Florida State University’s College of Music will honor its commitment to music around the world during International Education Month as it presents three ensembles highlighting international music’s unique styles and traditions this November.
“The College of Music has a long and rich tradition studying and performing music that celebrates incredible diversity in how music expresses the lives of people,” said Gregory Jones, associate dean in the College of Music. “Our faculty and students embrace the opportunity to enrich their understanding of culture and share this newfound awareness with our audiences each semester.”
An award-winning national leader in campus internationalization, FSU honors its commitment to international education throughout the month of November with events that celebrate its diverse community and the importance of global connections, perspectives and experiences.
In addition to events and talks hosted by other units around the university, the College of Music will highlight international students and their achievements on social media throughout November.
All performances will take place at 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 16-18 in Opperman Music Hall. The concerts are free and open to the public.
For more information and a full schedule of events, visit https://global.fsu.edu/iem.
Balinese Gamelan Ensemble
7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 16
Directed by Michael B. Bakan, the Balinese Gamelan Ensemble “Sekaa Gong Hanuman Agung” will perform gamelan gong kebyar repertoires, a style of Balinese gamelan music of Indonesia.
The ensemble will perform five pieces: Baris, a traditional composition to accompany the Indonesian warrior dance, Gambang Kuta; Gilak Pemendak Agung, a traditional composition often played in temples that welcome the Gods to Earth to witness ceremonies; Hujan Mas, which means raining gold; and Janger for Sulings, directed by Indra Sadguna, a traditional folk song arranged for Balinese sulings (bamboo flutes).
Brazilian and Steelpan Ensembles
7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 17
The FSU Brazilian Ensemble “Grupo Jaraguá” celebrates and pays homage to a diversity of rich Afro-Brazilian music traditions. The performance will feature a variety of rhythms and musical textures, combining a carnival-style percussion ensemble with strings, choral singing, original choreography by students from FSU’s School of Dance, and a special guest appearance by members of Tallahassee Capoeira.
FSU’s Caribbean Steelpan Ensemble “Mas ‘n’ Steel” will perform a diverse music selection and lively performance. Directed by Abby Rehard, Mas ’n’ Steel will perform a variety of music styles including calypso, Soca, Afrobeat, samba, funk, and more. The concert will feature collaborations with the College of Music jazz students and “Afro-Nyota,” FSU’s contemporary African Popular Music Ensemble.
Old Time and Middle Eastern Ensembles
7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 18
The FSU Old Time Ensemble focuses on the traditional music and dance of North America. Students learn ballads and Appalachian-style fiddle tunes on a variety of instruments including fiddle, guitar, banjo, ukulele, mandolin, dulcimer, and piano and are given the chance to learn clogging and square dancing. The group performs several community outreach concerts each year in addition to their performances on campus.
The Middle East Ensemble’s fall concert features selections of traditional Arab and Turkish music including songs written by the Rahbani Brothers and Sayyid Darwish. The ensemble’s musical mission is to provide opportunities for students to explore other modes of musicality while learning about the histories informing Middle Eastern Culture, specifically in Arab, Turkish and Persian traditions.