The American Balalaika Symphony

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1 Peter Trofimenko, Artistic Director Proposal for Funding The American Balalaika Symphony Culture is the process by which a person becomes all that they were created capable of being. - Thomas Carlyle Dear Mr. Ross: The American Balalaika Symphony (ABS) is seeking a grant to help support this unique community orchestra s continued contribution to the Arts in Northern Virginia. ABS is a rare treasure in the metropolitan Washington DC s cultural portfolio. Composed of an internationally diverse mix of 50-plus musicians from this area, the American Balalaika Symphony is only one of seven similar orchestras in the entire United States. As a balalaika orchestra, ABS is a full symphony orchestra that produces a unique sound greatly different from the traditional bowedinstrument symphony orchestras. ABS has been hailed nationally and internationally for its artistry and originality, most recently capturing the Music Center at Strathmore s 25 th Anniversary Great Strathmore Giveaway competition, winning this award over 30 other performing arts groups. The American Balalaika Symphony offers a stunning range of music from Russian folk melodies to classical favorites to rarely heard symphonic masterpieces. In addition, with its international reputation, ABS is also able to attract and feature virtuoso soloists from around the world for many of its concerts. Despite its national and international recognition, the American Balalaika Symphony remains rooted in Northern Virginia and focused on the local community. Most of our musicians live and work here; and in addition to its concerts, ABS provides many opportunities for free musical education and instruction to local residents. Because of its musical origins, ABS also furnishes a special community outreach to the area s Eastern European community (see below).

2 ABS is eager to do more for the area for example, concerts for city events or internships for talented music students. But because of the sometimes staggering costs of production and maintenance (see below), we are and have been for some time operating at a financial deficit, and can no longer survive only on the generous individual contributions from some of our loyal audience. Northern Virginia and the greater DC metro area can boast communities of avid arts enthusiasts. And Northern Virginia governments and institutions, in particular, have proved time and again their moral support and financial commitment to bringing the Arts in all their variety and richness to area residents. The American Balalaika Symphony is a major contributor to that variety and richness. But we now need your support and commitment to ensure that this rich and rare cultural resource not only continues but thrives in our community. Thank you for your consideration. Yours truly, Lawrence Mastri For the American Balalaika Symphony P.S. I m one of those formally non-musicians who, seven years ago, without musical background, was welcomed and trained by the American Balalaika Symphony. Now, you can find me in the orchestra s alto balalaika section, where I happily join in concert with my fellow musicians.

3 Background Music washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life. - Berthold Auerbach The American Balalaika Symphony was founded in 2001 by Peter Trofimenko, an immigrant from Kiev, Ukraine who came to the U.S. in 1993 with his wife and two small daughters. Steeped in the rich traditions of the Russian Music School, Dr. Trofimenko arrived here with the idea of fusing these traditions with the best of European and American music to create a truly unique American orchestra. From this vision was born the American Balalaika Symphony. Unlike traditional symphony orchestras, which use bowed instruments such as violin or cello, a balalaika orchestra uses the plucked stringed instruments balalaika and domra and the artistry of tremolo to produce its distinctive shimmering sound. Enhanced by horns, woodwinds and percussion, the result is an exciting blend of lush sounds and unforgettable musical arrangements that produces a rare and wonderful experience for lovers of great classical music. As Dr. Trofimenko, who also serves as the orchestra s creative director and conductor, has noted: We are committed to developing music with new and appealing contemporary dimensions not modernistic, but rather a lush and warm sound. Although a young orchestra, the American Balalaika Symphony has already gained a dedicated following throughout the Washington metropolitan area for its distinctive performances and unique repertoires, including rare and seldom-heard pieces, all specially arranged for a balalaika orchestra by Maestro Trofimenko. In recognition of its achievements, ABS was recently awarded the Grand Prize in the 2007 International Music Golden Trophy Competition, held in New York. A panel of six distinguished judges from the United States, Japan, Russia, Uzbekistan, and Ukraine selected the ABS from among 87 participants from around the world. Also in 2007, ABS was honored at the 5 th annual international competition, Musical Vladivostok 2007, held in Vladivostok, Russia under the auspices of Russia s Federal Culture and Cinematography Agency. In May 2008, ABS conductor and artistic director Peter Trofimenko was honored by the prestigious Russian Academy of Folk Music. Most recently, the American Balalaika Symphony was selected as the winner of the Music Center at Strathmore s 25 th Anniversary Great Giveaway competition, besting 33 others for a fully sponsored performance at the Strathmore in January 2010.

4 Rationale and Impact For better or worse, you must play your own little instrument in the orchestra of life. - Dale Carnegie ABS has become an intrinsic part of the cultural life of the nation s capital, delighting audiences of all ages with distinctive performances that bring new perspectives to symphonic music. But in addition to providing enchanting musical performances, ABS reveals its community orchestra roots in its efforts to inspire interest in classical music and to pass on the musical arts. These community activities include but are not limited to the following: Based in NOVA s Schlesinger Center, ABS brings light to the arts in Northern Virginia. Concerts are accessible, affordable, and friendly. Rehearsals take place at Alexandria s Hermitage retirement home, where elderly residents regularly join us to watch and listen. ABS stimulates interest in classical music and teaches the musical arts to music lovers and aspiring musicians, providing instruction and instruments at no charge. Because of its musical origins, ABS also reaches out to the local Russian and Eastern European communities, drawing them into the cultural life of Northern Virginia. The Symphony provides free concert tickets to area military and Department of Defense civilians, who have become some of the orchestra s most devoted fans. ABS maintains a special collaboration with the prestigious Gnessin Academy of Music in Moscow, and each year brings Russian conservatory students to America to observe how a community orchestra operates in a free market society. Today there are fewer than seven balalaika orchestras in the United States, and Northern Virginia is home to the most unique and distinguished of this select group. Also unlike the others, the American Balalaika Symphony is a teaching orchestra that brings both cultural delight and musical education to its community. Objectives You got to be careful if you don t know where you re going, because you might not get there. -Yogi Berra The American Balalaika Symphony will use the funding to, at a minimum, continue its current activities. However, ABS is eager to enlarge its scope and outreach to include the following outcomes: Creation of a position for a full-time, salaried Executive Director to publicize orchestra activities and develop media contacts Expanded resources for musical lessons, instruction, and internships for promising music students

5 Seminars and workshops in the Russian musical tradition for students, scholars, and the general public Guest lecturer/performer series that would allow performing virtuoso soloists to interact in an informal setting with audiences and the general public A worldwide network of balalaika and balalaika orchestra enthusiasts to share resources and performance information A state-of-the-art website that would become a primary source of information about balalaika orchestras and the Russian Music School, as well as a forum for scholars, students, and others interested in these fields An extensive subscriber list, gathered through mailings, the website, and attendance at orchestra-sponsored events Solid collaborations and networks with foreign musical academies and musicians, especially in East Europe, that would permit more student and professional exchange programs between ABS and prestigious institutions abroad. Costs I don t like money, actually, but it quiets my nerves. - Joe Louis We seek funding on the basis of the following yearly costs and expenses: Concert Costs Concert hall rental $ per concert x 3 concerts Specialty musicians? Printing $45.00 Tickets $ Postcard Mailers $39 per 100 flyers $ programsp Postage $ Radio spots $4000 for 1 week on WETA Newspaper ads $4000 for weekend Washington Post High Road Solution design $75.00 one time design for broadcasting Flowers $50.00 Refreshments? InstantSeats ticket sales? Commission on tickets sold Charge-It telephone line? Website Web designer $ WebEdit software and install $110. $179 Domain registration $65.00

6 CDs Recording session at Schlessinger? Production costs? CDs stock? We are asking your commitment to cover all or part of these costs on a yearly basis. Results Great music is that which penetrates the ear with facility and leaves the memory with difficulty. -Sir Thomas Beecham Measured by audience response and by national and international awards and recognition (see here), the American Balalaika Symphony has already made an inestimable impact on the Arts in Northern Virginia and the DC metro area. However, we feel that our real potential contribution has barely been tapped, and that the only obstacle to this is financial resources. To say we operate on a shoestring budget would diminish shoestrings. Further impact will depend on advertising and publicity as well as partnerships with civic leaders, corporate heads, and community organizations. We need funding to expand our repertoire, audiences, community outreach and education, and our branding as a unique Northern Virginia performing arts group. We are proud of what we ve accomplished and are eager to do more. Please consider being part of the American Balalaika Symphony s community cultural contribution. For more information, please visit our website at To contact someone directly, Americanbalalaikasymphony@gmail.com.

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