Fun at final workshops

By Lindajoy Fenley

When I heard a Jefferson school third grader listening to the ensemble’s sound check say their music sounded both Egyptian and Indian, I knew the last workshop of the tour was going to be good. The kids were primed for it and so was the Israeli Ethnic Ensemble. The only thing left on the ensemble’s itinerary were two classroom conversations at Valley City State University, a short musical presentation at the Sheyenne Care Center on Friday, and their final concert on Saturday, Nov. 13.

The last workshops Wednesday were as fun as they were informative. As always, the students clapped new rhythms, tried out Aviad’s drums, belly danced, and had more questions than time allowed. The musicians played the same pieces and told the same stories they have in the dozens of workshops they’ve done for five weeks. But everything was fresh and lively.

Before Yonnie played a shepherd’s melody on his ney, he explained that ney was an Arabic word for crying. He suggested students imagine a lonely shepherd in the dessert, playing a mournful song as he looked for his flock. He had painted that picture before. This time, however, Avri moaned during the music, “Where are my sheep, where are my sheep?” Sefi bleated. As Yonnie put down his Middle Eastern end-blown flute, he assured them, “I think the sheep returned.”

Later he pulled a didgeridoo from a black case. “I have a surprise,” he said before he imitated a kangaroo jumping, a dingo dog barking, and a kookaburra making an annoying cackle.

In addition to doing workshops for the students of Washington and Jefferson elementary schools, the ensemble also shared their music with special needs students from the Open Door Center on Wednesday. After the workshop, one young woman who communicates by beaming a laser from her forehead to a keyboard and screen attached to her wheelchair slowly spelled out a message for vocalist Talya. “You are pretty,” she said.

I imagine ensemble members will go home feeling very satisfied that they touched thousands of hearts and minds here in the Midwest. At the beginning of this week, Sefi told me he already felt a twinge of sadness the experience would soon come to an end. Halfway through the week, Avri told me that the tour wasn’t like he had expected. He had never been bored. And although Aviad enjoyed meeting people along the way and loved playing percussion at workshops, concerts and coffee houses, it’s time to give his fingers a rest. They are blistered.

Evgeny, the sound engineer, said it’s been one of the best of the four World Fest tours he’s worked. I agree. These past five weeks have been excellent and I’m glad three people from Arts Midwest will join us for the final concert.

Vocalist Talya Solan and string player Sefi Asfuri Hirsh give thumbs up to the final workshop at Jefferson School.

Talya Solan leads student dancers while Avri Borochov, the bass player, joins the percussion unit.

Inquisitive students at Valley City's Jefferson Elementary have more questions that the ensemble can answer.

Yonnie Dror creates Australian animal noises on his plastic didgeridoo.