Cal Poly Arab Music Ensemble to Perform
The Cal Poly Arab Music Ensemble and guest artists will perform a diverse program of music and dance from the Eastern Mediterranean and larger region at 8 p.m. Saturday, May 24, in the Spanos Theatre on campus.
The concert will feature some of the most celebrated instrumental, vocal and poetic repertoire from the Ottoman era to the present, composed and performed by artists such as Fairuz, Philemon Wehbe, the Rahbani Brothers, Elias Rahbani, and Ziad Rahbani of Lebanon.
The show also will present a number of art music genres, including outstanding examples of the muwashshah — one of the oldest continuously performed art music genres in the world. A well-known folksong from Armenia, a lively folkdance from Upper Egypt, and an upbeat folkdance from Greece will also be part of the program.
Student chamber ensembles will be in the spotlight, showcasing their abilities to work in a small group setting. Concluding the concert will be a famous example of the dabke genre — the best-known of Levantine line dances.
Critically acclaimed guest artists will include longtime favorites Assyrian qanun player Ishmael and Lebanese-Syrian percussionist Faisal Zedan. San Luis Obispo dance directors Saundra Sarrouf and Jenna Mitchell will lead their troupe in colorful dances while Keeth CrowHawk leads the percussion section.
Directing the 60-member Arab Music Ensemble will be Professor Ken Habib, a composer, performer and scholar. “Showing the historical interconnection of cultures, the shared traditions of song, with distinguished professionals performing alongside student musicians adds artistic dimension and educational depth to the program,” Habib said. “Having just returned from its East Coast tour and showcase performance with PolyPhonics at Carnegie Hall for the New York Choral Festival, the Arab Music Ensemble is at a historic high.”
Tickets to the concert are $12 for the public and $9 for students and senior citizens. Pricing includes all Performing Arts Center fees, and event parking is sponsored by the PAC. Tickets are sold at the Performing Arts Ticket Office between noon and 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. To order by phone, call SLO-4TIX (756-4849).
A 10 percent discount is given to patrons who buy season tickets to four Music Department events through the Performing Arts Ticket Office; a 15 percent discount is given on tickets to five or more events.
The concert is sponsored by Cal Poly's College of Liberal Arts, Music Department, and Instructionally Related Activities program. For more information, call the Music Department at 805-756-2406.