Master Folk Artists Featured at Elementary Songfest

Local master artists who are actively passing on their tradition will be featured at an important local musical event for youth in March. Mensura Berberovic, an expert in the ancient Bosnian courting ballad called Sevdalinka, is teaching these ballads to a young Bosnian, 14 year old Selma Simanovic. Victoria Angelo and Marta Sam are passing the African song and dance tradition of the Acholi people on to their daughters. Mensura, Selma, Marta, and Victoria will all be featured guests at the Elementary Song Fest on Friday, March 9, at Harborcreek High School. The Song Fest, sponsored by the PA Music Educators Association, brings together 150 of the best singers from 30 elementary and middle schools across Erie and Warren counties. For years the Song Fest has proved to be a pivotal experience in the musical life of thousands of students, inspiring them to continue studying music. The children spend the day rehearsing with a professional conductor and present an evening concert for the community. The theme of this year’s event is A Celebration of Diversity in Our Own Back Yard. The children will be singing songs from Japan, Mexico, Australia, and the Zulu tradition in addition to songs in Bosnian and Acholi with the featured guest artists. Dr. Rosemary Omniewski of Edinboro University will be this year’s conductor. She states, “It is an honor to work with these wonderful musicians from Bosnia and Africa. They have inspired the international theme of the program. I’m excited that our young singers and their parents will experience our community’s rich diversity!” Song Fest gratefully acknowledges support from the Arts Council of Erie and the PPA grant program for this event.

For more information contact Song Fest coordinator Sheryl May at 824 6200.