Sonia Seeman, director
Hannah Baer, teaching assistant
This concert will last about 90 minutes without intermission.
Please silence your electronic devices.
Photography, video, or recording of any part of this performance is prohibited
Sounding Craftsmanship in the Middle East
Program
Fasıl Suite of Instrumental and Vocal works in makam Hicaz
- Peşrev: Ottoman-Turkish instrumental composition by Neyzen Salih Dede (1818–1888)
- Hicaz çiftetelli Improvisations with street vendor calls
- Helvacı (The Helva seller) Hicaz Kanto
theatrical song
Ashley Clark, Evrim Solmaz, and Zeynep Odabas, solo voice
UT Middle Eastern Ensemble choir - Bugün Ayın Işığı (Moonlight Today)
regional song from the Abdal of Central Anatolia; based on the version of Hacı Taşan
Doruk Başoğlu, director
bağlama; voice. - Jadaka al-Ghaithu (May the Rain Fall Generously Upon You)
Andalusian muwashah, Lisan al-Din ibn al-Khatib (14th c., Granada), lyrics
Majdi al-Aqili, composer (Aleppo, 1948)
Abdullah Alqaroot, director, voice. - Ya Ghusna Naqa (O Branch upon the Sand Dune)
Andalusian muwashah; Abu Bakr ibn Zuhr (12th c., Seville), lyrics
traditional melody attributed to Abu Khalil al-Qabbani (1835 - 1902)
Abdullah Alqaroot director, voice
UT Middle Eastern Ensemble choir - Ey Saraban – (O Camel driver) song by Homayoun Khoram
Moeinee Kermanshahi, composer
Oscar Garcia, director
Ahmed Ahmadian, solo voice - Potporri of Thatch-Weaving dance songs from Azerbaijan
Shovqat Aliqulieva
UT Middle Eastern Ensemble Choir - El bahr Byedhak Leh (Why is the River Smiling)
Folk song from Egypt
El Sheikh Imam, composer
Naguib Surur, lyrics
Soraya Limare, voice
Haitham Gabr, director, voice
UT Middle Eastern Ensemble Choir - Two dance songs from Palestine
- Mijana and ‘Ala dal’ouna (Come to our Aid)
Improvised poem in maqam bayati followed by dabka dance song
arrangement by Dr. Hanna Salmon with improvised verse by Dunia Abdelqader
lead dance song verses by Faye Hassoun
new mijana verse by Dayanara Martinez. - Wein Ramallah (Where are you going? To Ramallah)
Traditional Palestinian dance song;
introduced by Dr. Sari Andoni
UT Middle Eastern Ensemble Choir
- Mijana and ‘Ala dal’ouna (Come to our Aid)
- Thracian Kasap (Butcher’s guild dance)
with improvised phrases
About the Program
Bereket Middle Eastern Ensemble is comprised of university students, faculty, staff and community members. “Bereket” is a word with cognates in Turkish, Arabic and Persian that translates as “abundance,” “fruitfulness,” and “divine gift.” Over half of our members are from the Middle East, and all are interested in learning about the culture, history, religions and languages from these areas. Our repertoire includes music from the Middle East, Armenia and North Africa. Each semester focuses on a particular era, area and/or topic. This ensemble is offered as a class that is open to the general public as well as to UT students, supported by the Butler School of Music and the Center for Middle Eastern Studies. Our Fall 2026 concert celebrates the contributions of the craftspeople and laborers throughout the region of the Middle East considered broadly. We thank the Center for Middle Eastern Studies and the Bulter School of Music for supporting our activities.
Musicians
Bereket
Abdullah Alqaroot: oud; voice
Ahmad Ahmadian: tombak; voice
Amira Sefidi; def
Annika Mulkay: viola
Alexis Mitrushi, viola
Ashley Clark: def; voice
Benjamin Rangell, violin
Diego Salinas: cello
Doruk Başoğlu: kaval; baglama; voice
Evrim Solmaz: def; voice
Faye Hassoun: darbuka; def; voice
Fataneh Fasihnia: def; voice
Florence Sung: def; voice
Griffin Romley: oud
Haitham Gabr: darbuka; def; voice
Janet Farhang: def; voice
John Gough: cello
Juniper Katz-Warmflash: cümbüş
Kameel Kishek: alto saxophone; mijwiz
Kim Packard: def; voice
Lila Al-Kassem: def; voice
Mahmoud Ahmadian: kamancheh
Mana Pouresmaeil: def; tombak
Max Geller: tar
Nadia ElBdour: def; voice
Neri Osmanovic: oud
Oscar Garcia: piano; viola
Raneem Mahrouq: def; voice
Rehan Mallick: oud
Ryan Knight: oud
Saina Rezvani: def; voice
Sewar al-Masalha: accordion; def
Shaira Rahman: def; voice
Shovqat Aliqulieva: kanun
Sonia Tamar Seeman: kanun; G klarnet
Yahya Gahbiche: oud
Yasemine Qutob: def; voice
Yasmeen Hamad: def; voice
William Flores: darbuka; def; voice
Zeynep Odabaşı: def; voice
Middle Eastern Ensemble Choir
Sonia Tamar Seeman, Abdullah Alqaroot, & Reema Baraket,directors
Addison Van
Anjum Alam
Ava Burr
Bareera Saif
Dayanara Martinez
Dunia Abdelqader
Elizabeth Poyu
Ghada Housen
Ginevra Muniu
Grace Collins
Hermela Assefa
Ifedayo Abegunde
Kaylie Stevens
Keyana Agbo
Misha Michael Marmo
Natalie Lamghari
Rania Ahmed
Roman Fermanian
Sevval Kara
Sarah Haiemichael
Soraya Limare
Sami Sabbagh
Talia Kabaio
Vivian Fifi Mutty
Yusuf Enes Karaman
Zeinab AlZuhairi
Event Details
Free admission