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MUSICIAN'S
ZONE
One
of the things I have enjoyed over the years is watching
people enjoy the sounds of music. Whether at dances,
parties, picnics, concerts, benefits, fund raisers,
community events, ethic functions, educational outings,
family gatherings, jam sessions or music festivals-People
do like their music. As a tamburitza performer-it
is a great joy to be able to cross boundaries of Balkan
music and play classics, contemporary, ethnic, country/western,
Light jazz, and other types such as old favorites
from the 30s40s50s and more to include Irish, folk
and continental music. Music provokes reactions of
surprise and pleasure as we tap into a resevoir of
old time favorites.
As
a member of "Tillie Klaichs Balkan Serenaders”
I have had the best world I could imagine provided
to me in the background and life learning of these
fine musicians passed down to me through their pioneering
efforts. Their style of music and repetoire has spread
throughout the Western New York Serbian and Croatian
community and more-to ALL of the groups that currently
play in this area and beyond its NY State boundaries
to fans nationally.
For me-its not just the music. It is the people and
the culture I have come across through the years in
the communities played for and music shared. From
the beginning in the 60s (for me) of playing at the
International Institute in Buffalo-or one of my very
first concerts-(playing at an Italian Restaurant-Salvatores
Italian Gardens) as a Serbian teen-playing Italian-Greek,
and Russian music-the musical clash of cultures has
been quite a rush-and provides many warm memories.
As I learned my craft-worked at it and present it
the best way I know how. Practice is a daily part
of my routine. A variation of the types of music I
play constantly gives me a fresh perspective. No matter
how many songs I know-there is always more to learn
and the biggest room for improvement starts with me-no
one else. As individuals we can't learn it all-but
we can try to raise the bar-and a legacy-if I have
one to give comes not only from playing but from communicating,
writing and sharing the gifts of life.
It
is in the center of written dialogue that I open the
door to you-the readers-(and musicians) to give you
an opportunity and a forum to speak. The ability to
communicate is critical and important. As a musician
writer and "TBL” my desire is to talk to
you and ask your help and direction.. I have a vision
of abused children that I believe need help. They
need education and they need it in a classroom setting.
In the tamburitza field we think of ourselves as musicians.
As COMMUNICATORS, I believe there is no limit as to
how high the bar can be raised. I have a special care
and love for abused children, teens and adults. I
want to see our nation become comfortable with making
their minds strong, educated and understanding of
those things that can be destructive. In time I believe
society will be the benefactor reaping the benefits
of a generation of children educated on what abuse
is-and DOING something about it!
Their
lives-the classrooms of life-could be filled with
souls-caring about the SOULS they will bring into
this world. It's about being accountable-and responsible-to
friends-family community and society by those they
touch and interact with throughout their lives. I
believe an acceptable age (6-12th grade) are taught
the plight of children locally-nationally and internationally/globally-they
will in time commit this to care and lifestyle. Annually
there are 3 million cases of child abuse in the United
States.
I have a vision of a TBL Foundation for children-some
of that information is outlined in my Mission Statement
for this web site. You-can help! Your thoughts-e-mail,
comments and support are important!
In closing-Tamburashi, folk musicians, ethnomusicians,
Suzuki teachers, international musicians, Serenaders,
men and women's music organizations, friends and supporters
of all kinds of music. Let me know your thoughts-This
is an opportunity for you to have a place to come
to-to share and make a difference-I’ve shown
previous articles that bear out what we already know-Music
matters-Music Heals and Musicians-can make a difference!
Remember-
"ALL CHILDREN NEED TO BE LOVED”
AND EDUCATED!"
"TBL"
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