`Tamburitzans take audience on musical tour`

Duquesne University Tamburitzans will perform Sunday in the second segment of Shenango Valley Performing Arts Council’s 1998 Pittsburgh Artists Series. The show will be from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Performing Arts Center at Buhl Farm, Hermitage.

The Tamburitzans, founded in 1937, is the first existing university-based performing folk ensemble in the United States. It takes its name from the tamburitza family of stringed instruments indigenous to the folk cultures of southeastern Europe. The group perpetuates the Eastern European cultural heritage.

Forty students make up the performing ensemble and come from all parts of the United States. The group will present a two-hour tour of Eastern Europe through folk music, songs and dances. Musicians and dancers wear costumes authentic of peasant fashion.

Performers use the lute-like tamburitza instruments as the foundation of the troupe along with such contemporary instruments as the accordion, clarinet and violin.

Those attending Sunday’s show are encouraged to bring picnics and lawn chairs. Rain site is Sharon High School auditorium.

Transportation is available for senior citizens. Arrangements may be made for clients of Arc of Mercer County, Mercer County Education and Rehabilitation Center and Keystone Blind Association. The shows are free but those who would like to donate to the series may send checks to Shenango Valley Performing Arts Council, Box 872, Sharon, Pa. 16146.

Contributors to the series are Vira I. Heinz Endowment of Pittsburgh, Edward J. Kavanagh Foundation, cities of Sharon and Hermitage, Sharon Music Club, Sharpsville Service Club, Kiwanis Clubs of Farrell, Hermitage and West Middlesex and PennPAT. PennPAT is a program developed and funded by the Vira I. Heinz Endowment, William Penn Foundation, Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, Pew Charitable Trusts and Mid-Atlantic Arts Foundation.

The Buhl Trustees provide the center for the concerts and the staff to assist.

Melanie Werner is chairwoman; Pattie Segarra, vice chairwoman; Carol Simon and Jennifer Palombi, fund-raising; Barb Young, publicity; and Carole Dunkerly, Buhl Farm liaison. Members are Marian Appleton, Rosemary Cerra, Barb Crago, Sherry Forner, Phyllis O’Meara, Ruth Petty, Ann Rundorff, Louise Saborsky, Ann Sandstrom, Karen Trapp, Susan Manes and Cathy Feeney.

The Shenango Valley Performing Arts Council’s mission is to promote and encourage an interest for the performing arts.

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Updated July 22, 1998
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