CulturalFest Countdown: Meet Seattle Iranian Choir

We are less than two weeks from the CulturalFest Performance Showcase on February 2 and are continuing our introduction to the talented performers who will be sharing at the event. Meet the Seattle Iranian Choir, which will be transforming a traditional solo art into choral performance.

Iranian vocal music is usually performed by a solo singer, but choral performance has gained some popularity over the past 50 years. We can loosely divide Iranian music into three styles. The first is the traditional style, usually performed by traditional musical instruments and mostly a solo singer. The second style is the pop style, which is similar to its western version. The third style is folk music which is somewhat between the other two. It is more lively than the traditional style while maintaining its roots and character.

At the CulturalFest Performance Showcase, we are so excited to perform two beautiful folk songs, which we recently performed at a joint concert with the Seattle Peace Chorus: one from northern Iran and the other from northeastern Iran. Both are love songs which also use some elements of the nature such as nightingale, deer, flower, and garden as symbols to explain different aspects of love. One song has 2/4 rhythm and the other has the 6/8 rhythm which is very popular in Iranian music. You may especially watch for the slow traditional 6/8 rhythm towards the end.

We believe that cultural exchanges via music and art can bring together all of us from around the world. CulturalFest is a good example of that. We hope you enjoy our performance.

CULTURALFEST TICKET INFORMATION:

General admission tickets are on sale now for $15 online or in the FIUTS office (HUB 206). Kids 10 and under are free (a child ticket is required). Discounted student tickets are available for $10 in advance ($15 at the door).