MUS 101-21 - Grinnell Arab Music Firqa Ensemble

1 credits (Fall and Spring)

The Grinnell Arab Music Firqa is an ensemble that performs of a wide range of musics from North Africa and the Middle East including selections from Andalusian art music, religious repertoires (Islamic and Jewish), and popular music. The group is participatory, exploratory, and supportive, so all who are willing to try are very welcome. As the human voice is at the center of music-making in Arab societies, all students will do some singing as part of class instruction. Students will also master key drum rhythms and learn how to recognize and perform in several different musical modes. Both instrumentalists and vocalists may join and students may choose to alternate between the two, as they like. We hope to also offer workshops on instruments from the Middle East and North Africa with visiting artist(s). Heritage language speakers of Arabic and students of Arabic language at Grinnell are heartily encouraged to join.

Prerequisite: Musical background preferred, but not required. If not proficient on a musical instrument, please join us a a singer. No Arabic language background required.
Instructor: Colwell