South 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 16 Next >

Program
Category
Description
Fee

Bells & Motley Victorian Musical Celebration of Christmas Past History,
Music,
Performing Arts- Storytelling

Music and customs of a traditional Christmas of Dickens' time included jovial and ceremonial songs with choruses for all to share, ballads steeped history, costumed characters or 'guisers,' tableaux and games, dances, and the presence of holly, ivy, and evergreen. This musical voyage back to the spirit of Christmas Past offers a magical time for family and friends to gather and share the origins of our traditions. Across England, wealthy households would celebrate with great musical feasts and pageants, and folks would go from door to door, singing wassailing songs that ended with the request for 'a toast and a good loaf or cheese, and we’ll be on our way.' Featured will be wassail songs from Cornwall, Somerset, and Gloucestershire. Other traditions will include a special processional bagpipe air from Northumberland to 'pipe your bounds' to insure abundance and well being throughout the new year. This peek behind the history of Christmas celebration uncovers the universal within the season's mirth and merriment, and plants the seeds of ideas for reestablishing some of the old traditional elements for community celebrations - further enriching the meaning and majesty of this important holiday season.
$351- $500

'THE HURDY GURDY CHILDREN'S CONCERT: INSTRUMENTS TO TREASURE' Summer Reading Program 2-for-1 Special History,
Music,
Performing Arts- Storytelling

The artists' extensive early instrument collection features a joyous diversity of historic Medieval, Renaissance, & traditional instruments. Playing upon the intriguing and rare historic hurdy gurdy to enrich our theme and setting, we are pleased to accompany our performance journey with an early music mini-concert specially designed for children, highlighting a diverse collection of early instruments of all shapes, sizes, and materials. Imaginations are courted with the mysterious and evocative sounds. As you enjoy this exploration of historic instruments from bagpipes to 'whittle and dub' you will marvel at the wonderful ways human kind has used wood, animal horn, reed, leather, and ingenuity to invent instruments that create a rainbow of musical sounds. This program is being packaged as a 2-for-1 with 'STONE SOUP: DOUBLE TREASURE' These two complementary programs unite perfectly to appeal to all the senses, a memorable and meaningful TREASURE for the eyes, ears, and imagination!
$351- $500

Musical Traditions of Ireland & Other Celtic Lands History,
Music,
Performing Arts- Dance

The Bromkas have been performing concerts of traditional Celtic music as a duo for the past 20 years, gathering a rich and varied repertoire, and acquainting eager audiences with the traditions and mysteries found within that heritage. For the Celts, music and mythology are closely intertwined, with potent images evoked on the traditional instruments including fiddle, harp, hammered dulcimer, squeezeboxes, pennywhistle, bodhran (Irish frame drum.) Of special interest are John’s collection of different bagpipes, representing several Celtic traditions. To complement the Irish, the artists share favorite music within the Welsh, Manx, Breton, Scottish, and Galician Celtic traditions.
$351- $500

Historic Music and Dance Celebrations of Many Cultures History,
Music,
Performing Arts- Dance

Bells & Motley's International Instruments, with International Folk Dances for Families; Special topics include Celebrating NYS Heritage with Dutch Music and French Cultural Heritage Concerts, Performances, Celebrations See www.bellsandmotley.com website for detailed information, photos, and much more.
$351- $500

The Ballad: Oral Literature, Musical Poetry, Mystery and Legend History,
Music

The ballad was a powerful and mystical form of early literature that was enriched and carried through time by the elements of rhyme, rhythm, and music. This collection of compelling short tales is presented in their original form - as songs rich in symbolism, surprising storylines, archetypal characters, and the familiar motifs they share with folk and fairy tales. This intriguing program features early music and instruments from the times of Beowulf to Shakespeare, including medieval bray harp, hurdy gurdy, recorders and other historic instruments.
$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

Erie Canal Tall Tale Writing Residency and Performance Event History,
Literature- Other,
Performing Arts- Storytelling

Workshop participants will study the art of the 'Tall Tale,' and then create their own original tale. This residency draws upon the Erie Canal for theme and inspiration, and includes songs and dances that reflect our multicultural heritage. The program will conclude with a joint artist/student performance for the community, wherein participants perform their tale, songs, and dances as an integral part of the artists’ musical theatre performance piece '15 Years on the Erie Canal.' (see related program listings.) The final performance will be geared towards family audiences, and includes participation for all. The presentation will feature music on the artists’ unusual collection of authentic historical instruments. All participating children will gain hands-on experience in a range of artistic disciplines, including writing, poetry, dance, music, and storytelling/theatre. Children will be exposed to actual Tall Tales of the Erie Canal Era; they will learn factual information about our county’s famous canal; about the era’s multicultural heritage.
$501- $1000

'STONE SOUP: DOUBLE TREASURE!' Water + a Stone + Your Imagination 2-for-1 Special History,
Music,
Performing Arts- Storytelling

This classic favorite has been crafted to include lots of singing, movement, and active participation for every audience member, making it a perfect choice for family audiences. When a very clever traveler meets a very stingy lady, an extraordinary soup is created from nothing more than the imaginative man’s ordinary stone, water, and his wits and imagination. Our version highlights a valuable clue: There is great joy in sharing, and it is important to always “use your noodle,” and your imagination! Therein lies greatest treasure of all! Young children love the inclusion of other favorite storytelling elements: singalongs, patterns, repetition, and especially, the wondrous and curious ways of “long ago & far away.” For a truly unusual musical experience, songs are accompanied by a real live HURDY GURDY, an unforgettable magical stringed instrument (it doubles as a magic pepper grinder in our telling!) Look forward to an energetic, meaningful, & interactive tandem storytelling experience underscored with live music, resonant with historic authenticity, and alive abundant participation. & 'THE HURDY GURDY CHILDREN'S CONCERT:' HISTORIC INSTRUMENTS TO TREASURE! Reading Program Special: 2 programs for one price: see separate entry
$351- $500

'Who Has Heard the Wind?' - Interactive Family Concert of Early Wind Instruments History,
Music,
Science

This performance is the perfect complement to our storytelling performance 'THE BOY WHO WENT TO VISIT the NORTH WIND.' Our extensive early instrument collection features a joyous diversity of historic MEDIEVAL, RENAISSANCE, and TRADITIONAL FOLK INSTRUMENTS. Playing upon the wind as our theme and setting, we often usher in our performance journey with an early music mini-concert , specially highlighting our collection of early wind instruments of all shapes, sizes, and sounds. The audience is treated to consorts of recorders, of curious crumhorns, historical bagpipes both loud and soft, and a mysteriously ancient gemshorn. As you enjoy this exploration of historic instruments, marvel at the wonderful ways human kind has used wood, animal horn, reed, leather, and ingenuity to invent instruments that create a rainbow of musical sounds. These two complementary programs unite to appeal to all the senses, a memorable and meaningful feast for the eyes, ears, and imagination! For EARTHDAY and ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS EVENTS, the artists can also explore mankind’s long partnership with the wind as energy, and how cultures around the world have shaped, utilized, and interacted with wind’s many powers and wonders. Windmills, kites, sailboats, seeds… wind contributes significantly to our lives, pleasures, & history.
$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

Page: 1 2 Next >

Records 1-10 of 16

* 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
Bells & Motley Victorian Musical Celebration of Christmas Past	History, Music, Performing Arts- Storytelling	Music and customs of a traditional Christmas of Dickens' time included jovial and ceremonial songs with choruses for all to share, ballads steeped history, costumed characters or 'guisers,' tableaux and games, dances, and the presence of holly, ivy, and evergreen. This musical voyage back to the spirit of Christmas Past offers a magical time for family and friends to gather and share the origins of our traditions. Across England, wealthy households would celebrate with great musical feasts and pageants, and folks would go from door to door, singing wassailing songs that ended with the request for 'a toast and a good loaf or cheese, and we’ll be on our way.' Featured will be wassail songs from Cornwall, Somerset, and Gloucestershire. Other traditions will include a special processional bagpipe air from Northumberland to 'pipe your bounds' to insure abundance and well being throughout the new year. This peek behind the history of Christmas celebration uncovers the universal within the season's mirth and merriment, and plants the seeds of ideas for reestablishing some of the old traditional elements for community celebrations - further enriching the meaning and majesty of this important holiday season.	$351- $500
'THE HURDY GURDY CHILDREN'S CONCERT: INSTRUMENTS TO TREASURE' Summer Reading Program 2-for-1 Special	History, Music, Performing Arts- Storytelling	The artists' extensive early instrument collection features a joyous diversity of historic Medieval, Renaissance, & traditional instruments. Playing upon the intriguing and rare historic hurdy gurdy to enrich our theme and setting, we are pleased to accompany our performance journey with an early music mini-concert specially designed for children, highlighting a diverse collection of early instruments of all shapes, sizes, and materials. Imaginations are courted with the mysterious and evocative sounds. As you enjoy this exploration of historic instruments from bagpipes to 'whittle and dub' you will marvel at the wonderful ways human kind has used wood, animal horn, reed, leather, and ingenuity to invent instruments that create a rainbow of musical sounds. This program is being packaged as a 2-for-1 with 'STONE SOUP: DOUBLE TREASURE' These two complementary programs unite perfectly to appeal to all the senses, a memorable and meaningful TREASURE for the eyes, ears, and imagination!	$351- $500
Musical Traditions of Ireland & Other Celtic Lands	History, Music, Performing Arts- Dance	The Bromkas have been performing concerts of traditional Celtic music as a duo for the past 20 years, gathering a rich and varied repertoire, and acquainting eager audiences with the traditions and mysteries found within that heritage. For the Celts, music and mythology are closely intertwined, with potent images evoked on the traditional instruments including fiddle, harp, hammered dulcimer, squeezeboxes, pennywhistle, bodhran (Irish frame drum.) Of special interest are John’s collection of different bagpipes, representing several Celtic traditions. To complement the Irish, the artists share favorite music within the Welsh, Manx, Breton, Scottish, and Galician Celtic traditions.	$351- $500
Historic Music and Dance Celebrations of Many Cultures	History, Music, Performing Arts- Dance	Bells & Motley's International Instruments, with International Folk Dances for Families; Special topics include Celebrating NYS Heritage with Dutch Music and French Cultural Heritage Concerts, Performances, Celebrations See www.bellsandmotley.com website for detailed information, photos, and much more.	$351- $500
The Ballad: Oral Literature, Musical Poetry, Mystery and Legend	History, Music	The ballad was a powerful and mystical form of early literature that was enriched and carried through time by the elements of rhyme, rhythm, and music. This collection of compelling short tales is presented in their original form - as songs rich in symbolism, surprising storylines, archetypal characters, and the familiar motifs they share with folk and fairy tales. This intriguing program features early music and instruments from the times of Beowulf to Shakespeare, including medieval bray harp, hurdy gurdy, recorders and other historic instruments.	$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
Erie Canal Tall Tale Writing Residency and Performance Event	History, Literature- Other, Performing Arts- Storytelling	Workshop participants will study the art of the 'Tall Tale,' and then create their own original tale. This residency draws upon the Erie Canal for theme and inspiration, and includes songs and dances that reflect our multicultural heritage. The program will conclude with a joint artist/student performance for the community, wherein participants perform their tale, songs, and dances as an integral part of the artists’ musical theatre performance piece '15 Years on the Erie Canal.' (see related program listings.) The final performance will be geared towards family audiences, and includes participation for all. The presentation will feature music on the artists’ unusual collection of authentic historical instruments. All participating children will gain hands-on experience in a range of artistic disciplines, including writing, poetry, dance, music, and storytelling/theatre. Children will be exposed to actual Tall Tales of the Erie Canal Era; they will learn factual information about our county’s famous canal; about the era’s multicultural heritage.	$501- $1000
'STONE SOUP: DOUBLE TREASURE!' Water + a Stone + Your Imagination 2-for-1 Special	History, Music, Performing Arts- Storytelling	This classic favorite has been crafted to include lots of singing, movement, and active participation for every audience member, making it a perfect choice for family audiences. When a very clever traveler meets a very stingy lady, an extraordinary soup is created from nothing more than the imaginative man’s ordinary stone, water, and his wits and imagination. Our version highlights a valuable clue: There is great joy in sharing, and it is important to always “use your noodle,” and your imagination! Therein lies greatest treasure of all! Young children love the inclusion of other favorite storytelling elements: singalongs, patterns, repetition, and especially, the wondrous and curious ways of “long ago & far away.” For a truly unusual musical experience, songs are accompanied by a real live HURDY GURDY, an unforgettable magical stringed instrument (it doubles as a magic pepper grinder in our telling!) Look forward to an energetic, meaningful, & interactive tandem storytelling experience underscored with live music, resonant with historic authenticity, and alive abundant participation. & 'THE HURDY GURDY CHILDREN'S CONCERT:' HISTORIC INSTRUMENTS TO TREASURE! Reading Program Special: 2 programs for one price: see separate entry	$351- $500
'Who Has Heard the Wind?' - Interactive Family Concert of Early Wind Instruments	History, Music, Science	This performance is the perfect complement to our storytelling performance 'THE BOY WHO WENT TO VISIT the NORTH WIND.' Our extensive early instrument collection features a joyous diversity of historic MEDIEVAL, RENAISSANCE, and TRADITIONAL FOLK INSTRUMENTS. Playing upon the wind as our theme and setting, we often usher in our performance journey with an early music mini-concert , specially highlighting our collection of early wind instruments of all shapes, sizes, and sounds. The audience is treated to consorts of recorders, of curious crumhorns, historical bagpipes both loud and soft, and a mysteriously ancient gemshorn. As you enjoy this exploration of historic instruments, marvel at the wonderful ways human kind has used wood, animal horn, reed, leather, and ingenuity to invent instruments that create a rainbow of musical sounds. These two complementary programs unite to appeal to all the senses, a memorable and meaningful feast for the eyes, ears, and imagination! For EARTHDAY and ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS EVENTS, the artists can also explore mankind’s long partnership with the wind as energy, and how cultures around the world have shaped, utilized, and interacted with wind’s many powers and wonders. Windmills, kites, sailboats, seeds… wind contributes significantly to our lives, pleasures, & history.	$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