Aswat at the de Young JAN 29th
ASWAT at the deYoung
Aswat welcomes the new year with a FREE concert!
Aswat Performance at Korematsu Institute on Nov 7
Aswat to perfom at Eid Diwali Party on November 7th
Now Accepting Applications for Aswat Youth Ensemble Fall ‘09 – Winter ‘10 Session
Aswat Youth Ensemble members of Summer 2009 Session
Zawaya and the Arab Cultural Center of the Silicon Valley present Aswat Youth Ensemble classes for the Fall ‘09 / Winter ‘10 Season under the direction of Aswat Ensemble musician, Dr. Guilnard Moufarrej. Classes start on Saturday, October 17th, 2009 in San Jose. Private lessons in percussion, ‘oud, violin, and nay are also offered. Classes are open to children ages 5 – 18 years old. Aswat Youth Ensemble will be featured in concert on March 2010. To enroll, please fill out the registration form and submit to Zawaya with payment. We are accepting applications now.
Arabic & Iranian Music & Folkloric Dance
Aswat Youth Ensemble
Start Time: 3:00pm
Date: Sunday, June 21st, 2009
Location: Foothill College Theater
12345 El Monte Road,
Los Altos, California 94022
Aswat Ensemble, conducted by Wael Kakish, will perform A Matinee of Arabic & Iranian Music & Folkloric Dance starting at 3 p.m. on Sunday, June 21th, 2009 at the Foothill College Theater, 12345 El Monte Road, Los Altos, California 94022
Mohammad Nejad
Iranian Virtuoso Mohammed Nejad and his Iranian Music Ensemble
Featuring:
Siamak Pouian- Persian percussionist
Asghar Yousefi-Classical Persian singer with ASWAT ensemble
Aswat Youth Ensemble
Directed by Guilnard Moufarrej
Purchase Tickets online from Brown Paper Tickets starting May 5th, 2009
Ticket Prices
Support $100
Preferred $40
General $20
Student/ Youth/ Seniors $15
Students and senior citizens, please purchase the $20.00 advance ticket. You may receive a $5.00 refund by presenting ID at the door.
Aswat Ensemble
Instrumentalists:
Abdoul Hamid Banaei (Violin)
Kristina BenArab (‘Oud)
Hector Bezanis (Nay, Mijwiz)
Loay Dahbour (Percussion)
Mina Girgis (Violin)
Amina Goodyear (Percussion)
Gregory Hamburg (‘Oud)
Sandy Hollister (Percussion)
Saeed Karbassi (Guitar)
Bashar Kellow (‘Oud)
Sarah Michael (Qanun)
Sara Salzmann Mohan (Violin)
Guilnard Moufarrej (Qanun)
Angela Ramsey (Violin)
Husain Resan (Violin)
Steven Sparapani (Cello)
Amro Younes (Guitar)
Vocalists:
Muhammad Arrabi
Wael Behaissy
Lina Del Roble
Nadia Fattah
Hala Fauzi
Danny Fryer
Nadine Jahchan
Ayman Kozman
Marwan Mero
Rana Mroue
Jose-Antonio Nasser
Dilek Seren
Lily Storm
Christine Stouffer
Gunsu Temirer
A Night of Arabic & Iranian Music
Aswat Ensemble
Title: A Night of Arabic & Iranian Music
Start Time: 7:00 pm
Date: Saturday June 20, 2009
Location: McKenna Theater, Creative Arts Bldg
1756 Holloway Ave
San Francisco, CA 94132
(415) 338-2467
Guest Artist: Iranian Virtuoso Mohammed Nejad and his Iranian Music Ensemble.
Aswat Ensemble, conducted by Wael Kakish, will perform A Night of Arabic & Iranian Music starting at 7pm on Saturday, June 20th, 2009 at the Mckenna Theater in the Creative Arts building at San Francisco State University, 1756 Holloway Ave San Francisco, CA 94132.
Mohamed Nejad
Purchase Tickets online from Brown Paper Tickets starting May 5th, 2009
Ticket Prices
Support $100
Preferred $40
General $20
Student/ Youth/ Seniors $15
Students and senior citizens, please purchase the $20.00 advance ticket. You may receive a $5.00 refund by presenting ID at the door.
View Larger Map
Aswat Ensemble
Instrumentalists:
Abdoul Hamid Banaei (Violin)
Kristina BenArab (‘Oud)
Hector Bezanis (Nay, Mijwiz)
Loay Dahbour (Percussion)
Mina Girgis (Violin)
Amina Goodyear (Percussion)
Gregory Hamburg (‘Oud)
Sandy Hollister (Percussion)
Saeed Karbassi (Guitar)
Bashar Kellow (‘Oud)
Sarah Michael (Qanun)
Sara Salzmann Mohan (Violin)
Guilnard Moufarrej (Qanun)
Angela Ramsey (Violin)
Husain Resan (Violin)
Steven Sparapani (Cello)
Amro Younes (Guitar)
Vocalists:
Muhammad Arrabi
Wael Behaissy
Lina Del Roble
Nadia Fattah
Hala Fauzi
Danny Fryer
Nadine Jahchan
Ayman Kozman
Marwan Mero
Rana Mroue
Jose-Antonio Nasser
Dilek Seren
Lily Storm
Christine Stouffer
Gunsu Temirer
Aswat Ensemble
ASWAT
ASWAT Ensemble was founded in the Bay Area in January 2000. Founder Nabila Mango, a Palestinian American cultural activist, has been selflessly dedicated to ASWAT since its inception and, through years of hard work and tireless dedication, has brought together a family of musical ambassadors supportive of her deep love of Arabic music.
In just eight years, ASWAT has transformed itself from an informal community choir to a professional performing group selling out concerts at each of its biannual performances. Born simply from the desire to sing, ASWAT has become an anchor in the Bay Area Arab American musical scene.
The very act of singing itself preserves musical legacies dating back thousands of years, and celebrates songs that express the essential soul of Arab culture. ASWAT’s growth is itself an accomplishment, taking place in the shadow of hate crimes and mounting hostilities aimed at Arabs and Muslims following the 911 tragedy.
ASWAT has enabled musicians to learn and expand their knowl edge of Arabic classical and folk music. It is a forum in which both Arab and American musicians alike form bonds with each other through a shared experience. For the Arab-American ASWAT members, the group is an affirmative collective where they can experience their culture as a living thing that not only brings them pride but serves as a conduit for inviting others to appreciate their often maligned and misunderstood heritage.
ASWAT welcomes anyone who is interested or even curious about Arabic music to learn more by contacting ASWAT at: join@zawaya.org or nabila@zawaya.org.
Nabila Mango: Founder and Director
Jose-Antonio Nasser: Internet Administrator
Danny Fryer and Nabila Mango: Arabic Language Teachers
Aswat Ensemble
About the Music and the Instruments
Aswat Ensemble performs classical and folk songs from various Arab countries. The ensemble plays traditional musical instruments such as the qanun (trapezoidal zither), ‘ud (lute), nay (reed flute), Kaman (violin), riqq/daff (tambourine), tar and darbukkah/tablah (goblet drum). The program features a number of songs using different maqamat (modes). The performance includes muwashsha hat, and songs of major artists in Egypt and Lebanon of the 19th and 20th centuries such as Fairuz, Abdel Halim Hafiz, Abdel Wahab, Um Kulthum. The ensemble also performs folk songs from Syria, Palestine, Jordan, Iraq, and the Arabian Gulf.
GLOSSARY
Debke – linedancing in Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine and Syria.
Darbukkah – goblet shape hand drum
Maqam (maqamat) – mode; an Arab system of pitch or ganization that allows for the construction of melodies and improvisation (taqseem) within a scale.
Muwashshah – a “postclassical” singing form not rigidly governed by the qasidah, originated in the Middle East, and integrated into the music of AlAndalus in the 10th Century
Qad Halabi – a folkloric song based on the melody of an other regional folk song, especially Turkish or unknown older Arabic songs.
Qadim – old (unknown composer)
Qasidah – a poem set to music consisting of 1025 or more lines of poetry Riqq – fish skin tambourine Taqsim – nonmetric improvisation played in a maqam
‘Ud – Arabic style fretless lute
Ya Asmar il- lon
Ya Asmar il- lon arranged by Sari Dowidar. Maqams Naha- wand dokah, Rast dokah.
Asmar Al loon
(The Brown colored beloved)
O you tan skinned lover,
O my sweet brown one.
O my darling Leila,
I’m tired of being tossed around.
My eyes are full of tears and sadness,
and I’m afraid to talk about my longing for you,
for someone may prevent us from being together
From the Aswat Ensemble 2009 Winter Concert, now available on DVD
Rubbama / Unadikum featuring Yasmeen Daifallah
Rubbama Lyrics by the Palestinian poet Samih al-Qasem, composed by Ziad Butros for his sister, the singer Julia Butros. Unadikum Lyrics by Palestinian poet Tawfiq Zayyad, composed by Ahmed Kaabour, featuring Yasmeen Daifallah.
Yasmeen Daifallah is from Egypt and is currently writing her doctoral dissertation in Political Theory , UC Berkeley.
From the Aswat Ensemble 2009 Winter Concert, now available on DVD
Tayr al-Wirwar featuring Rana Mroue
Tayr al-Wirwar composed by Rahbani Brothers for Fairuz. Maqam ‘ajamdo, featuring Rana Mroue.
Rana Mroue is from Lebanon and is currently writing her doctoral dissertation in Molecular Biology , UC Berkeley.
Tayr al wirwar
[The Bee Eater (bird)]
Dear Bee Eater, pass by the loved ones, give them my regards and let me know how they fare.
On the hills of the forgotten sun and the yellow Sycamore leaves,
we fly and arise slowly until the world becomes smaller.
In the fig orchards, November calls.
Often in the silence of the moon, I hear your voice calling me,
I fear my parent may awake one night and the secrets sadly wear out.
From the Aswat Ensemble 2009 Winter Concert, now available on DVD
Mohammed Fawzi Medley
Mohammed Fawzi Medley composed by Muhammad Fawzi (1918-1966).
Maqams: Hijaz dokah, Nahawand dokah, Rast Nawa.
Arranged by Sari Dowidar.
From the Aswat Ensemble 2009 Winter Concert, now available on DVD
Ulli a’mallak ayh albi featuring Husain Resan
Ulli a’mallak ayh albi composed by Muhammed Abd el-Wahab (1907-1991).
Maqam Huzam featuring Husain Resan.
Husain Resan – Born in Iraq, Husain Resan is a composer, musician and a singer. He studied ‘oud at age 14 in Bayt al-Fann in Baghdad and joined its music ensemble at age 16. In the US, he studied violin at City College. Husain plays ‘oud, violin, and bass, he sings and is presenting his first composition tonight “Wajhun min al-Madi”.
Ulli A’mallak Ayh albi
(Tell me what my heart did to you)
Tell me what my heart did to you.
My heart that you are ignoring.
Tell me who I should bring to read my thoughts to you,
and who would listen to my words,my passion, and my love.
Where were you hiding all this indifference?
Could you tell me what’s wrong between us?
From the Aswat Ensemble 2009 Winter Concert, now available on DVD
Santour Solo featuring Mohammed Nejad
Mohammad Nejad, a Persian-born master multi-instrumentalist, was born to a musical family in Tehran, Iran. As a young child, Persian classical music was passed down to him from his father. In Tehran he attended a special high school for musicians, later graduating from Fine Arts Academy in 1976, and in 1990 received a Bachelors of Fine Arts Musicianship and Performance from Tehran University, proficient in both the Western and Persian musical systems. While studying toward the completion of his degree, he was blessed with having master teachers of Persian classical music including Ostad Roushanravan, Ostad Sinaki, Ostad Jankook, Ostad Paayvar, Ostad Tavakol, Ostad Tahmasebiyan, Ostad Moosavi, Ostad Khoshdel and Ostad Baharlou.
He performs regularly with the acclaimed Bay area Central Asian dance company Ballet Afsaneh. He collaborates with many other musicians and ensembles. He has performed throughout Asia, Europe, and the United States, including most campuses of the University of California, the Palace of Fine Arts and the Ethnic Dance Festival in San Francisco, and the San Jose Center for the Performing Arts. He teaches privately and through workshops.
Here he established the Nejad World Music Center, to teach youth and adults in the community and bring world artists to the United States for collaboration and performance.
From the Aswat Ensemble 2009 Winter Concert, now available on DVD
Bil-Ladhi Askara featuring Sarah Michael
Bil-Ladhi Askara a muwashshah of an unknown composer on ¾ beat. Maqam Bayati dokah. Arrangement by Sari Dowidar. Taqsim on cello by Sarah Michael.
Bil-Ladhi Askara
The nights concealed the secret of our passion.
Their darkness could have hidden us forever, but for the
sunlight of new days, when our lucky star fell straight down
with a good omen for a brighter day.
The scent and the tan of your lips sipping from goblets, your
dark and beautiful eyelids, and your teeth like pearls made
magic bow and get closer to your beauty.
From the Aswat Ensemble 2009 Winter Concert, now available on DVD
Al Hubb Al- Awwal featuring Rima Ayyash
Al Hubb Al-Awwal composed by Muhammad Abd el-Wahab (1907-1991). Maqam ‘ajamdo. Taqsim on the violin by Rima Ayyash.
From the Aswat Ensemble 2009 Winter Concert, now available on DVD.
Adduka Al Mayyas featuring Bashar Kellow
Adduka Al Mayyas Qad Halabi of a Turkish folk song on 4/4 beat. Maqam Hijaz Dokah. Music and choral arrangement by Sari Dowidar, featuring Barney Jones, Taqsim on ‘oud by Bashar Kellow.
From the Aswat Ensemble 2009 Winter Concert, now available on DVD
Risalah min taht il-maa featuring Marwan Mero
Risalah min taht il-maa’ composed by Mohammad al Mawgi (1923-1995) for Abdel Halim Hafez (1929-1977). Maqam ‘ajam solo, featuring Marwan Mero.
Marwan Mero
From the Aswat Ensemble 2009 Winter Concert, now available on DVD
Taqsim on Percussion by Louay Dahbour
Taqsim on Percussion by Louay Dahbour
From the Aswat Ensemble 2009 Winter Concert, now available on DVD
Siret el-Hob featuring Gunsu Temirer
Siret el-Hob composed by Baligh Hamdi (1934-1993) for Um Kulthum (1902-1975), Maqam Rahat Al-Arwah, featuring Gunsu Temirer. Taqsim on Nay by Hector Bezanis.
Gunsu Temirer
Gunsu Temirer is from Turkey . She identifies as a domestic engineer while preparing for her CPA future career. She has been in awe of Arabic music and dance since her early teens.
From the Aswat Ensemble 2009 Winter Concert, now available on DVD
Ya Ghusnu Naqa
Ya Ghusnu Naqa a muwashshah on ¾ beat. Maqam Huzam.
Taqsim on ‘oud by Ala Kallel.
Ya Ghusna Naqa
(Oh Pure Branch)
O my beloved,
O you, crowned with gold and pure beauty
like the branch of a tree.
I would give my life to save you from harm,
I swear to you by my mother and father.
You are always in my dreams.
Have pity on me,
you whose love could be the remedy for my heart.
From the Aswat Ensemble 2009 Winter Concert, now available on DVD
Palestinian Medley
Palestinian Medley: Dal’ona, Ya Zarifa at-Tul and Jafra, featuring two debke dancers, Rana Mroue from Aswat and Muhammad Al-Shurafah from Al-Juthoor Dance Company.
From the Aswat Ensemble 2009 Winter Concert, now available on DVD
The Musical Instruments of ASWAT
The qanun (also spelled kanun, kanoon) is a 75-stringed zither used in Near Eastern Music. The sound box is trapezoidal in shape; it somewhat resembles the autoharp, but is larger. It’s played with small picks attached to the forefingers of either hand. A long bridge on the right-hand side of the instrument rests on goat – or fish-skin covered windows in the top of the instrument; on the left hand side, each course of strings passes over a series of small brass levers that are used to make microtonal changes in pitch. The word qanun means “law,” and the word exists in English in the form of “canon.” In Near Eastern music, the instrument lays down the law of pitch for other instruments and singers; the qanun player is often the leader of the orchestra.
The kaman is the Arabic violin. In parts of the Middle East, the European violin has replaced the older kamanja as the principal bowed instrument, partly because of its louder tone. However, the Arabic violin is tuned differently — d G D G instead of e a D G — and the playing style is quite different.
The Arabic tabla (known also as darbukka, derbeki, dumbek) is a goblet-shaped ceramic drum with fish- or goat-skin head. Its peculiar shape enables the player to produce an amazing variety of sounds, according to the position on the head and the finger techniques. Once considered a woman’s instrument, it is now the most popular percussion instrument in the Middle East.
The riqq or daff is a small tambourine with a fish-skin head stretched over an inlaid wooden frame, with five sets of brass cymbals spaced evenly around the frame. The classical playing technique of this instrument is extremely difficult; years of practice are necessary to develop the finger strength required.
The tar or bendir is a large daff or frame drum with no cymbals, another member of this family is the mazhar, a large folkloric tambourine with very large, loud cymbals.
The ‘ud (also spelled oud, ut) is the ancestor of the European lute and guitar; it entered Europe through Moorish Spain in the Middle ages. It is thought to have come originally from Persia, where its direct ancestor was a skin-covered instrument called barbat. When a wooden face was put on the instrument, its name became ‘ud or “wood.” The modern ‘ud has ten or eleven strings. It provided the bass sound in a traditional takht or nineteenth-century chamber ensemble. Still extremely popular today, it is the traditional instrument of composers, singers, and theorists.
The nay is a nine-jointed, end blown flute made of cane. It has seven finger holes (one is a thumb-hole on the back) and is one of the most difficult Middle Eastern instrument. A fine player can produce a large variety of liquid sounds and ornaments; it is an extremely soulful instrument.
Aswat Holiday Concert November 20th, 2004
ASWAT (Voices) the Bay Area Arab Community choir presents a Holiday concert:
Music from the Hearts of Iraq and Palestine
Saturday November 20, 2004 at 7:30 p.m.
College Heights Church
1150 W Hillsdale Blvd
San Mateo
Tickets: $20.00 prepaid, $25.00 at the door
Write check to ZAWAYA and mail to
ZAWAYA
311-41 Avenue
San Mateo, Ca 94403
The concert will include 20 Arab and American singers. Middle Eastern and American musicians on traditional Middle Eastern instruments: Qanun, Santoor, ‘Oud, Tabla, Daff, Kaman, Riq and Nay.
