Within the framework of the “U.S. Art Residence in Dnepropetrovsk" the head of the "Window on America" Center (Dnipropetrovsk, Ukraine) Svetlana Usenko visited the local high school №39.
For the students of the 6th and 9th grades Svetlana Usenko conducted two lessons on the life and work of American composer George Gershwin.
At the beginning of the lessons the librarian congratulated the students with the Thanksgiving holiday which is celebrated today in the USA. The teacher Victoria Platonova, a longtime partner of the DOUNB Library, reminded the children the main characters of this holiday. They read and translated a philosophical quote about the importance of gratitude in the human’s life.
From the WOA’s slide presentation the students learned about the basic facts of George Gershwin’s life – his musical education, gradually developed music skills, cooperation with elder brother Ira, who wrote librettos for his musicals and opera.
The students listened to the best Gershwin’s tunes:"Rhapsody in Blues", Clara’s aria (the world known lullaby “Summertime”) from the opera "Porgy and Bess".
At the end of the lessons the students were informed about the diverse – printed, electronic, and most importantly free – resources for learning English. They were invited to join the American Teen Club on Saturdays at the WOA center. Participation in this club may help to visit the US as exchange students. Exchange programs “FLEX” and “Summer Work and Travel” require profound preparation from the interested candidates.
Students received a good start for the day, new cross-cultural knowledge and additional motivation to study English.
Number of participants – 60 people.
Within the framework of the “U.S. Art Residence in Dnipropetrovsk” project the students of school No. 141 major in studying foreign languages (with English as a priority language) visited the "Window on America" Center (Dnipropetrovsk, Ukraine).
The objective of the visit was to introduce the students to the art of George Gershwin as a musical innovator with Ukrainian roots.
The WOA Head S. Usenko presented to them the “Window on America” Center and its free resources for studying English. Students were informed about the opportunity to study at an American university, if they have a high level of English language.They were also reminded about the hight student exchange program “Summer Work and Travel USA” and referred to respective Facebook page of the US Embassy in Kyiv.
The students watched inter-active slide show about the background and music of George Gershwin. The students were fascinated by the sounds of blues and musicals by George Gershwin.
To check the comprehension of the complicated material the students were asked to answer the questions of a quiz. They managed to give several correct answers, but they certainly need to learn more about opera in general.
Participants number – 33.
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Within the framework of the “U.S. Art Residence in Dnipropetrovsk” project the students of school No. 23 major in studying foreign languages (with English as a priority language) visited the "Window on America" Center (Dnipropetrovsk, Ukraine).
The objective of the visit was to introduce the students to the art of George Gershwin as a musical innovator with Ukrainian roots.
The WOA Head S. Usenko presented to them the “Window on America” Center and its free resources for studying English. Students were informed about the opportunity to study at an American university, if they have a high level of English language.They were also reminded about the hight student exchange program “Summer Work and Travel USA” and referred to respective Facebook page of the US Embassy in Kyiv.
The students watched inter-active slide show about the background and music of George Gershwin. The students were fascinated by the sounds of blues and musicals by George Gershwin.
To check the comprehension of the complicated material the students were asked to answer the questions of a quiz. They managed to give several correct answers, but they certainly need to learn more about opera in general.
Participants number – 24.
Have a look at more pictures, please
Within the framework of the “U.S. Art Residence in Dnipropetrovsk” project the staff of the "Window on America" Center (Dnipropetrovsk, Ukraine) visited the local high school No. 28
School pleased us with the signs of Ukrainian patriotism: the state flag on the flagpole in the yard, an exhibition at the school library dedicated to the famous Ukrainian humorist Ostap Vyshnia. The music lessons room impressed us with a real mini-grand piano in it. Music studies are taken very seriously at this school.
The objective of the visit was to introduce the students to the art of George Gershwin as a musical innovator with Ukrainian roots.
A two groups of senior students (8-9 years) was invited to the lecture. The WOA Head S. Usenko presented to them the “Window on America” Center and its free resources for studying English. Students were informed about the opportunity to study at an American university, if they have a high level of English language.They were also reminded about the hight student exchange program “Summer Work and Travel USA” and referred to respective Facebook page of the US Embassy in Kyiv.
The senior students watched several interactive slide shows about the background and the career of George Gershwin. The students already knew certain things about Gershwin. Today they have learned a lot of interesting facts about Gershwin’s innovations in music and about his impact on American culture.
The presenter T. Gavryliuk added a new aspect to the presentation. There is an opinion among the Ukrainian music scholars about the Ukrainian roots of the world famous lullaby “Summertime” by G. Gershwin. The story is similar to the rooting of the “Carol of the Bells” from a popular Ukrainian folk song.
The WOA staff member T. Gavryliuk presented several inter-active slide shows about the background and music of George Gershwin. The students were fascinated by the sounds of blues and musicals by George Gershwin.
To check the comprehension of the complicated material the students were asked to answer the questions of a quiz. They managed to give several correct answers, but they certainly need to learn more about opera in general.
Participants number – 30 persons.
Within the framework of the “U.S. Art Residence in Dnipropetrovsk” project the staff of the "Window on America" Center (Dnipropetrovsk, Ukraine) visited the local high school No. 141. The students of this school major in studying foreign languages (with English as a priority language).
The objective of the visit was to introduce the students to the art of George Gershwin as a musical innovator with Ukrainian roots.
A big group of senior students (8-11 years) was invited to the lecture. The WOA Head S. Usenko presented to them the “Window on America” Center and its free resources for studying English. Students were informed about the opportunity to study at an American university, if they have a high level of English language.They were also reminded about the hight student exchange program “Summer Work and Travel USA” and referred to respective Facebook page of the US Embassy in Kyiv.
The WOA staff member T. Gavryliuk presented several inter-active slide shows about the background and music of George Gershwin. The students were fascinated by the sounds of blues and musicals by George Gershwin.
But the most striking thing the students have learned from the lecture was the Ukrainian roots of the Gershwin’s “Summertime” tune from his opera “Porgy and Bess”. Ukrainian music scholars prove that Gershwin was inspired to compose his masterpiece after listening to a Ukrainian folk lullaby. To check the comprehension of the complicated material the students were asked to answer the questions of a quiz. They managed to give several correct answers, but they certainly need to learn more about opera in general.
Participants number – 125 persons.
Have a look at more pictures, please
Within the framework of the project “U.S. ART Residence in Dnipropetrovsk” WOA Centre organized a lecture about George and Ira Gershwin for the students of the local Pedagogical College and other interested public (Gabfest Club members and other Art fans). The lecture took place at the DOUNB library Art department. The WOA staff – S. Usenko and T.Gavryliuk – prepared informative slide show s “Gershwin’s biography” and “Verdi of America”. The slide shows presented important facts about the life of the cult American composer and illustrated them with relevant images and soundtracks. The audience absorbed the information and answered the lecturers’ questions.
The guest lecturer invited to the session was Doctor of Musical science Ms. Iryna Riabtseva. She is a lecturer at the Dnipropetrovsk Conservatorium and a member of the National Composers’ Association of Ukraine. Her speech covered the analysis of Gershwin’s best known musical works “Rhapsody in Blue” (1924), opera “Porgy and Bess” (1935).
The audience had a chance to enjoy the musical videos from the Internet compiled by S. Usenko.
The lecture was complemented with the book and sheet music display “American Music and Musicians”; the sheet music used for the lecture aroused a lot of interest in future music teachers.
Participants number – 49 persons.
The senior students watched several interactive slide shows about the background and the career of George Gershwin. The students already knew certain things about Gershwin. Today they have learned a lot of interesting facts about Gershwin’s innovations in music and about his impact on American culture.
