Flying Balalaika Brothers

Bio and activity description of Flying Balalaika Brothers.
Category: Folk/Traditional Music. RAGB - Russian American Gypsy Bluegrass.
Members: Zhenya Rock - BA Music and Theatre, Tchaikovsky College, Russia; 24 years experience in music business and theatre, composer, arranger, movie scores, performer, multi instrumentalist.
Sergey Vashchenko - MA Music and Orchestral Conducting, Ural Conservatory, Russia; 43 years performing artist and arranger.
Derek Strahan Composer, Vocal, director of project Animal.
The Russian virtuoso musicians from Texas, present an educational, artistic-adult and young audience performance. Appearing in traditional costumes and language introducing the unique rhythms, harmonies, and sounds of traditional Russian folk instruments (balalaikas, spoons, bayan, domra), combined with traditional American instruments (banjo, harmonica, guitar), they present Russian folk and American roots music, The exciting musical journey compares and contrasts the rich musical heritage and traditions, and the innovative artistic fusion of musical annotations and interpretation.
The performers will break into small group setting to interactively demonstrate the instruments; involving the audience in participation (ex. clapping rhythms on Russian spoons, strumming the balalaika, folk dancing).Vocal harmony workshop to introduce simple harmony singing and acoustic balalaika performance.
Students recognize and recall music tempos through dance and clapping rhythms. (Lento, Andante, Allegro, Presto). Identify and recognize sound and shape of typical Russian Folk instruments, their relationship to the musical family of instruments: Balalaika, Bayan, Russian spoons). Cultural exposure to traditional Russian costumes; identify and recognize costume traditions. World Geography. Make connections to identify and recognize similarities and differences between Russian and American musical culture. The goal of the Flying Balalaika Brothers program is to present the musical genres of 900 years of traditional Russian folk music demonstrating the full range of emotions; keeping the passion, excitement, melodies, joy and sorrow for which Russian folk and classical music became famous all over the world. The musical program includes various kinetic experiences through simple rhythmic patterns such as clapping rhythms to various musical tempos, which seniors and those lacking mobility can fully participate, visual stimulation presented in the colorful props and traditional costumes and auditory participation through vibration from the musical tones for the deaf. Children and seniors will participate and be stimulated from the performance. The Flying Balalaika Brothers will travel worldwide representing Arts of Texas, and will do so 45%. The Flying Balalaika Brothers have a long touring experience of 25-32 years, and are experienced in international travel.