FARMINGTON – The Arts Institute of Western Maine is proud to present Village Harmony, a unique and lively Vermont-based youth world music singing ensemble, in its first summer concert series. The concert will be held 7:30 p.m. Thursday, July 7 at Nordica Auditorium on the University of Maine at Farmington campus.
Led by ethnic music specialists John Harrison, Natalie Nowytski, and Olga Velitchkina, the 23 bold and talented teenage singers, joined by two local performers Ellie Sloane-Barton and Louisa Stancioff, perform high energy gospel and jazz arrangements and traditional music from the Balkans, Ukraine, Russia and Georgia.
Each summer Village Harmony sponsors 10 ensembles like this one, both in New England and in numerous foreign countries, involving both teen and adult singers. Each group develops its own unique sound with a different international team of leaders. The three co-leaders of this group bring a remarkable breadth of experience and repertoire, including jazz, gospel, Russian village and liturgical music, and traditional Eastern European music. Although primarily a vocal group, Village Harmony often combines traditional instruments for a truly authentic sound.
Anyone who has been present at a Village Harmony concert knows just how special they can be! The energy, harmonies, and musicality they bring to the stage are supremely entertaining and up-lifting. This is a summer concert not to be missed!
Appropriate for all ages: donations will be accepted at the door.
For more information, please contact Cyndy Stancioff (778-3513) or Sarah Sloane at sloane@ maine.edu
