Difference between revisions of "University of Alberta Middle Eastern and North African Music Ensemble"

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'''Note:  In Fall 2012 the course will be offered as Music x42 (specialized ensemble) for 3 credits''<br>
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'''Note:  In Fall 2012 the course will be offered as Music 506 for 3 credits''<br>
 
New members [[MENAME prospective students | click here]] for more information.
 
New members [[MENAME prospective students | click here]] for more information.
  
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MENAME (Middle Eastern and North African Music Ensemble)
 
MENAME (Middle Eastern and North African Music Ensemble)
(Music 148, 248, 348, 448, 548)  [Fall 2012 only:  Music x42 (specialized ensemble)]
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(Music 148, 248, 348, 448, 548)  [Fall 2012 only:  Music 506]
  
 
short URL for this page: ''http://bit.ly/MENAME'' or ''http://bit.ly/mename''
 
short URL for this page: ''http://bit.ly/MENAME'' or ''http://bit.ly/mename''

Revision as of 14:04, 30 March 2012

'Note: In Fall 2012 the course will be offered as Music 506 for 3 credits
New members click here for more information.


MENAME (Middle Eastern and North African Music Ensemble) (Music 148, 248, 348, 448, 548) [Fall 2012 only: Music 506]

short URL for this page: http://bit.ly/MENAME or http://bit.ly/mename

Overview

The University of Alberta Middle Eastern and North African Music Ensemble (MENAME) is a University of Alberta course, a group for the study and performance of music from Arabic, Turkish, Persian, Berber, Hebrew, Nubian, Kurdish, Armenian, and other musical-linguistic communities of the Middle East and North Africa, as well as fusions thereof.

Our repertoire covers various gamuts, from specialized "high art" to participatory folk, from local to regional, from old to new. Besides studying pieces from the region (mostly songs), we also focus on regional musical concepts (tonal and rhythmic) in theory and practice, through a series of in-class exercises developing the ears in new directions.

The group gathers diverse members: musicians interested in traditions of the region; university students studying the region's culture, society and history; and members of related language communities here in Edmonton. MENAME was founded by director Michael Frishkopf in 2005 as the Arab Music Group; its scope has gradually expanded to include the Middle East and North Africa.

Technically the course is listed under University of Alberta's "open studies" program, and thus is accessible to anyone who wants to enroll. And everyone interested is encouraged to do so. Neither musical training, nor fluency in musical notation, nor the ability to play an instrument, nor fluency in regional languages is a prerequisite. All I ask is that you make a firm commitment to the group for one full year, and participate with energy and enthusiasm.

Besides regular meetings, there are also various occasions to perform in public. Minimally, I expect all group members to participate in the world music sampler, and in the final concert (see performances link, below).

Download the course outline for 2011-12

Meeting place and time

We meet every Thursday evening, fall and winter terms, from 6:30 to 9:30 pm, in Studio 27, Fine Arts Building (FAB) of the University of Alberta campus (between the Timms centre and HUB mall, and next to the bus stop). Studio 27 is just north of the FAB central stairwell, on the second floor. It's on your left as you cross the breezeway from HUB mall to FAB.

For prospective members

MENAME prospective students click here.

For members

Join our MENAME Facebook group (Note: log into Facebook before clicking)

Repertoire

Things to be practicing for our next meeting.

Near Eastern Ensemble tapes (located off-wiki)

Repertoire content (located on-wiki)

Suggestion box. Please feel free to add...

Middle Eastern Dance pieces

Performances

Performances (2011-12)

Performances (2010-11)

Past concert programs

Media on the web

YouTube videos (NEW)

Other URLs

Arab music URLs

Turkish music URLs

Iranian music URLS

Kurdish music URLs

Israeli music URLs

Dance URLs

Theory

Michael's resources: PDF files providing basic maqamat and iqa`at (rhythms) for Arab music of Egypt/Levant

MaqamWorld: comprehensive treatment of maqamat, but nice coverage of instruments, forms, and iqa`at as well - Arab music of Egypt/Levant

Ja's Middle Eastern Rhythms: detailed treatment of rhythms (you'll find dozens!) featuring a remarkable MIDI rhythm generator that will play any rhythm notated using special symbols to indicate the various drum strokes

General music theory, simple introduction to Western music notation, for those who'd like to learn.

Tutorials in music theory: more advanced training in Western music notation and music theory.

Past performances

Performances (2009-10)

Performances (2008-09)

Performances (2007-08)