coast climate being detrimental to his health, Mike returned to Coleman where he continued to work in the mines and help in the cultural activities of the AUUC. From 1949 to the end of 1950 he was musical director of the AUUC in Edmonton. In 1951 he returned to Coleman where he again worked in the mines and helped in the cultural activities of the organization.
In 1953, at the request of the Vancouver AUUC, he returned to Vancouver where he took on the post of Musical Director until 1955. He then began to work the night shift at the CPR so was unable to continue as musical director. In 1972 Michael retired from the CPR, took a short rest, and then illness struck. This illness eventually took his life.
Mike Malanchuk's contribution to the cultural life of the AUUC in Vancouver is immeasurable. His name has been added to the list of our Pioneers - builders of the Ukrainian progressive movement in Canada.
In 1928 Mike was sent to Vancouver to be an instructor of music and the Ukrainian language for the ULFTA. In 1936 he attended further music courses in Winnipeg, and upon completion, returned to Vancouver. During World War II, when the Ukrainian Labour Temple was closed, Mike returned to Coleman where he worked in the mines.
At the end of the war Mike returned to Vancouver where he continued teaching. In 1946, under his direction, the Vancouver Cultural Collective took part in the Ukrainian Festival in Edmonton, Alberta. In 1947, the West Coast climate being detrimental to his health, Mike returned to Coleman where he continued to work in the mines and help in the cultural activities of the AUUC. From 1949 to the end of 1950 he was musical director of the AUUC in Edmonton. In 1951 he returned to Coleman where he again worked in the mines and helped in the cultural activities of the organization.
In 1953, at the request of the Vancouver AUUC, he returned to Vancouver where he took on the post of Musical Director until 1955. He then began to work the night shift at the CPR so was unable to continue as musical director. In 1972 Michael retired from the CPR, took a short rest, and then illness struck. This illness eventually took his life.
Mike Malanchuk's contribution to the cultural life of the AUUC in Vancouver is immeasurable. His name has been added to the list of our Pioneers - builders of the Ukrainian progressive movement in Canada.
Collection
Citation
“Michael (Mike) Malanchuk,” Association of United Ukrainian Canadians - Vancouver, accessed April 19, 2024, https://auucvancouver.digitalhistoryhub.com/items/show/166.