NSU to hold Russian Folk Project Workshops, Festival

In conjunction with its Galaxy of Stars Series' presentation of Massenkoff Russian Folk Festival, the Sequoyah Institute at Northeastern State University is proud to host Russian Folk Project Workshops Oct. 12-13 for all third-graders in Cherokee County.

The workshops are possible through a grant from the Mid-American Arts Alliance.

The Institute is offering the workshop free of charge to Cherokee County schools. The workshop is administered to third-graders because Oklahoma PASS Standards Testing states these students should be able to, Compare and contrast the ways people in the United States and other communities in other countries use art, music, and stories to communicate (e.g., storytellers, paintings, and folk songs).

This is an opportunity for the students to learn about another country that many have never visited, said Jordan Rozell, Galaxy of Stars intern and coordinator of the workshops.

Local musicians Francie Fite and Max McCullough will present the workshop. Both are skilled Russian folk musicians.

McCullough formed the Washington Balalaika Society in 1988 and serves as executive director of the Balalaika and Domra Association of America.

Accompanying on the workshops is Evgenia (Zhenya) Tochenaya. Born in the Soviet Union, she came to the U.S. from Ukraine in 1993, when she joined the Washington Balalaika Society as concert mistress. She plays guitar and the domra. The workshop includes a 45-minute presentation of Russian culture, arts, and music and a Q&A with the students.

As part of the 24th Annual Galaxy of Stars Series, Massenkoff Russian Folk Festival performs Oct. 26 at 7:30 p.m. at the Tahlequah High School Performing Arts Center. The performance is part of a three-fold project including the Russian Folk Workshops, the concert by Massenkoff and an Oct. 26 matinee performance for area schools.

There is nothing like experiencing music and the performance live in front you," Rozell said. "Its magical.

For more information about the presentations or ticket information, please contact the Sequoyah Institute at at Northeastern State University at 918-458-2075.

10/7/2009

Published: 2009-10-07 00:00:00