2004 programs and events

American Musicians Perform "Porgy and Bess" in Minsk

The "American Voices" musical duo John Ferguson and Ira Spaulding performed before capacity audiences during concerts in Minsk on April 19 and 21. In cooperation with the Belarusian State Academy of Music, they performed a program of works by American composers: "The Life of Christ," by Roland Hayes, and excerpts from the American musical "Porgy and Bess," by George Gershwin.

In remarks at the April 19 concert, U.S. Ambassador George Krol, speaking in Belarusian, thanked the administration, faculty, and students of the Academy of Music for their continuing support for joint Belarusian-American cultural events. He said the concert, which marked the fourth joint project carried out by the U.S. Embassy and the Academy, reflected "the best in musical talent of our two nations." Ambassador Krol also announced a gift to the Academy of U.S. music including a broad selection of some of America's most popular music -- including Broadway and jazz.

The not-for-profit organization, "American Voices," is dedicated to the promotion of quality American music. Since 1992, the musicians of "American Voices" have reached an audience of millions through concerts, workshops and master classes, special projects, and radio and
television broadcasts throughout Europe, Asia, Latin America and the Middle East.

During their visit to Minsk, Ferguson and Spaulding also addressed a news conference and conducted master classes for music students at the Belarusian State University of Culture and the boys choir of the music college affiliated with the Academy of Music.