History of the Serbian Orthodox Choral Association:

After the churches split in 1965, many of our choirs became dormant.  With the guidance of then Bishop Iriney, the groundwork for the future "Serbian Orthodox Choral Association" was begun.  On April 10, 1965, Bishop Iriney held an organizational meeting of church choirs at Shadeland, Pennsylvania.  This was to become our Eastern Region.  The Bishop then traveled to East Chicago, Indiana, where on May 2, 1965, he helped establish the Mid-Western Region.  His Grace continued to Jackson, California.  On July 4, 1965, the final Region in the West was organized.

During the next two months, plans were made and the First Convention of the Serbian Orthodox Diocesan Choral Association was held.  On September 11 and 12, 1965, delegates from all three Regions convened at the St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Monastery in Libertyville, Illinois.  The event was hosted by members of the Kornelije Stankovich Choir of East Chicago, Indiana.  Convention delegates were greeted by His Grace, Bishop Dionisije and His Grace, Bishop Iriney.

At this First Convention, our organization was officially named the Serbian Orthodox Choral Association (SOCA).  A committee of delegates from the three Regions finalized SOCA's original By-Laws under the Chairmanship of Dorothy Visnich of Lorain, Ohio.  Members of the By-Laws Committee included Voyo Cheyovich, Nada Vishnich, Lex Ellesin, George Ranich, Sam Suitca, Misho Vukovich, and Mane Bubalo.

Eighteen choirs were represented at the First Convention.  These include:    

During the First Convention, Mr. Ostoja Boljanich donated an enormous selection of Serbian religious, national, folk, and classical compositions by our renowned composers.  Included were the complete works of Stevan Stojanovich Mokranjac  and others.  These items were donated in memory of his beloved wife, Ljubica Grkovich Boljanich.  In appreciation for this priceless donation, the Convention Body unanimously agreed to name the Serbian Orthodox Choral Association Library of Music in memory of Ljubica Grkovich Boljanich.

The Convention Body also installed the First Honorary Members of SOCA.  This title is bestowed upon people who have "exemplified the perpetuation and preservation of our Serbian culture and Orthodox Faith through the Serbian Orthodox Choral Association."  Honored at the First Convention were Mr. Ostoja Boljanich (Gary, Indiana), Mr. Glisho Rapaich (Gary, Indiana), and Mr. Savo Vrtikapa (Gary, Indiana).

At approximately 4:00 p.m. on September 12, 1965, the First Executive Board of the Serbian Orthodox Choral Association was sworn in.  Bishop Iriney was designated as the Spiritual Advisor of SOCA.  He worked with us through the years and was one of our greatest supporters up until his death.

"The purpose of the organization is to encourage, develop, and perpetuate Serbian music, Orthodox religion, language, and folk arts; to contribute to the moral, educational, cultural, and spiritual development of youth of Serbian Orthodox Faith; to assist in organizing other choral groups, in cooperation with the Serbian Orthodox Diocese for the United State and Canada." (By-Laws: Article II, 1965).

With this in mind, over the years countless people have contributed their time, energy, support, and love into building the Serbian Orthodox Choral Association of the New Gracanica Serbian Orthodox Metropolitanate for the United States and Canada into an integral part of our Diocese.