#1897. Ethnic Music: Carptho Ruysn

Music, level: Elementary
Posted Thu Nov 9 12:01:56 PST 2000 by Juliana Galiyas (MJ103196@aol.com).
Indiana University of Pennsylvania, USA
Concepts Taught: Ethnic music, Ethnic dancing

Ethnic Music: Carpatho Rusyn

I. Objectives

As a result of this lesson, the students will be able to:
· Define the term ethnic music.
· Define the term ethnic dancing.
· Dance a simple Carpatho Rusyn dance step.

II. Materials

· Slavjane CD, Songs from a Rusyn Garden, 1998.
· Slavjane Concert Video Cassette 1995

III. Procedure

A. Introduction

Play the song Ja Rusyn Byl, Jesm I Budu from the Slavjane CD. What do you think the song was about? What might be the title of this song? Explain the song is a Carpatho-Rusyn song. Explain that this song is the national anthem for the Carpatho Rusyn region. It's title translated into English is I was, am, and shall be a Rusyn. The reason we could not understand the song is because it is in another language and it is an ethnic song. Define ethnic music. Ethnic music is the traditional music that is an expression of the life of people in a community. What are some songs that are traditional to you?

B. Principal Activity

Today we are going to learn about ethnic songs and dances from the Carpatho-Rusyn region. This area is located around the Carpathian Mountain region of Eastern Europe. This falls within the borders of the countries of Poland, Slovakia, Ukraine, Hungary, and Rumania. There are about 700,000 Americans of Carpatho-Rusyn decent in the United States. The largest concentration of Carpatho-Rusyns is in Western Pennsylvania.
Now that we know what ethnic music is, what do you think ethnic dancing is? Ethnic dancing is the traditional dances that are an expression of the people in a community. We are going to see a Carpatho-Rusyn ethnic dance. Show video. What do you think that dance was called? What do you think it is about? This dance is called Kozacko. It is a traditional dance done at celebrations. The boys in the village come together to determine who is the best dancer in an acrobatic display of strength, agility, and stamina in order to win over the girls' hearts. What are some dances that you do at celebrations?
C. Concluding Activity

The students will learn a simple Carpatho-Rusyn dance step called the hop step step. You hop on your right foot, step on your right foot (the same foot you hop on), and step on your left foot.
Practice, and practice the step in place. Then divide the students into groups of three. First group will hop step step in a circle, the second group will hop step step in place, and the third will do hop step step turns. Switch groups. Play the song Kaliny from the Slavjane CD. What is ethnic music? What is ethnic dancing?

IV. Evaluation

The students will be evaluated informally through their class participation in the discussion and the dancing.