Alash from Tuva in central Asia will perform starting at 7pm on Friday October 4, 2024 at Stetson Studio One at Vermont Public in Colchester, Vermont.

The concert is a rare opportunity to see and hear masters of Tuvan throat singing (xöömei) who use traditional Tuvan instrumental and vocal music as a foundation to apply complex harmonies, western instruments, and contemporary music. The concert is produced by MS Projects, LLC with support from the UVM Asian Studies Program, the Windjammer Inn & Conference Center, Vermont Public & friends and fans of traditional music from Asia. Robert Resnik, host of All the Traditions on Vermont Public, will introduce the group at the concert.

The concert supports the Tom Sustic Fund at Vermont Family Network, providing support for families with children in life-altering situations.

Trained in traditional Tuvan music since childhood, these musicians studied at Kyzyl Arts College just as Tuva was beginning to open up to the West. They formed a traditional ensemble and won multiple awards for traditional throat singing in international xöömei competitions, both as an ensemble and as individuals. They also paid close attention to new trends from the West. They have borrowed ideas from the West that mesh well with the sound and feel of traditional Tuvan music, while never sacrificing the integrity of their cultural heritage to make their music more immediately hip or commercial.

Alash first toured the US under the sponsorship of the Open World Leadership program of the Library of Congress and the National Endowment for the Arts. They have returned many times to audiences of new and long time listeners. The Washington Post described their music as 'utterly stunning,' saying that after the performance 'audience members picked their jaws up off the floor.'

Alash enjoys collaborating with musicians of a wide range of traditions and genres. Since an early partnership with the Sun Ra Arkestra, they joined forces with musicians from country to classical to jazz to beat boxing. They were guest artists with Béla Fleck &the Flecktones on a Grammy-winning recording in 2008. They joined the Fifth House Ensemble from Chicago for a ground breaking concert series called Sonic Meditations, and have been part of a 'global jam band' which recorded the soundtrack for The Pathless video game. Group member Bady-Dorzhu Ondar teamed up with beatboxer Shodekeh in a live recording of original Tuvan songs filtered through the artistry of hip hop musicians.

Alash has a passion for teaching and promoting understanding across cultures. Their tours often include workshops in which they introduce Tuvan music to students in primary, middle and high schools, colleges, universities, and music conservatories. Children as young as 8 and 9 have learned to throat-sing. One inspired student said 'Alash opened my eyes to a whole new world!'

Group members include:
Bady-Dorzhu Ondar: vocals, igil, guitar, bayan (accordion). Kyzyl Arts College, East Siberia State Academy of Culture and Art. Best soloist, 2005All-Russian Festival of traditional ensembles and orchestras. Best in Maxim Dakpai xöömei competition, 2006. Named People's Xöömeizhi of Tuva, 2007. Grand Prize, International Xöömei Symposium, 2008.

Ayan-ool Sam: vocals, doshpuluur, igil, xomus. Republic School of the Arts, Kyzyl Arts College, Moscow State Pedagogical University. First prize, International Xöömei Symposium, 2008. Named People's Xöömeizhi of Tuva,2015.

Ayan Shirizhik: vocals, kengirge, shyngyrash, shoor, xomus. Kyzyl Arts College, East Siberia State Academy of Culture and Art. Second prize, International Xöömei Symposium, 2008. Distinguished Artist of Tuva, 2009. Named People's Xöömeizhi of Tuva, 2021.

Sean Quirk: manager, interpreter. Studied music in Tuva on a Fulbright fellowship. Named Distinguished Artist of Tuva, 2008.

Admission is by suggested donation of $25. Reservations are recommended. Reservations and information at mark.sustic@gmail.com or 802-233-5293.

Video sample 'Ediski deg Boostaamny' (My Throat, the Cuckoo): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sK0npp2NLaY

Event Info

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Jan 6, 2025, 8 to 9:30 AM

Jan 6, 2025, 6:30 PM