Gerdan: Kaleidoscope of World Music
About
Gerdan creates a blend of world music that is fresh, lively, and beautiful. These virtuoso musicians perform Eastern European melodies and rhythms on violin and an incredible array of folk flutes while introducing the region’s stories, traditions, and languages. Modern arrangements and connections to movie and video game music combine the old and the new.
Gerdan – Kaleidoscope of World Music is a professional ensemble in the Washington, DC area. The ensemble is named after Gerdan, a multi-colored, intricately woven beaded necklace from the Carpathian Mountains in Ukraine. Like this dazzling and exquisite necklace, musicians bring alive rich arrangements that reflect their passion for traditional Eastern European folk melodies and rhythms. Inspired by their native roots and heritage, they create and perform their own special blend of world music that brings together the old with the new in a style that is fresh, lively, and beautiful. Gerdan’s musicians have been acknowledged for their technique and exquisite musical presentations, performing an exciting repertoire of Eastern European folk music. The music of Gerdan is diverse, energetic, and charming, bringing the fire and the edge of new melodic ideas and rhythms that capture the listener.
The Gerdan concert program features contrasting musical styles in the musical traditions of Eastern Europe. Traditional songs and folk melodies get original arrangements in diverse and fascinating combinations of acoustic folk art instruments from Eastern Europe. The dialogue of spoken languages: Ukrainian, Slovak, Czech, Gypsy, and musical languages that are rich in history and speak lively in the artistic creative impulse of modern musicians who travel joyfully in the musical arts to new horizons. Exceptional musicians, skilled, experienced, and dedicated to the sonic nurture of this art, reveal their passion for the modalities and rhythmic colorations that define the folk music of Eastern Europe. The musicians of Gerdan share the direct life of their Eastern European multicultural music experience from generation to generation.
Artist’s website: Gerdan
Virtual program options available – contact us for more information.
Classics Out of the Box: Movie & Game Music
The dynamic duo explores musical highlights from popular American movies and favorite video games that feature instruments and styles from around the world. Students listen and recognize favorite soundtracks while learning about current film and game composers, the musical instruments they use in their scores, and the important role that music serves in today’s movies and games. This interactive performance is perfectly suited to students of all ages and may be tailored to grade level and musical experience.
Kaleidoscope of Musical Styles
The charismatic and dynamic flute-violin duo presentation by Dr. Andrei Pidkivka and Dr. Solomia Gorokhivska takes students on a trip through musical styles of classical, folk, and jazz. This interactive musical journey allows students to experience musical diversity and serves as an excellent curriculum enhancement for teachers and students studying music, world music, instruments, and world cultures.
$800 Single /$1000 Back-to-Back
Passport to the World of Flutes
Clap, sing, and learn ethnic traditions during this introduction to the exotic world of Eastern European wood flutes. Dr. Andrei Pidkivka’s journey explores the captivating sounds of flutes, their cultural tales, and their geographic and historical settings. His professional performances include The Lord of the Rings and The Lion King soundtracks and many Disney and Broadway productions.
$650 Single/$850 Back-to-Back
Larger ensemble available – contact us for pricing and information.
Each program is tailored to target Elementary, Middle, and High School students and to work closely with the school’s curriculum.
Fees are for daytime school programs in Maryland, Washington, DC, and Northern Virginia only.
Evening, weekend, workshop, and non-school fees differ – please contact us.
Additional travel fees apply.
Perhaps the most popular assembly — kids, parents and teachers were sitting with their jaws open!
– Forest Knolls Elementary School
They were amazing. The students adored them.
– Studio 39 Assistant Principal, Anne Arundel County Public Schools Performing and Visual Arts Magnet
The students loved learning about the different kinds of flutes from different countries, as well as enjoying the music. They especially enjoyed interacting with the music, even with just clapping with the different songs, and watching their friends dance. The music was accessible to all the students, regardless of their backgrounds.
– PTA, Piney Branch Elementary School (MCPS)
Gerdan gave a wonderful performance. They are very talented musicians and our students enjoyed their performance.
– General Music Teacher, Cedar Lane School
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