Vladimir Gorodkin was born on 19th of July 1952, in the family of an engineer and a dental technician. His parents
had a passion for music. Vladimir’s mother was singing in a chorus while teaching the love for music
to him and his older sister Anna. When Vladimir was 4 years old, he started singing songs along with the
eight track player; which led him to taking part in grade school concerts as a soloist of the chorus, later
on. At 7 years of age Vladimir was first introduced to the musical instrument that became his loyal friend
forever. This traditional Belarusian instrument is called “T S I M B A L Y.”
In his youth, Vladimir took part in a countless number of concerts and music competitions, always taking
one of the first prizes. After he finished middle school, which specialized in English, he went to study
in a special music school for 3 years, and after that to a Conservatory of Music(University) for another
5 years, finishing with honors in 1975. While in the Conservatory, Vladimir, starts to compose his own
music, creating 24 preludes for Tsimbaly and Fortepiano. Part of which were recorded on the Belorusian
Radio with the help of an ensemble which he started working in as soon as he finished the Conservatory.
Vladimir’s music career was the main part of his life at the time. Some of his first important musical
competitions took place at the Exhibition of Achievements of Folklore and Agriculture of the ex-USSR.
In 1972, before the Olympic Games in Munchen, the concert brigade of the Conservatory was giving
performances, during two weeks, to the Olympic sportsmen in the finest sports complexes of the Pribaltic
Republics. One of the highlights of that tour was Vladimir performance on Tsimbaly. His extremely wide
range of music includes tunes from classics to some of the best folk music around the world.
This outstanding musician, as a part of an ensemble of folk instruments, took part on two countrywide
competitions in Moscow and St. Petersburg, 1974 and 1975 respectfully. While in army, Vladimir, takes
an active part in a creative life of his army reserve. He plays in a dance and chorus collective, as well as in
an army pop group, where he takes a role of a drum player. That is when he accepts an invitation to work
for the National Instrumental Ensemble of the Radio and Television of Belorusia, to play as a soloist on
the Tsimbaly and drums. From this moment on starts the most interesting part of his life.
With the Ensemble of the Radio and Television of Belorusia, Vladimir recorded over 120 soloist compositions
on his instrument, as well as made a numerous appearances on the National Television. One of the
most interesting side of the concert life, Vladimir thinks, is traveling to other countries.
He has toured over 20 countries on numerous occasions. Giving performances on stages of Germany,
France, Italy, Spain, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique and many more. After their performances, the
newspapers of those countries have written how much the people have enjoyed their music and Vladimir’s
skills as a musician.
In 1992 a union formed. A couple of great musicians got together and created an ensemble called “Belorusian
Souvenir,” which mainly performed outside of the Belorusian borders. The collective was made
up of a accordion player, base balalaika, Vladimir on tsimbaly, and a soloist singer. For some time
Vladimir and his colleagues were playing in Germany in a big Russian restaurant in Darmstadt, then in
Barcelona (Spain).
Since 1997, Vladimir Gorodkin and his family live in Toronto, Canada.
In Canada, Vladimir continues to work as a musician. From the year 2000 until present he holds a license
to perform at the Hudson’s Bay Company. At the same time, Vladimir also shares his passion for music
with people at a variety of craft shows and festivals, like the “First Night Canada”(Sky Dome), “Russian
Karavan”, “One of a Kind” craft show (Toronto), “International Tulip Festival”(Ottawa), and other
shows around Canada.
In July and August 2003, he released his new Compact Disks called “Musical Destinations” and “Infinity
of Time”.
Since year 2000 Vladimir been sharing his “Music for the Soul” with audiences at different Art and
Craft Shows around Canada and USA. Such as:
Festival of Art (Delray beach), Florida, USA -
2008, 2009;
Siesta Fiesta Craft Fear, Florida, USA -
2009;
Festival of Art (Coral Springs), Florida, USA -
2008, 2009;
Fine Art Show (Orchard Lake), Michigan, USA - 2008;
The Huronia Festival of Arts and Crafts, Barrie, Canada - 2000 - 2008;
Art by the River, Amherstburg, Canada -
2003 - 2008;
Fanfayr Art & Craft Show, Kingston, Canada -
2003 - 2008;
Christmas Gift Art & Craft Sale, Nepean, Canada - 2003 - 2008;
Christmas Markham Decorating Show & Sale, Markham, Canada - 2006 - 2008;
And many more.
