Music CoursesMusic CoursesBalinese GamelanDescriptionDates: Monday 19th – Friday 23rd June, 2023, 6.30-9pm Course Fee: £115 (Concessions £95) A unique opportunity to learn to play the sweet-sounding seven-tone Balinese gamelan based at SOAS. A gamelan is an elaborate percussion orchestra, comprising bronze gongs and metallophones which play complex interlocking melodic and rhythmic patterns led by a pair of drums. This particular gamelan, the semar pegulingan saih pitu, is unusually beautiful and is the only one of its kind in the UK. Students will be encouraged to play all the instruments in the ensemble and will learn a traditional piece of Balinese music. With Andy Channing.
Chinese Percussion | Summer 2023DescriptionJoin Beibei Wang, a genre-defying international virtuoso percussionist, in an exciting five-day course on Chinese drumming & percussion. We welcome all levels of experience. When: Mon 19th - Friday 23rd June, 18:30-20:30 BST Where: G52 on the ground floor of SOAS main building Delivery: In-person Join percussionist Beibei Wang on a whirlwind tour of the many traditions of Chinese percussion! From powerful group drumming on big Chinese drums to fast interlocking rhythms played with cymbals and gongs, come make some noise! We will also learn how to read and speak the traditional oral notations and cover some of the history of these artforms. All instruments will be provided. All you need to bring is your curiosity!
Circlesinging | Summer 2023DescriptionThe collaborative five-day course on Circlesinging with Britain's leading Circlesinging facilitator Guillermo Rozenthuler is back! ⭕ When: Mon 26th - Friday 30th June, 18:30-20:30 ⭕ Where: Room TBC, SOAS University of London ⭕ Delivery: In-person The earliest form of community singing, circlesinging is performed in countless different ways around the world. It can involve a lot of things: vocal improvisation, jamming, add-or-change-a-part, voicestra, a drum circle for singers, or simply make-it-up singing. In any case, circlesinging is beautiful and quite a mistake-free zone, so you don't need to worry about being a bad singer... It doesn’t matter how you sound – the rest of the group makes you sound awesome! Ready to tap into your inner artist? Come and join the circle!
Classical Indian Singing | Summer 2023DescriptionMusical expression through the voice forms the foundation to the art of Indian Classical Music. Renowned singer Mehboob Nadeem will bring you a week of focused and inspiring vocal training. When: Mon 26th - Fri 30th June, 18:30-20:30 BST Where: SOAS University of London. Room TBC Delivery: In-person Level: Suitable for all levels This course offers introduction to Classical Indian voice culture and singing styles, as well as the melodic concept of the raag, including composition and improvisation within a given raag (mode). There will be: 🇮🇳 basic theory 🇮🇳 traditional warm up exercises 🇮🇳 learning about the rhythmic structures 🇮🇳 in-depth practical work on two raags, and more... Mehboob Nadeem was born into a highly illustrious family of traditional musicians of the Agra Gharana. Fortunate enough to be taught by some of the greats of Indian music, he has developed into a gifted sitarist & vocalist with a keen aesthetic sense. His performances as a sitar player and singer are unique & inspiring, and he also teaches regularly.
Cuban Music Big Band | Summer 2023DescriptionWhatever your instrument, here’s a chance to play some classic Cuban styles: Son, Mambo, Cha Cha Cha, Latin Jazz… The course looks at rhythms, structure, arrangement & improvisation within those musical forms. Award-winner Sara McGuinness, and her supportive gang of musicians spanning all abilities, will give you the most immersive intro to Cuban Music you need. One of our most popular courses, sessions will be varied, hands-on and a LOT of fun! When: Monday 3rd - Friday 7th July, 2023, 6.30 - 8.30pm Where: Room TBC Delivery: in-person Level: All levels & instruments (arrangements customized to instruments present) The Cuban Music Big Band has been an important part of SOAS for over a decade now: From the annual Summer School, it spawned a weekly workshop. And the workshop led to Orquesta Estelar, one of the hottest live Latin bands in London. Come and join the band! Tickets are below, but won't be there for long – so register ASAP! You will learn the true function of your instrument in the ensemble, common chord progressions, and musical structure. We will also provide you with further listening to continue your journey into the world of Cuban Big Band as well as instrument and module-specific learning.
Meet your teacher Sara McGuinness is well known on the UK Salsa scene and has played written and arranged for many of the top bands in the country. Sara has also studied in Cuba and played with many musicians there. Sara also runs Malecon Productions, providing workshops and educational materials in the field of Cuban and related music in Universities, Schools and Colleges, teaches Performance in Latin, African and Caribbean Music in Westminster University, Cuban Piano at SOAS, and Sound recording at Gateway School of Recording, SOAS and the National Conservatoire in Bamako, Mali.
East European songs of the Steppes and the ShtetlDescriptionDates: Sunday 11th June, 2023 Course Fees: Morning session (10.30am - 1.30pm) Yiddish Songs - £30 Afternoon session (2.30 - 5.30pm) Russian Songs - £30 Full day pass (10am - 5.30pm) £50
Yiddish Songs (10.30am - 1.30pm) Yiddish, the 1000-year-old language of the Jews of Eastern Europe, is flourishing, as people young and old, Jewish and non-Jewish, explore its rich cultural heritage. Some of the songs come from the Yiddish theatre and cinema or describe the diverse lives of Jewish people across Eastern and Central Europe and all the countries they have emigrated to – their history, hopes, memories, politics, celebrations and resistance to oppression. Others are are spiritual and liturgical, particularly the nign – a melody that is believed to change consciousness. Join us in singing traditional and new Yiddish songs while also paying attention to the specific elements (ornamentation, phrasing, modes) of this singing style. With Polina Skovoroda-Shepherd Russian Songs (2.30 - 5.30pm) Russian folk songs embrace the whole of the landscape and all of Mother Earth. Lyrical songs call to mind the vastness of Russian topography stretching toward a boundless horizon. In Russian folklore, every snowflake and every blade of grass embodies the spirits of nature – and this connection is felt within each folk song for ritual pagan holidays, exorcism and sibylline song, circle dance, laments, wedding and lyrical songs... Come and experience the Russian landscape through song! Music lovers of all backgrounds and singing levels are invited, no experience necessary. Learning by ear. With Polina Skovoroda-Shepherd
Guzheng | Summer 2023DescriptionWhen: Mon 3rd - Fri 7th July, 18:30-20:30 BST Where: Room TBC Delivery: in-person Join this workshop for all levels led by Muqi Li, an experienced guzheng performing artist, educator, and improviser. Whether you are just curious and want a taster of guzheng playing (learning basic fingering and a simple tune), whether you have some experience, but want to reinforce the fundamental techniques, or if you need help progressing to intermediate/advanced level, then this is the workshop for you. Two of the main guzheng schools, i.e. Shandong guzheng from northern China and Chaozhou guzheng from southern China, will be introduced in this workshop. You will learn these two very different styles.
Indian Tabla | Summer 2023DescriptionSOAS is extraordinarily privileged to have an ongoing affiliation with the viruosic tabla maestro and Head of the Banaras Gharana, Sanju Sahai. Join us for a spellbinding five-day Tabla course for beginners and intermediate players, led by Sanju Sahai. When: Mon 3rd - Fri 7th July, 18:30-20:30 BST Where: Room TBC Delivery: in-person Known to be the world's most expressive drum, Tablas with their unique and powerful melody are the backbone of Classical North Indian (Hindustani) music. This course is an introduction to basic drumming techniques and rhythmic structures (taal) of Indian music. It's got everything to have your back: theoretical lessons, hands-on sessions, and all instruments given.
About the instrument Tabla drums are played in pairs: The lower-pitched bayan is a copper/clay drum with a 10” head, whereas the higher-pitched dayan is wooden with a 6” head. Legend says the Tabla was born 500 years ago in India when a larger, two-headed drum was dropped and broken into two pieces.
Meet the teacher Sanju Sahai, also known as Vishnu, is one of the finest tabla players in the UK. As the son of legendary Pandit Sharda Sahai, he represents the 6th generation of Tabla players in the Benares Gharana lineage. A child prodigy, Sanju gained his Bachelor of Music at the age of 13 and a Master of Music by the time he was 18. Over the years, he has been combining his Tabla skills with different genres such as Jazz, Egyptian, Flamenco, Opera, hip hop, and folk whilst collaborating with famous international musicians to deliver the mesmerising music he delivers.
Maqam Ensemble | Summer 2023DescriptionLearn to play this Middle Eastern music, based of the melodic concept of maqam. The five-day course will cover the principles of improvisation, Introduction to Middle Eastern music Maqams (modulations), Arabic music forms and selected pieces from the Arabic music repertoire. When: Mon 3rd - Fri 7th July, 2023 Where: Room TBC Delivery: in-person Level: All instruments and levels welcome The musical heritage spread from North Africa to Central Asia, generally referred to as “maqām”, unites the region, regardless of territorial, linguistic and religious differences. Iranian and Arab music traditions have long been two of the most important pillars of this vast shared culture, always keeping in time with the present while rooted in the past.
Middle Eastern Percussion (Darbuka) | Summer 2023DescriptionThe moment you've been waiting for is here... tickets now on sale for our Darbuka course with the renowned Louai Alhenawi! The course will introduce basic playing techniques, essential rhythms and an overview of Middle Eastern percussion. When: Mon 26th - Fri 30th June, 6:30 - 8:30pm Where: Room TBC Delivery: in-person Level: all levels welcome The darbuka, a hand-drum common throughout the Arab cultural sphere, originated from the Middle East around 2000 years ago. A skilled player can tease a complex range of sharp and deep sounds from this goblet shaped drum. It is an easy instrument to learn and yet has a surprising emotional range. Meet your teacher With Louai Alhenawi, a Syrian-born performer, teacher and composer. He specializes in the ney (Arabic flute), Arabic percussion (dabuka, daff and riqq) and Middle Eastern music. Louai studied at the eminent Damascus Conservatoire, where he also spent a year teaching, and held the position of ney soloist in the Syrian National Symphony Orchestra and the National Arabic Orchestra. Since moving to the UK in 2002 Louai has been directing Middle Eastern music and percussion workshops for all age groups and in a variety of settings, promoting Arabic music and culture in an accessible and enjoyable way.
Mongolian Overtone Singing | Summer 2023DescriptionA weekend workshop on Mongolian Throat Singing with experienced Khöömii singer, Michael Ormiston When: Sat 24th - Sun 25th June 2023, 10-12:30, (lunch 12:30-1:30) 1:30 - 4pm Where: Room TBC Honoured by UNESCO,Mongolian Khöömii is a style of overtone/harmonic voicing where one person voices multiple distinct pitches simultaneously. It originates from the central Asian plateau, particularly the Altai & Sayan mountain regions of Mongolia and Tuva. The nomads of these parts have discovered how to sing melodies initially inspired by the imitation of their intimate connections to their natural surroundings: mountains, streams, animals, lakes, and the harsh winds of the steppe... both physically and within their belief systems. This workshop enables you to sing and listen to your own overtones, discovering unknown depths and heights of your voice through these enchanting sounds. So if you're curious to explore your vocal harmonics this way, join us this June.
Roma Music | Summer 2023DescriptionDates: Monday 19th - Friday 23rd June 2023, 6.30-8.30pm Course Fee: £115 (full), £95 (concession) Whatever your instrument, here's a chance to play some authentic Roma music from virtuosic Serbian Roma Violinist Branko Ristic, and accordionist Faith Ristic. The course will look at melodies, improvisation, trills and rhythms within different pieces. All levels and instruments welcome - arrangements and tuition will be customized to the instruments present. Branko Ristic, 'a performer that Paganini would be proud of' [BBC Radio 3], is one of the few Roma Violinists performing in the UK, and is recording artist on Emir Kusturica's films. He and Faith are releasing their next album with assistance from The No Smoking Orchestra [Riverboat Records], and have a hands on, authentic approach to teaching the specific elements of this music. To get a bit more of a taste of the course - see this short video Read more about Faith and Branko - on their website
Senegalese Sabar Drumming | Summer 2023DescriptionThe summer you’ve been waiting for is fast approaching with a golden five-day opportunity to try your hand at Sabar Drumming with Senegalese master drummer Modou Diouf, on tour of the UK this summer! When: Mon 3rd - Fri 7th July, 18:30-20:30 BST Where: Room TBC Delivery: in-person Level: All levels welcome; no previous experience required
Instruments will be provided 🥁 Carved from Dimb wood with a goatskin head attached by seven pegs and a clever lacing system that allows for tuning, Sabar drums are played with a stick in one hand and the palm of the other. A form of drumming once exclusively reserved for Senegalese royalty, Sabar music is today found at all kinds of social events including weddings, birth ceremonies, and most especially wrestling matches! The thrilling rhythms define the jaw-dropping Mbalax sound played by popular artists like Youssou N'Dour and Baaba Maal. Meet your teacher Modou Diouf has performed at several international and local events and tours in the UK with his family group, Jappo. He is a very charismatic and patient teacher who can engage all levels of players within a class with humour, passion and expertise - you will be amazed at how much you will learn in just one week!
West African Kora | Summer 2023DescriptionCome to a captivating 1-day Kora course with Kadialy Kouyate When: Sunday 11th June, 10 - 5.30pm (with 1.5 hour lunch break) Where:Room TBC Delivery: In-person Level: Beginner & Intermediate
The Mandinka kora is a unique instrument with 21 strings that classy people play. Although it sounds like a mix of lute and harp, its intricate playing style is closer to flamenco guitar.
Zimbabwean Mbira (Thumb Piano) | Summer 2023DescriptionGood news – the Mbira workshop for 2023 is back! Your teachers Linos Wengara and Tim Lloyd have a lifetime's experience with Zimbabwean traditional music and spiritual culture and will guide you through this introduction to a very special instrument. When: Sat 24th - Sun 25th June, 10am - 4pm (with 1 hour lunch break) Where: Room TBC Delivery: In-person Level: Beginner, but offers progression & deeper insight for intermediates Mbira, the national instrument of Zimbabwe, is used in Shona spiritual ceremonies to call upon the spirits passed down through generations, through a repertoire of ancient songs. More recently, it has also found its way into popular music. In this wonderful course, you will: - learn some of those ancient songs, progressing to add vocals & variations - study new ways of hearing melodies & polyrhythms - discuss the spiritual meanings & culture of Mbira music
Original instruments will be available for use or purchase. Born in Zimbabwe, Linos enjoyed much demand for spiritual sessions as a young mbira player. He came to England in 1997 and has since played with artits like Chartwell Dutiro, Stella Chiweshe and Thomas Mapfumo as well as establishing his own groups, and leading regular workshops. Linos will be ably assisted by his longterm collaborator, the talented musician Tim Lloyd.
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