Russian folk orchestra celebrates musical traditions

People yearning to play domras and balalaikas are invited to join the Russian Folk Orchestra.

Music director Victor F. Gorodinsky, a librarian at Memorial Library, says the group's 27 members are mostly students, plus a few from the larger community.

"The orchestra provides the instruments, costumes and music. It's helpful if people can read music and play some stringed instrument, but it's not a big requirement. We ask only that people attend rehearsals and, of course, concerts," says Gorodinsky, who emigrated from Russia in 1982.

Rehearsals are Thursdays, 7-9:30 p.m. in 1418 Van Hise. The next concert is Saturday, Nov. 8, at the Russian Folk Festival held at St. Sava's Church in Milwaukee. Information: 259-9440, vfgorodi@wisc.edu or http://www.wisc.edu/creeca/rfo/rfo.htm.