The Department of Music offers three world music performance ensembles: The Indian Music Ensemble, The West African Music Ensemble, and the Arab Music Ensemble. These groups provide an exciting opportunity to learn about world musics and cultures through practical instruction, participation, and public performance. Each of these open year-long courses is available for credit (*3) as part of a music program or as a Fine Arts option. World Music Ensemble courses are also open to the general community through the Open Studies program. While priority is given to students taking these courses for credit, others may enroll as auditors as space allows.

Indian Music Ensemble

Director: Wasanti Paranjape
Instructors: Wasanti Paranjape, Seema Ganatra, Ojas Joshi
3 credits, both terms. Tuesdays, 6:30-9:30 in Studio 27 (FAB 2-7).

The Indian Music Ensemble studies the rich tradition of classical Indian music through group instuction and performance. Members learn the basics of raga (melody) and tala (rhythm) through instruction in singing, tabla (drums), or sitar (plucked lute). Members of the ensemble have the opportunity to attend many workshops with internationally renowned guest artists. Past artists include sitarist Shuhaat Husain Khan and sarangi player Narayan Kalle. The Indian Music Ensemble is regularly featured in the Centre for Ethnomusicology's "World Music Sampler" and the University of Alberta International Week, as well as occasional special events. A set of rental instruments are available to registered students.

Audition: There is no audition for this course. It is available to all students at the University of Alberta with permission of the department. The ability to read music is not required; no previous experience is necessary. Students must come to the meeting for consent in Studio 27 on September 13, 2005 at 6:30pm.

West African Music Ensemble

Director: Robert Kpogo
Instructors: Robert Kpogo, Wisdom Agorde
3 credits, both terms. Wednesdays, 6:30-9:30pm in Studio 27 (FAB 2-7).

The West African Music Ensemble studies the polyphonic and polyrhythmic music of West Africa with a particlur focus on the music of Ewe people of Ghana. This music combines song, dance, and percussion. As each component is crucial to the experience of Ewe music, all members participate as dancers, singers, and drummers. The West African Music Ensemble is regularly featured in the Centre for Ethnomusicology's "World Music Sampler" and the University of Alberta International Week as well as occasional special events. The ensemble is fortunate to own a complete set of authentic West African instruments for use by registered members of the group.

Audition: Auditions will be held during the meeting for consent. It is available to all students at the University of Alberta with permission of the the department. The ability to read music is not required; no previous experience is necessary. Students must come to the meeting for consent in Studio 27 on September 7, 2005 at 6:30pm.

Arab Music Ensemble

Director: Michael Frishkopf
3 credits, both terms. Thursdays, 6:30-9:30pm in Studio 27 (FAB 2-7).

The Arab Music Ensemble performs traditional and modern instrumental and vocal music from Egypt and the Levant. This rich Arab music tradition centers on sung poetry, heterophonic melody, improvisation, distinctive instrumental sonorities (featuring the ud (lute), nay (reed flute), qanun (zither), riqq and duff (frame drums) and darbukka (goblet drums), the Arab modal system of maqamat (including microtonal intervals, and the temporal system of rhythmic cycles, the iqa'at. The course includes a certain amount of theoretical instruction, but learning occurs primarily via group performance and independent listening.

Audition: Auditions will be held during the meeting for consent. It is available to all students at the University of Alberta with permission of the the department. The ability to read music is not required; no previous experience is necessary. Students must come to the meeting for consent in Studio 27 on September 8, 2005 at 6:30pm.