In this rare intimate session Tenzin and Taro will delve into the music and traditions of the Himalayas, and in particular the songs of Tibet.

While people in the west are familiar with the chanting of Tibetan monks accompanied by horns, drums and cymbals, there is also a rich tradition of secular music, preserved by Tibetan artists in exile.

There are epic bard songs which celebrate Tibet's national

hero King Gesar, classical gar or court music for ceremonies and rituals and lhamo mani, performed by wandering minstrels relating stories through song. Tibetan folk opera, known as ache lhamo, is a feature of many festivals, with performances sometimes lasting several days.

Tibet’s age-old folk and dance music is often accompanied by simple instruments such as the dranyen (Tibetan lute) or

the piwang (two-string fiddle played upright with a bow).

The nomads of Tibet also have a rich lore of poetic songs, known as droklu, the distinctive, powerful, lilting voice being the principal instrument of the nomad, sometimes accompanied by the simple lingbu (bamboo flute).

Tenzin will explain the Tibetan nomadic style of vocal projection and improvisation and teach some simple Tibetan folk songs. Taro will demonstrate bansuri (Indian flute) and describe some of the complexities of Indian vocals and classical composition.

Tickets $15

2hr Workshop of Himalayan tradition and song ( This is not for the evening concert)

with love and gratitude, Danielle