Central Region: New York State Performers, Programmers & Related Resources for Public Libraries & Groups


Performer Information
Stage name:	Bells & Motley Olden Music, Dance, and Storytelling
Performer name:	Sondra & John Bromka
Phone:	315-673-2995
Mailing address:	36 South Street Marcellus, NY 13108
E-mail address:	sbromka@earthlink.net
Website:	http://www.bellsandmotley.com
Previous appearances at:	1) 30 Years at Sterling Renaissance Festival - presenting Concerts, Musical Theater, Storytelling, Historic Dance Instruction, 2) NYS Heritage and Canal Fest Events for Communities, Libraries, Schools, 3) School & Community residencies and pageants across NYS, Northeast, and Europe, 4) Historic Site thematic specialty programs for Lorenzo, Crailo, French Azilum, Sackets Harbor, Olana, many more; also France, Germany, & Belgium, 5) Libraries across all areas of NYS, and locally in Marcellus, Onondaga Hill; see our website for complete lists Contact information for New York State Public Libraries
Information last updated:	05/15/2012

Records 1-10 of 10

Program
Category
Description
Fee

Dig Into China! 'BAWSHOU & the DRAGON' Traditional Chinese Folk Pageant for SUMMER READING PROGRAM 2013 Multicultural- Other,
Music,
Performing Arts- Storytelling

Dig deep into a cave of the earth--the Sun has been captured by a Fearsome Dragon and hidden away. The hero of our tale is Bawshou, a young man who courageously rises to the challenge of freeing the Sun. With the help of a golden phoenix, a small parcel of earth, a magic robe, and a heroic dream, Bawshou travels afar to seek out and rescue the Sun, for the good of his people and all the land. Children actively participate as they portray the flowing river, the sounds of the sea, the playing of the gong, the dancing stars, and much much more! The artists evoke a magical atmosphere in this important Chinese tale, employing authentic oriental techniques and traditions including stylized dramatic forms and movement, mythology, exotic costumes, and music. Chinese folk instruments (erhu, p’i p’a, guzheng harp, sona, Chinese Theatre drum, flutes & whistles, and gong) are featured, combining to make this unforgettable performance piece a joyous celebration of oriental culture. 'Bawshou' was commissioned by the Springfield MA Museum of Fine Arts in 1994. (see accompanying Chinese Dragon Mask Workshop/Parade).
$351- $500

Concert of Nature's Music on World Instruments from Many Cultures - SUMMER READING PROGRAM Multicultural- Other,
Music,
Nature- Environment

Nature, Music, and Instruments Around the World and Across Time! Through time, the sounds of nature have inspired wonderful musical, poetic, and artistic dreams all around the world. From rushing waterfalls, to gentle drops of rain and melting icicles… to birdsong and crickets... to diverse sounds of the four seasons, Bells & Motley are excited to bring young audiences on a musical journey using a gamut of evocative instruments including harp and medieval fiddles, exotic zithers from Turkey and China, and many other rare exotic historical instruments, for a good measure of total surprise. A beautiful introduction to the evocative powers of music for audiences of all ages.
$351- $500

A Celtic Mid-Winter Revel: Music for the 12 Days of Christmas Multicultural- Other,
Music,
Performing Arts- Storytelling

Celtic Christmas and Mid-Winter celebrations through the centuries were a twelve-day flurry of spirited songs, mythical airs, quaint traditions, and mirthful customs and stories. The duo of John and Sondra Bromka offer an evocative and festive collection of seasonal music on their diverse array of Celtic instruments including harp, hammered dulcimer, 2 kinds of historic bagpipes, button accordeon, Irish cittern, bodhran, and guitar.
$351- $500

Merrie Old English Music & Dances To Welcome in the Spring Multicultural- Other,
Music,
Performing Arts- Dance

Participatory songs, dances, and magical traditions of Merrie Olde England that help celebrate the arrival of this loveliest season of the year. Seasonal concert/workshop combination.
$351- $500

Christmas Musical Folk Traditions Around the World & Across Time History,
Multicultural- Other,
Performing Arts- Dance

The evocative sounds of the arraye of rare historic and folk musical instruments will lead you into the nooks and crannies of France, Spain, Germany, Italy, and the British Isles in a celebration of Christmas traditions in many lands. From festive tunes for dance and procession, to evocative ballads and songs for chorusing - this rich and festive holiday musical program features seasonal aires, songs, and traditions. Instruments include the hurdy gurdy, French and Northumbrian bagpipes, Celtic harp, Swedish nykleharpa, Irish pennywhistle, and much more.
$351- $500

'One World, Many Instruments' Concert Show & Tell for Children, Families Multicultural- Other,
Music,
Science

Created of wood, bone, skin, metals, and earth, it is an amazing thing to behold the many ways people around this globe have used nature’s materials to bring forth music! The Bromkas have a long history of first-hand explorations and experimentations with world music in its many forms. Their extensive travels have lead them to play a variety of truly exotic instruments, from a great many different countries and cultures. Audiences love their hurdy gurdy, hammered dulcimer, the wide variety of bagpipes, mandolins, cittern, and Celtic harps. This musical journey travels to the far reaches of Asia, to include the magical Chinese Harp called “guzheng” and “erhu” fiddle, Turkish oud & baglama, Mideastern zither “kanun,”and a raft of percussion and other rare instruments! Hear stories for each of their instruments and musical selections, be it travels in Europe and Asia, gifts from mysterious strangers, or the instruments built in the Bromkas' own studios. This multicultural musical journey is a fascinating, fun learning experience for folks of all ages.
$351- $500

French Music, Instruments, & Dance Traditions of the Provinces Multicultural- Other,
Music,
Performing Arts- Dance

The Bromkas offer a memorable musical journey through the French Provinces! As traveling musicians who visit France each year in the pursuit of its regional music and dance, John and Sondra have a large repertoire of songs, instruments, and even lively circle and line dances that will be chosen to appeal to the level and needs of your group. Rare and distinctive regional instruments include: Breton and Auvergnat bagpipes, hurdy gurdy, flutet et tambourin, more! There are also French songs especially for dancing. (Artists may present a concert of musical traditions, or a combination program of traditional dances, instruments, and songs.)
$351- $500

Erie Canal - New York State Heritage Songs and Instruments along the Waterway History,
Multicultural- Other,
Music

Sondra and John Bromka use their historic instrument collection to give a lively taste of New York State's unique and distinctive cultural character along our famous water way during the 1800s. In this up-close, interactive concert, you'll hear instruments from a variety of immigrant traditions, from Irish harp, bagpipes, pennywhistle, to French hurdy gurdy, to German hackbrett (hammered dulcimer), African-American banjo, and English squeezeboxes...and music that imparts the special flavor of each culture's unique contributions.
$351- $500

Timeless Tunes, Timeless Tales, and their Musical Secrets Multicultural- Other,
Music,
Performing Arts- Storytelling

Discover the stories and secrets behind some of the most rare, mysterious, and magical musical instruments of history. How were they invented? How do they work? Hear the tales that are told about the person who was said to be the first player of the bagpipes in ancient Rome. Discover the secret behind stories that claim that fiddles actually have magical powers. What is the tallest stringed instruments ever invented? Are there actually wind instruments that you don't blow into? Can a harp ever play itself? What happens when you touch it? Children will be invited to try the harp and find out for themselves! Bells & Motley have discovered that young children (as well as adults) are enthralled by the unusual sounds and stories behind their unique collection of historic instruments, including rommelpot, hurdy gurdy, early bagpipes, harp, hand-made fiddles, and tromba marina. Audiences are especially excited to hear that the Bromkas, in addition to being musicians, historians, and veteran storytellers, are also expert instrument builders. An unforgettable interactive enrichment experience.
$351- $500

Colonial Conviviality: Music for George Washington and His Revolutionary Friends History,
Multicultural- Other,
Music

What was musical entertainment like in George Washington’s day? Ballroom jigs, minuets and cotillions, popular songs, meeting-house anthems, and harvest ballads and choruses meet together here in a lively and intruiguing program combining music and history. Introducing the pieces will be anecdotes about the roles of music and dance, and concerning Friends of the Revolution Lafayette, Jefferson, Franklin, and Washington. Sondra and John Bromka’s instrumentation for this program includes historic harp, hurdy gurdy, hammer dulcimer, French & English bagpipes, recorders, Baroque oboe, Spanish guitar, and cittern. The cittern, with 8 wire strings, was also known in Colonial America as the 'English guitar.'
$351- $500

Page: 1

Records 1-10 of 10

* Inclusion in this database does not indicate endorsement of any performer or program by the NYS Education Department, the Office of Cultural Education, the NYS Library or the participating library systems, nor does it eliminate the need for reference checks and appropriate standard screening procedures.

Program	Category	Description	Fee
Dig Into China! 'BAWSHOU & the DRAGON' Traditional Chinese Folk Pageant for SUMMER READING PROGRAM 2013	Multicultural- Other, Music, Performing Arts- Storytelling	Dig deep into a cave of the earth--the Sun has been captured by a Fearsome Dragon and hidden away. The hero of our tale is Bawshou, a young man who courageously rises to the challenge of freeing the Sun. With the help of a golden phoenix, a small parcel of earth, a magic robe, and a heroic dream, Bawshou travels afar to seek out and rescue the Sun, for the good of his people and all the land. Children actively participate as they portray the flowing river, the sounds of the sea, the playing of the gong, the dancing stars, and much much more! The artists evoke a magical atmosphere in this important Chinese tale, employing authentic oriental techniques and traditions including stylized dramatic forms and movement, mythology, exotic costumes, and music. Chinese folk instruments (erhu, p’i p’a, guzheng harp, sona, Chinese Theatre drum, flutes & whistles, and gong) are featured, combining to make this unforgettable performance piece a joyous celebration of oriental culture. 'Bawshou' was commissioned by the Springfield MA Museum of Fine Arts in 1994. (see accompanying Chinese Dragon Mask Workshop/Parade).	$351- $500
Concert of Nature's Music on World Instruments from Many Cultures - SUMMER READING PROGRAM	Multicultural- Other, Music, Nature- Environment	Nature, Music, and Instruments Around the World and Across Time! Through time, the sounds of nature have inspired wonderful musical, poetic, and artistic dreams all around the world. From rushing waterfalls, to gentle drops of rain and melting icicles… to birdsong and crickets... to diverse sounds of the four seasons, Bells & Motley are excited to bring young audiences on a musical journey using a gamut of evocative instruments including harp and medieval fiddles, exotic zithers from Turkey and China, and many other rare exotic historical instruments, for a good measure of total surprise. A beautiful introduction to the evocative powers of music for audiences of all ages.	$351- $500
A Celtic Mid-Winter Revel: Music for the 12 Days of Christmas	Multicultural- Other, Music, Performing Arts- Storytelling	Celtic Christmas and Mid-Winter celebrations through the centuries were a twelve-day flurry of spirited songs, mythical airs, quaint traditions, and mirthful customs and stories. The duo of John and Sondra Bromka offer an evocative and festive collection of seasonal music on their diverse array of Celtic instruments including harp, hammered dulcimer, 2 kinds of historic bagpipes, button accordeon, Irish cittern, bodhran, and guitar.	$351- $500
Merrie Old English Music & Dances To Welcome in the Spring	Multicultural- Other, Music, Performing Arts- Dance	Participatory songs, dances, and magical traditions of Merrie Olde England that help celebrate the arrival of this loveliest season of the year. Seasonal concert/workshop combination.	$351- $500
Christmas Musical Folk Traditions Around the World & Across Time	History, Multicultural- Other, Performing Arts- Dance	The evocative sounds of the arraye of rare historic and folk musical instruments will lead you into the nooks and crannies of France, Spain, Germany, Italy, and the British Isles in a celebration of Christmas traditions in many lands. From festive tunes for dance and procession, to evocative ballads and songs for chorusing - this rich and festive holiday musical program features seasonal aires, songs, and traditions. Instruments include the hurdy gurdy, French and Northumbrian bagpipes, Celtic harp, Swedish nykleharpa, Irish pennywhistle, and much more.	$351- $500
'One World, Many Instruments' Concert Show & Tell for Children, Families	Multicultural- Other, Music, Science	Created of wood, bone, skin, metals, and earth, it is an amazing thing to behold the many ways people around this globe have used nature’s materials to bring forth music! The Bromkas have a long history of first-hand explorations and experimentations with world music in its many forms. Their extensive travels have lead them to play a variety of truly exotic instruments, from a great many different countries and cultures. Audiences love their hurdy gurdy, hammered dulcimer, the wide variety of bagpipes, mandolins, cittern, and Celtic harps. This musical journey travels to the far reaches of Asia, to include the magical Chinese Harp called “guzheng” and “erhu” fiddle, Turkish oud & baglama, Mideastern zither “kanun,”and a raft of percussion and other rare instruments! Hear stories for each of their instruments and musical selections, be it travels in Europe and Asia, gifts from mysterious strangers, or the instruments built in the Bromkas' own studios. This multicultural musical journey is a fascinating, fun learning experience for folks of all ages.	$351- $500
French Music, Instruments, & Dance Traditions of the Provinces	Multicultural- Other, Music, Performing Arts- Dance	The Bromkas offer a memorable musical journey through the French Provinces! As traveling musicians who visit France each year in the pursuit of its regional music and dance, John and Sondra have a large repertoire of songs, instruments, and even lively circle and line dances that will be chosen to appeal to the level and needs of your group. Rare and distinctive regional instruments include: Breton and Auvergnat bagpipes, hurdy gurdy, flutet et tambourin, more! There are also French songs especially for dancing. (Artists may present a concert of musical traditions, or a combination program of traditional dances, instruments, and songs.)	$351- $500
Erie Canal - New York State Heritage Songs and Instruments along the Waterway	History, Multicultural- Other, Music	Sondra and John Bromka use their historic instrument collection to give a lively taste of New York State's unique and distinctive cultural character along our famous water way during the 1800s. In this up-close, interactive concert, you'll hear instruments from a variety of immigrant traditions, from Irish harp, bagpipes, pennywhistle, to French hurdy gurdy, to German hackbrett (hammered dulcimer), African-American banjo, and English squeezeboxes...and music that imparts the special flavor of each culture's unique contributions.	$351- $500
Timeless Tunes, Timeless Tales, and their Musical Secrets	Multicultural- Other, Music, Performing Arts- Storytelling	Discover the stories and secrets behind some of the most rare, mysterious, and magical musical instruments of history. How were they invented? How do they work? Hear the tales that are told about the person who was said to be the first player of the bagpipes in ancient Rome. Discover the secret behind stories that claim that fiddles actually have magical powers. What is the tallest stringed instruments ever invented? Are there actually wind instruments that you don't blow into? Can a harp ever play itself? What happens when you touch it? Children will be invited to try the harp and find out for themselves! Bells & Motley have discovered that young children (as well as adults) are enthralled by the unusual sounds and stories behind their unique collection of historic instruments, including rommelpot, hurdy gurdy, early bagpipes, harp, hand-made fiddles, and tromba marina. Audiences are especially excited to hear that the Bromkas, in addition to being musicians, historians, and veteran storytellers, are also expert instrument builders. An unforgettable interactive enrichment experience.	$351- $500
Colonial Conviviality: Music for George Washington and His Revolutionary Friends	History, Multicultural- Other, Music	What was musical entertainment like in George Washington’s day? Ballroom jigs, minuets and cotillions, popular songs, meeting-house anthems, and harvest ballads and choruses meet together here in a lively and intruiguing program combining music and history. Introducing the pieces will be anecdotes about the roles of music and dance, and concerning Friends of the Revolution Lafayette, Jefferson, Franklin, and Washington. Sondra and John Bromka’s instrumentation for this program includes historic harp, hurdy gurdy, hammer dulcimer, French & English bagpipes, recorders, Baroque oboe, Spanish guitar, and cittern. The cittern, with 8 wire strings, was also known in Colonial America as the 'English guitar.'	$351- $500