Polish arts event to include premiere of composition

the vindicator

YOUNGSTOWN — The Polish Arts Club of Youngstown’s 74th annual Scholarship Art, Music and Tea Reception will be at 1 p.m. Sunday at the Butler North building, on Wick Avenue at Spring Street, next to the Butler Institute of American Art.

The free event, which is open to the public, will include the premiere of an original composition by Youngstown State University student Dan Brandt.

Composition isn’t every music major’s goal, but it is definitely part of Brandt’s plans.

Inspired by the heritage and stories told by his grandmother, Brandt composed a piece for brass named “Druzyna” after the Polish warriors of Poland in the 10th century.

According to the Historical Dictionary of Poland, a druzyna in early medieval times was the smallest infantry detachment, having about 10 soldiers, and served as the personal guard to the duke in his time of need. It was these soldiers that later became the Polish nobles and decision-makers.

The annual Art, Music and Tea Reception was created in 1935 to showcase the work of Polish and Polish-American fine and performing artists in Youngstown.

Other performers at Sunday’s event will include Barbara Lyras Dubos, a naturalist painter who works in acrylics; Ray Liddle, baritone, singing Chopin pieces accompanied by Jacek Sobieski (both are members of The Opera Circle, Cleveland); and the Trinity Brass Quintet, performing works by Witold Lutoslawski.