The Balkan Music Ensemble focuses on Bulgarian traditional and arranged songs and music. The ensemble includes both a choir and instrumental band. Students learn Bulgarian vocal technique and instrumental ornamentation. There is a mixed choir and a women’s choir that perform traditional and a capella arrangements of folk songs from all Bulgarian folk regions in two-and three-part harmony. The instrumental band performs music from all Bulgarian folk regions. Students who play all instruments are invited including percussionists, who study the unique asymmetrical rhythms (5/8, 7/8, 8/8, 9/8, 11/8, 3/8, 15/8) characteristic of Bulgarian music.

For information about course enrollment, go to the CCLE course website or contact instructor Tzvetanka Varimezova.