ASWAT Choir was founded in San Francisco in January 2000. The founder, Nabila Mango, is a Palestinian American, who is tremendously dedicated and active in the Bay Area community, took the initiative to create this family for the mere love of Arabic Music.
The family grew, but the motive stayed the same. It is to enjoy the music, enhance the pride in the Arabic Heritage and introduce the beauty of that heritage to all neighbors in the community.
ASWAT is a community ensemble for classical and folk Arabic music. It performs Muwashahat (Arabic poetry, sung in the tradition of Andalusia, Spain) as well as traditional and contemporary songs from the Arab World. It features a talented group of musicians playing the Oud, Nay, Qanun, Violin, Daff, Riqq and Dumbek.
Under the prior musical director, Saed Muhssin, Aswat achieved a professional level of competence and made appearances at numerous colleges, universities, festivals and conferences in the Bay Area and Seattle, including the Golden Gate Science Academy.
On February 4th, 2007, Wael Kakish, the artistic director of Kan Zaman in Los Angeles, assumed the directorship of ASWAT as well.
The group consists of about twenty singers and musicians from different parts of the world and welcomes anyone who is interested or even curious about Arabic music.
Aswat is part of ZAWAYA, a non-profit forum that provides instruction and presentation of Arabic art, poetry, literature, and all aspects of the culture.
To support Aswat with your presence, membership or encouragement is a most worthwhile step towards raising awareness of the rich Arabic Heritage and culture through the beauty of its music.
Starting Tuesday October 23rd I will be offering two regular weekly classes in Maqam and Arabic music. Both classes will be ongoing drop-in classes.
Tuesday evenings 7-8pm and 8-9pm at Pearl Studios http://www.pearlstudiosnyc.com/ 500 8th Ave (35th/36th Sts.), 4th Floor in Manhattan. $15 per class $25 for both classes in one evening $65 for a 5-class card
7-8pm Maqam singing 8-9pm Maqam for string players and other Arabic instruments
7-8pm Maqam singing Open to anybody. No experience or musical skills necessary. Each week we will cover a different maqam, and sing through typical phrases used in improvisation, and/or work on a song or part of a song in the maqam.
8-9pm Maqam for string players and other Arabic instruments All string players (violin, viola, cello, bass) welcome; players of other Arabic instruments (nay, oud, qanun, buzuq, etc.) also welcome, as well as players of other fretless string instruments. Students should have at least moderate proficiency on their instrument. Each week we will focus on a different maqam, and students will imitate phrases typical of improvisation. We may also work on an instrumental piece in the Maqam.
Class dates until the end of the year:
Oct. 23rd Oct. 30th Nov. 6th **no class** Nov. 13th Nov. 20th Nov. 27th **no class** December 4th December 11th December 18th & 25th **no class**
Maqam is the system of melodic modes used in Arabic music. I teach by imitation of basic melodic phrases that characterize each maqam, presenting the details as part of the whole picture. To get a feel for how I teach, please visit http://maqamlessons.com
“A maqam (Arabic melodic mode) is inseparable from the melodies and melodic phrases that give it its particular character; hence I present the theory and analysis of maqam through the use of melody, rather than abstract scales or formulas. Melodic phrases, like sentences in spoken language, contain
Salaam ASWAT: Thanks for the add. I enjoyed my brief stay with ASWAT six years ago, before I moved to Sacramento. I hope all are doing well. Regards, Sid
Hi there! Beautiful, passionate musc. Love what I hear. I've been passionate about Middle Eastern music and, especially, Islamic art and the Middle Eastern landscape since '97 and these have formed core elements of my artwork. Music such s yours makes me think of the archaic and I love the intricacy of the sounds. Great stuff! Please chechk my pics - you might find them interesting. Cheers!
In conjunction with my guest performance at the Dec. 1 concert, I will be offering two Maqam workshops in Berkeley, California, on Thursday November 29th and Sunday December 2nd.
Thursday's workshop will focus on violin and string playing (though others are welcome to attend); Sunday's workshop will focus more on maqam singing (though string players and others are also welcome to attend).
Details: Workshops will be held at 5914 San Jose Ave. Richmond, CA 94804 (just north of berkeley, near El Cerrito Plaza Bart station and the Central Ave. exit of 80/580) Thursday, November 29th, 6:30-9:30pm Sunday, December 2nd, 1:00-4:00pm cost is $25 per workshop
please RSVP to Dennis Demakos at: dionysiosdemakos@yahoo.com if interested in attending; workshops have already begun to fill up.
Hi,
It's a pleasure 2 meet you. Thank you 4 ADDing me 2 YourSpace. i'm happy to B. your friend. Keep on the good energy. Have a wonderful day :-)
Peace and Love
B. Eitan
