Oakland University Archives and Special Collections
OU.ARTSREC.SLAVIC.2
Table of Contents
Summary Information
- Repository
- Oakland University Archives and Special Collections
- Title
- Slavic Folk Ensemble Collection
- ID
- OU.ARTSREC.SLAVIC.2
- Date
- 1963-1993
- Extent
- 4.5 Linear feet
- Language
- English
Preferred Citation
Item, folder title, box no., Slavic Folk Ensemble records, Oakland University Archives.
History
The Slavic Folk Ensemble began in 1961 when a group of undergraduate Russian Language majors participated in the Oakland University Fine Arts Festival, contributing a fifteen-minute music and dance performance. Originally named the “Russian Dancers,” the group proceeded to perform Russian and Ukranian dances and songs on Oakland University’s campus over the next several years. In 1970, however, the group expanded their repertoire to include music and dances from Moldavia, Poland, and Serbia. This prompted the group’s name change to the Slavic Folk Ensemble (SFE), a title which better-depicted their inclusion of music and dance from a broader variety of Slavic countries, languages, and traditions. This expansion also extended to the group’s range of performance locations, as they began taking their talents off campus. Audiences across the state of Michigan were able to enjoy their work, as well as those in Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, and Ontario. Not long after the SFE began traveling out of state, they began traveling out of the country, both to gain a better understanding of the music and dances they were performing, but also to share their work with audiences across the globe. Their first international trip was taken in 1973 and took several members of the group to Yugoslavia for an intensive workshop on Macedonian dance and culture. Their second trip was more performative in nature, with the group undertaking a performing tour of Poland in 1977 that was sponsored by both the Friendship Ambassadors of New York and the Polish government. Traveling to Romania and the Soviet Union in 1983 allowed the group to undertake another performative tour abroad, with the last performance of the ensemble taking place ten years later. It was in 1993 that the SFE ultimately disbanded, and all performance materials (e.g., costumes, props) were sold to Northern Michigan University that same year. Students were responsible for all aspects of the program: choreography, costume design, set design, instrumental music and chorus. Rigorous performance schedules were reinforced by weekly practices, with student dancers and musicians setting aside a minimum eight hours per week for rehearsals. Ensemble activities were monitored by group managers and chairpersons, all of whom were fully committed to their duties (which were delineated in multiple group handbooks for reference). Serving as the faculty advisor to the group since its foundation in 1961 was Dr. Helen Kovach-Tarakanov. Dr. Kovach-Tarakanov was a charter member of Oakland University's faculty and taught Russian language courses in the Department of Modern Languages and Literatures. Using her role as advisor to the group, she was able to promote a greater interest in Slavic culture, folklore, and traditions across campus and beyond, enabling the Slavic Folk Ensemble to gain status as an accredited course in the Area Studies Department.
Scope and Contents note
The Slavic Folk Ensemble records contains historical items in varying formats, all of which document the 30-year history of the ensemble (1963 - 1993). Although much of the collection is documentary (e.g., correspondence, ledgers, performance flyers, and schedules), the SFE took copious amounts of photographs during their performances and trips, creating multiple scrapbooks and other decorative items. In this way, the collection has been painstakingly developed by its original members, and provides an exceptional wealth of information about the workings of the SFE, both onstage and off.
A primary focus within the records is the facilitation of the ensemble as a student organization, with special emphasis being placed on roles and regulations for student officers and administrators. Steve Talan’s work on The Slavic Almanac (1979) is an example of this emphasis, as the item in question is a fully-developed resource guide for current and future members who are interested in serving in leadership within the SFE. The almanac also provides historical context for the resources used by the ensemble, as it includes lists of local businesses and historical organizations that the SFE relied on for some of their research, costumes, music, and performances. Documenting the ensemble’s performance accomplishments was also a clear priority, given the large amount of flyers, newspaper articles, photographs and scrapbooks that were preserved.
Items within the records are arranged according to function and have been arranged in six series: Administrative, Research, Promotional, Performance, Press, and Realia.
The Administrative series contains materials related to the facilitation and management of the SFE and its members.
The Research series contains materials related to Slavic history and traditional dress which was presumably used by the SFE prior to and during performance preparation.
The Promotional series contains materials related to outreach efforts made on the part of SFE members to increase awareness of and engagement with the ensemble.
The Performance series contains materials which document to the SFE’s performance history. Items related to preparations for performances, documentation of individual performances themselves, and trips taken (both nationally and internationally) are included.
The Press series contains materials (e.g., newsletters, newspaper clippings) from various publications describing the SFE and its performances.
The Realia series contains materials of mixed media created by members of the SFE, and which do not fit into any particular series as listed above.
This collection is also correspondent with the Slavic Folk Ensemble Photo Collection, which consists of three boxes of photographs and proofs. The collection encompasses predominantly the performances, practices, and trips taken by the SFE and its members from 1963 to 1992. Many photographs include information regarding the locations and dates, as well as the names of the participants.
Administrative Information
Publication Information
Oakland University Archives and Special Collections
Kresge Library100 Library Drive
Rochester, MI, 48309
Access and Use note
The records of the Slavic Folk Ensemble are open for research except for certain records restricted by statute or university policy.
Copyright
Copyright restrictions may apply.
Processing
Processed by Emily Benoit, October 2019.
Collection Inventory
Administrative |
Box 1 |
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Slavic Almanac - Policies & Procedures - Steve Talan 1979 4 folders. |
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Correspondence - General 1970-1986 |
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Correspondence - Performance Opportunities 1971-1985 |
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Correspondence - Prospective Shows |
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Correspondence - Thank you letters |
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Costume Inventory 1993 |
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Donors - restricted Restricted accessThis folder contains confidential information. Closed for 75 years after creation or death of subjects. |
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Financial Records - Ledgers - CIPO Acct. 6 folders. |
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Mailing list - Faculty - Staff |
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Management - Slavic Folk Club |
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Membership Lists |
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Summer Highlights - Report |
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Research |
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| Box | ||||
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Short Stories - Fables |
1 | |||
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South Slavic Costumes 1980 |
1 | |||
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Bulgaria - travel/tourist packet 1984 |
1 | |||
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Ukrainian Designs and Stitches - book |
1 | |||
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Yugoslavia - travel/tourist packet 1973 |
1 | |||
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Slavic Dancewear - binder 1980 |
2 | |||
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Traditions and Folklore in Yugoslavia, by Spiro Kulisic - book |
2 | |||
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Promotional |
Box 1 |
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Advertisements - Flyers |
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Recruiting |
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T-Shirt Design |
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Performance |
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Choreography |
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| Box | ||||
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Bulgarian |
1 | |||
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Croatian |
1 | |||
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German |
1 | |||
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Macedonian |
1 | |||
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Polish |
1 | |||
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Romanian |
1 | |||
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Russian |
1 | |||
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Serbian |
1 | |||
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Slovenian |
1 | |||
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Turkish |
1 | |||
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Ukrainian |
1 | |||
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Misc. & Mixed |
1 | |||
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Certificate - Honorable Mention "Most Innovative Program" 1981 |
1 | |||
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Programs 1974-1991 |
1 | |||
Trips |
Box 1 |
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Czechoslovakia - Poland - East Germany 1989 |
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Poland 1976 |
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Soviet Union 1983 |
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Tourist Brochures - Media clippings |
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Scrapbooks |
Box 2 |
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1962-1976 |
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1965-1979 |
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1977-1993 |
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Audiovisual |
Box 3 |
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Slides - 35mm - color 1980 2 plastic cases. |
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Practice music - cassette tapes 23 tapes. |
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Croatian Songs - Bulgarian - Ukranian - VHS |
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Dunav Ensemble at O.U. - VHS Mar. 19, 1983 |
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Dunav Performance - DVD Mar. 31, 1989 |
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Slavic Ensemble - Eastern Europe - VHS June 1989 |
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Slavic Ensemble - Southfield Civic Center - VHS 1982 |
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Twenty minute Tour Sample of Russia & Poland - VHS |
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Ukranian Bread & Salt Songs - Songs Slovenian - VHS |
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Press - Media |
Box 1 |
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| Box | ||||
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Articles - News clippings 1971-1993 4 folders. |
1 | |||
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Realia |
Box 2 |
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Wood plaques - Dancers circa 1980 2 items. |
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Photo collages - framed 4 items. |
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