Duo Balalaika
Duo Balalaika, an international project born out of a love of traditional music and classical elegance, has been fascinating children across North America with vibrant balalaika, piano and vocal performances. Oleg (balalaika virtuoso from Siberia) and Terry (American concert pianist) perform traditional Russian music, chamber music classics and unique transcriptions of world favorites. Duo Balalaika celebrates cross-cultural collaboration.
Minimum number of performances and/or workshops required for travel or hire:
Performer requires two contracts in a 24 hour period to justify travel to Cumberland County.
Assembly Performance: Cross-Cultural Collaboration
Discover teamwork in action; experience how performers, composers and audiences work together. Students will be captivated by exuberant music, energized by dynamic rhythms, moved by beautiful melodies. Learn how the balalaika came onto the modern concert stage from humble peasant origins in Old Russia. The audience becomes an essential part of the concert, performing on stage using Russian percussion.
Duration: 45-50 minutes
Grade Level: Elementary School, Middle School, High School
Maximum Number of Students: 500
Maximum Number of Performances: 2
Technical Requirements:
- Power outlet.
- Armless chair.
- Piano bench.
- We bring our own sound system.
NC Essential Standards: Musical Response K-8.MR.1 Understand the interacting elements to respond to music and music performances. Contextual Relevancy K-8.CR.1 Understand global, interdisciplinary, and 21st century connections with music. Musical Literacy K-8.ML.1 Apply the elements of music and musical techniques in order to sing and play music with accuracy and expression.
Cost: $880 - one program / $1540 - two programs (same day, same school)
Workshop: Troika! Folk Dance & Russian Percussion
There is nothing more quintessentially Russian than the three-horse-drawn carriage known as Troika. Students learn the folk dance with ethnomusicologist Terry, and perform it to balalaika music played by Siberian-born Oleg. Students will understand the era when troikas were used in a postal relay system and contrast it to today's communication systems, all underscoring the imperative of teamwork. While dancing and accompanying each other with Russian percussion instruments and bells, students learn about counting beats, form/structure, and patterns.
Duration: 45-50 minutes
Grade Level: Elementary School, Middle School, High School
Maximum Number of Students 50
Maximum Number of Performances 3/day
Technical Requirements:
- Power outlet.
- Armless chair.
- Piano bench.
- Long table.
NC Essential Standards: Musical Response K-8.MR.1 Understand the interacting elements to respond to music and music performances. Contextual Relevancy K-8.CR.1 Understand global, interdisciplinary, and 21st century connections with music. Musical Literacy K-8.ML.1 Apply the elements of music and musical techniques in order to sing and play music with accuracy and expression.
Cost: $450 - one program / $750 - two programs (same day, same school)