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Balalika Ensemble raises funds for Moscow food drive

Date 2/17/2000 12:00 AM | Topic: Arts & Culture

The Luther College Balalaika Ensemble will present a benefit concert, in order to raise money for the Moscow Protestant Chaplaincy Soup Kitchen Ministry, Sunday, February 20 at three p.m..

The concert will feature traditional Russian and Slavic music complete with ethnic instruments, such as the domra, an oval three-stringed instrument, and the balalaika, a triangualar stringed instrument.

One hundred percent of the proceeds from their concerts go directly to the MPC Soup Kitchen Ministry, which will serve thousands of meals each day to people in need.

The Balalaika Ensemble, a 15 member ensemble under the direction of Laurie Iudin-Nelson, was founded in 1992 when Nelson came to Luther College to teach Russian Studies.

Faculty, staff, students, and alumni make up this 15-member ensemble. Iudin-Nelson pointed out that one of the best things about this group is that it "brings people with connection with people who are no longer at Luther. It's amazing how all the Luther ties come together, said Iudin-Nelson.

There are no auditions to be in this ensemble, said Iudin-Nelson, The only requirement is that they come to rehearsal once a week.

Iudin-Nelson said that the group thinks of these concerts as their community service. Balalaika Ensemble led chapel February 8, and are still receiving donations in the mail from the service. "It's just incredible. I couldn't believe it," said Iudin-Nelson.

The MPC Soup Kitchen is associated with ELCA and is staffed by ELCA pastors.

This group has toured across the Midwest as well as a trip to San Francisco and Chicago.

The Balalaika Ensemble is sponsored by Luther College and Concordia Language Villages.





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Karen Heuiser
Chips A&E Editor

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