The Music of India Ensemble and the Music of Mexico Ensemble showcase traditional music from these regions on the same stage.
The Indian Music Ensembles focus on the performance of Indian classical music on the sitar and tabla. These are group classes where students begin learning the basic techniques of sitar while learning aspects of ragas, or music pieces. Ragas are melodies that unfold and develop, imparting a particular mood and array of feeling. Students will learn several parts a raga including alap, an improvised, unmetered section that introducing the piece, as well as gats, compositions set to rhythm cycles, or talas. The Music of India Ensemble performs short compositions of North Indian classical and semi-classical ragas (harmonic modes) and talas (rhythmic patterns on tabla). The ensemble is comprised of the students of Rahul Neuman on sitar (a long-necked lute with seven principal strings, plus 12-20 sympathetic strings) and the students of Abhiman Kaushal on tabla (drums).
The Music of México Ensemble features mariachi music in a variety of musical styles from various regions of Mexico, including son jalisciense, son huasteco, bolero, ranchera, and huapango. This performance course is designed to familiarize and expose musicians to the repertoire, technique, and musical styles of the mariachi tradition. The performing branch of the class Mariachi de Uclatlán, was formed in 1961, making it the first academic mariachi group in the world. Since the early 1960s, the ensemble has held an important legacy in the transmission of mariachi music in the United States.
Continuing a tradition begun in 1960, the Department of Ethnomusicology draws on its incredible collection of world musical instruments to present its annual Spring Festival of World Music. It’s an opportunity for student ensembles to perform and share traditional musics from around the world as they master their instruments.
