Music that builds bridges between cultures.

Patrons of the DOUNB Library and the "Window to America" Center are accustomed to various events that allow them to meet English-speaking guests of the city.

 But the meeting on October 30 was special - the US Embassy's diplomat Sean O'Hara visited us with an informal visit. Mr. O’Hara is a diplomat and cultural affairs attaché with the US Embassy in Ukraine, but he is also an amateur jazz musician. All afternoon Mr. O'Hara used the jazz language of his alto-saxophone, he learned to play it in school years. Besides he plays Hawaiian guitar and can perform a popular Ukrainian folk song "You tricked me!".

 Mr. Sean demonstrated a slide presentation which introduced the audience to jazz and its founding fathers – Ben Goodwin and Louis Armstrong; He performed selected musical fragments in which basic jazz elements (swing, syncopation and others) were demonstrated to the audience.

The real fun was an attempt to create a human jazz band (imitating the sounds of musical instruments). All the band members enjoyed the process, clapped their hands and smiled.

At the end of the session Mr. Sean answered the questions, told about himself, his life-long friendship with music and his diplomatic mission in Ukraine. He urged the group to monitor the ads and attend the show of the Broadway dance team that will visit Ukraine soon! Professional dancers can attend the casting and receive a chance to join the Broadway team.

The DOUNB Library director, Ms. Nadiya Titova city, gifted library memento’s to Mr. Sean to commemorate his visit to Dnipro city. A DOUNB Librarian Ms. Alexandra   performed for him a violin number – a popular rock composition.

The meeting with the American diplomat was arranged in partnership with the Dnipro Academy of Music at the American Art Residence of DOUNB Library. It was a pity that only few students could make it to the session. Student Katerina Dyomina sang a popular jazz piece.

The JAZZ event participant experienced no language barriers.

Mr. Sean talked to all the participants who came over to communicate with him. Several persons were complimented for their   good command of English. Knowledge of English these days is essential, especially now when Ukraine’s economic and social reforms are supported by the European Union, the USA, Canada, Australia .

Photo by Svitlana Usenko and Galyna Shevtsova.

Participants number – 63 persons.

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Speed English session on topic ‘Music’

Art makes human life filled with polyphony and colors. The art of music enriches the human world with colors and emotions, it provides aesthetic pleasure.
“Music” was the topic of conversation for the newcomers and the regular club-members of the WOA’s English-speaking Club “Gabfest”. The format of the session was “Speed English”. This type of practice is helpful for learners who need to activate their vocabulary. The Head of the "Window on America" center Svetlana Usenko prepared slides with simple and interesting questions. Club members practiced “small talk”, greetings, etc. They chatted in pairs, every two minutes the conversation partners rotated and started to discuss new issues. Our American volunteer Mr. Jason gladly joined the group and communicated with many people.
Number of participants – 37 persons.
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To the 100th anniversary of Frank Sinatra

The first Gabfest Club session (at Window on America center Dnipropetrovsk, Ukraine) in 2016 was dedicated to the 100th anniversary of Frank Sinatra.
This American singer, songwriter, actor, producer and director is popular in Ukraine as well. He was one of the most popular and influential musical artists of the 20th century. F. Sintara is one of the best-selling music artists of all time, having sold more than 150 million records worldwide. He is famous for a selection of beautiful Xmas songs. The basics facts about F. Sinatra were presented to the group. His popular nicknames “The Voice” and “Al’ Blue Eyes” were explained and illustrated with videos and images.
The iconic songs “My Way” and “New York” were played to the group to enjoy the tunes and to translate the lyrics. The lovers of Sinatra music recommended web sites where one can find translation of lyrics into Russian.
The second part of the session was a New Year tea ceremony with sweet treats. The Club members shared with fellows how they celebrated the New Year. Our American friend Mr. Jason carefully listened to the stories about the back ground of Ukrainian symbols of New Year celebration – potato salad “Olivier”, citrus fruits, watching “Irony of Fate” movie and others.

Happy New Year to ALL!!!
Number of participants – 20 persons.
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Sounds of The Season

The "U.S. Art Residence in Dnipropetrovsk” project continues.
At the "Window on America" Dnipropetrovsk the “Gabfest” club members were introduced to the popular songs about Christmas. Language learning through music and lyrics – is a fun activity for all English language students.
 
The Club’s Moderator Tamara Gavryliuk presented 7 songs performed by the iconic American singers – Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley, Natalie Cole others. The lyrics of the songs created a festive, friendly, warm atmosphere. Translation of the lyrics enriched club members’ vocabulary and added optimism.
The DOUNB Library welcomes its patrons with a positive attitude and inspires them with a desire to share good feelings with other people.
Number of participants – 10  persons.

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U.S. Music - 3

The "U.S. Art Residence in Dnipropetrovsk” project involved a group of students from the local school No. 141. to present a lecture “U.S. Music”.
The 11th-year students learned a lot of curious facts about the history of the American music at the Window on America (Dnipropetrovsk, Ukraine). They have listened to the musical fragments that introduced typical American styles of music: jazz, country, pop, rock, disco, zydeco, gospel, etc. They also learned about the world known American opera composer – George Gershwin – and listened to some tunes from his cult opera “Porgy and Bess”. The students learned about the musical instruments that are specific for each of the above musical styles and learned new vocabulary.
The students with interest examined the books and images that illustrate the topic at a book display at the Window on America Centre.
 Number of participants – 28 (1teacher + 27 pupils).

U.S. Art Residence: Music & Musician - 2

U.S. Art Residence: Music & Musician - 2

The "U.S. Art Residence in Dnipropetrovsk” project involved a group of students from the local school No. 141. to present a lecture “U.S. Music”.

The 4th-year students learned a lot of curious facts about the history of the American music at the Window on America (Dnipropetrovsk, Ukraine). They have listened to the musical fragments that introduced typical American styles of music: jazz, country, pop, rock, disco, zydeco, gospel, etc. They also learned about the world known American opera composer – George Gershwin – and listened to some tunes from his cult opera “Porgy and Bess”. The students learned about the musical instruments that are specific for each of the above musical styles and learned new vocabulary.

The students with interest examined the books and images that illustrate the topic at a book display at the Window on America Centre.
Have a look at more pictures, please