Triumph of Ukrainian Culture in Canada: Axios Choir Wins Prestigious Juno Award 2026

The Ukrainian male choir Axios Choir from Edmonton has won Canada’s top music award, the Juno Awards. The ensemble received the award in the category Classical Album of the Year: Large Ensemble for the recording of the work Ukrainian War Requiem.

This was announced during the official award ceremony held in Hamilton, according to Ukrinform with reference to the award’s official website.

The winning composition was created by American composer Benedict Sheehan. The idea for the requiem emerged in 2022, immediately after the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The choir’s conductor, Demian Zakordonskyy, together with his colleagues, aimed to create not just an artistic project, but a spiritual support and a prayer in memory of the victims of the genocidal war.

The album recording involved 52 performers, including members of the Axios Choir, the professional choir Pro Coro Canada, as well as soloists from Ukraine — opera singers and priests.

Choir member Taras Podilskyi shared his emotions about the victory, noting that it was an incredible honor for an amateur choir to surpass such renowned nominees as the Toronto Symphony Orchestra.

“It’s hard to believe that we, amateur singers, together with professionals, were able to achieve such a goal. We felt this music, this requiem for our soldiers. This is not just a performance, it is a spiritual experience. We are glad that Canadians saw the essence of this work,” emphasized Taras Podilskyi.

When taking the stage, the choir members demonstrated unity not only in their singing but also in the details: all participants were dressed in embroidered bow ties made by artisans in war-torn Ukraine.

The victory of the Axios Choir is historic, as this is the first time a purely Ukrainian artistic collective has won a Juno Award. Composer Benedict Sheehan, although not Ukrainian by origin, masterfully incorporated elements of the Ukrainian national anthem and traditional litanies into the fabric of the requiem.

Thanks to the support of the credit union “Buduchnist,” in November 2026 the Axios Choir will embark on a cross-Canada tour. Performances are scheduled in Saskatoon, Winnipeg, Montreal, Ottawa, London, and Toronto (on November 12 and 15). The ensemble is also considering future tours in Europe and Ukraine.

As a reminder, a Christmas concert by the Canadian Bandurist Capella took place at Humber Valley United Church in Toronto.

EMPR