Spiritual Music Traditions
of the Middle East
A lecture and demonstration of the sacred music of
Sufism (Islam), Judaism, and the Armenian Church. Demonstrating on the
Oud (Middle Eastern lute) or with the ensemble, Yuval Ron presents ancient
Hebrew prayers, sacred Sufi (Islamic) melodies and
Armenian Christian Church. He discusses how these sacred music styles are
constructed and the inter-relationship and mutual influences they
shared.
Music
as a Catalyst for Sacred Prayer and Ecstasy.
An Ensemble demonstration which focus on the Sufi
practice of moving prayer-meditation (Whirling) and the use of
sound in sacred trance settings
from Turkey to
Morocco. Also there will be a comparison and contrasting with Hasidic-Jewish
music and trance dance and a demonstration of the Armenian Church chants
and their meditative power. During this workshop the ensemble
invite volunteers to participate in the whirling movement to live devotional
music.
Muslim, Jewish and Christian Harmony in The Golden Age of Spain
A musical evening with Yuval Ron
The fascinating journey of the Oud (Middle Eastern Lute) from Baghdad,
Iraq to Andalusia, Spain and the amazing master musician who changed
the music of Europe. A lecture and demonstration of the Jewish and Arabic
music originated from Andalusia and the 600 years of Arab role in Spain
as well as the mutual influences between these traditions and the Christian
music tradition of Spain.
The Mysticism of Sound
Composer, record producer, performer and teacher
Yuval Ron shares sacred Sufi (Islamic) chants and ancient Hebrew prayers
as he discusses the
history of the music and the ways in which these two traditions create
a devotional trance. Participants discover how to use sound to side
step the brain and to use the heart for the experience of sound meditation
and prayer of Unity and Oneness.
Sound Meditation as a Way for Learning Peace
Experiencing live sound meditations, participants will encounter various
challenges leading to the expansion of the mind and consciousness to
the point of peacefulness. Learning the way and nature of Peace via
the experience of Sound.
Musical Improvisation and Spirituality
Why is it such that many of the top improvising musicians have been
also spiritual people ? From John Coltrane to Nusrat Ali Fatah Khan
we find
the same peculiar phenomenon. What is the connection between improvising
and the mystical experience. Exploration of the concept of being a
vessel, being an instrument.
Klezmer & Gypsy Music Connection
A discussion of the origin of Klezmer, a Jewish East European music
style and the history of the Gypsies, their music and the point of
meeting and
mutual influence of the two. Musical samples will be played from various
recordings. Please provide a large map of the world to facilitate the
discussion.
Music of the Bedouins
An introduction to the traditional music of the Nomads people of the
Middle Eastern deserts. Yuval will share field recordings done in
the desert dunes,
stories of travels with the Bedouins and a discussion of their relationship
with women, nature and with the Israelis and Egyptians who control their
tribal land.
The Art of the Mawal
A demonstration the Middle Eastern improvisational vocal style called
Mawal, which has a close relation to Jewish cantorial vocal style.
Participants
will learn about Middle Eastern vocal technique and study sacred and
folk songs from Lebanon, Egypt, Syria and Iraq.
Learn Arabic Popular Songs
Learn to sing folk songs from Egypt, Turkey and Lebanon while becoming
familiar with the meaning of the songs lyrics and through it with the
cultures of the Middle East.
Vocal Master Class
An introduction to Middle Eastern singing styles including a presentation
of various vocal styles of Turkey, Yemen, Egypt and Israel. An exploration
of scales system, rhythms and ornamentation, typical in these cultures.
Rhythms of the Middle East
A demonstration of the various rhythms used in Middle
Eastern music and the unique drums being used in the area. Participants
will learn trance
rhythms from Iran and how to count ‘exotic’ beats like
7/8, 10/8, 9/8 and to play them on their own drum.
The Magic of Armenian Woodwinds
A presentation of traditional Armenian shepherd mountain music and Armenian
Church chants, adapted to the unique Armenian woodwind instruments Shvi
(flute) and duduk. Participants will learn to play several tunes on their
own instruments and discuss the history of this ancient musical tradition.
Central Asia: A musical Journey through Iraq, Turkey, Uzbekistan and
Armenia
A lecture and demonstration of instrumentation, rhythmic
patterns, harmonic implications, singing/playing techniques, as well
as the influence of
these cultures on each other’s music.
Landscape and Sound – Middle Eastern Music:
The Fruit of the Desert
A lecture and demonstration of Bedouin music and its relationship with
the desert environment.
Middle Eastern Styles and Improvisation
A group master-class in Middle Eastern music
styles and expressive improvisational techniques.
Participants will be encouraged to participate in accompaniment and improvisation
along with the ensemble members.
Sounds of the Myth-Creating Music Based
on Creation Myths
A workshop, using myths as a starting point, participants
will create a “soundtrack” for the narrative story of the
myth. Participants need to bring their instruments and need to be able
to improvise. Possible
movement work as well.
Islam and the Middle East: A Journey in Music
A lecture and demonstration of Bedouin music, Turkish-Sufi
music tradition, Iraqi folklore and Hebrew folk dance songs.
Cultures, Religions & Politics of the Middle
East
A lecture and demonstration of Jewish, Arabic and Armenian musical traditions
and cultures, within the context of the politics and of the Middle East
region.
Music as a Bridge: Bringing People Together
with Music
A discussion of ways to teach unity and tolerance using music as a platform
for meeting your opponent, your neighbor and the other.
Music, Women, and Peace-Building
A lecture and demonstration of women’s role
in music of the Middle East, and how they can be peace-makers
as women musicians.
Music & Zen-Buddhism,
Sound & Architecture
A discussion of the creation of music based on Zen Buddhist esthetic
and philosophical principle using the on going collaboration of Yuval
Ron with Zen Buddhist priest Hirokazo Kosaka and post modern Butho
dancer Oguri as a model.
Middle Eastern Dance Styles for all Dancers,
from Inexperienced to Advanced
Discussion of the dance styles of the Middle East
and the collaborative process between musicians and dancers. Participants
will learn basic
movement styles including, Israeli folk dance, tribal trance dance, sacred
dance, belly dance and more.
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