16 April 6 – 8 pm

Evening Concert Featuring Indian Vocal

• Artist: Jayasree Sengupta
• Venue: Asian Music Centre
• Ticket : £3
• Contact: AMC Education Team 020 8749 9584 or info@amc.org.uk

• Venue: Asian Music Centre
• Fee: Free
• Contact: AMC Education Team 020 8749 9584 or info@amc.org.uk

This practice session aims to provide AMC summer School participants the opportunity to meet up and practice before this summer. The session will include listening to or watching recordings of Chinese classical music, discussing the music and also practicing what was learned during last year's summer school.

2 July at 6 – 8 pm

Indian Vocal Practice Session

(Open to AMC summer school participants specializing in Khyal)

• Venue: Asian Music Centre
• Ticket : Free
• Contact: AMC Education Team 020 8749 9584 or info@amc.org.uk

24 Sep at 6.30 – 7.30pm

North Indian Santoor and Tabla Recital

The santoor is an exquisite 100 stringed instrument, which has been made famous by the folk music of the Himalayan valley of Kashmir. It has been used as a folk instrument there for centuries, but in the last 40 years it has risen to prominence within Indian classical music, due largely to Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma.

Kiranpal is now recognized as a leading disciple of Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma and is considered the principal santoor player in Europe.

Hanif Khan is the son and disciple of the illustrious and highly renowned tabla master, Ustad Hidayat Khan. He has inherited a rich legacy of gats and bols (compositions and characteristic of the Delhi Gharana) from his father under the traditional Indian classical learning system.

• Artists:
  Kiranpal Singh Deoora ( santoor )
  Hanif Khan ( tabla )
• Venue: The Asian Music Centre
• Ticket : £3
• Contact: AMC Education Team 020 8749 9584 or info@amc.org.uk

27 Sep Open Rehearsal Tibetan Tashi Lhunpo Monks: Exhibition / Performance Workshop

£3

* As part of the Open Rehearsal initiative of the Mayor of London's Office

10am – 4.30pm
Tibetan Sand Mandala Exhibition and workshop
Tibetan Culture Exhibition

6 – 7.30pm
Introduction to Tibetan Monastic life, music and dance

Tashi Lhunpo Monastery, founded in the 15 th century, is one of the most important monasteries in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition. Now re-established in exile in South India, the monastery is once again becoming one of the major centres of learning, best known for its artistic tradition of masked dances and sacred music.

You will have the rare opportunity to witness the construction of a Tibetan sand mandala - and have a go yourself! Learn about the art of dialectical debate, one of the most important parts of the monks' studies. There will also be an exhibition showing the magnificent dance costumes and masks used in the day-long dances during Losar or Tibetan New Year. There will be a chance to try other monastic arts such as butter sculpture and prayer flag printing.

Come and hear a delightful demonstration of daily prayer and meditation, and some of the instruments in the monastic ‘orchestra'. Have a go at playing the great Dungchen (Long Horns) and various percussion instruments. Learn the intricate mudras – hand gestures – part of the unique Tantric tradition of Tibetan Buddhism.

WED 15 OCT 6.30-7.30pm

The London Uyghur Ensemble perform traditional songs and maqam from Chinese Central Asia

£3

The London Uyghur Ensemble is the UK's first locally-based group performing the music and dance of the Central Asian Uyghurs. Rahima Mahmut's thrilling vocals are accompanied by an ensemble of long-necked lutes, a spike fiddle and a frame drum. Deeply imbued with the Sufi ethos, with its limping rhythms and ecstatic poetry, this easternmost example of the maqam traditions of the Islamic world opens up new musical horizons for its audiences.

THUR 16 OCT 6.30- 8 pm

A WORKSHOP & DEMONSTRATION OF BAUL SINGING, WEST BENGAL

Parvathy Baul

£3

Parvathy Baul is a singer, painter and storyteller from West Bengal. She has performed in her home state Bengal and all over India. She was also invited to participate in several international festivals including Festival de l'imaginaire (Paris) and Ethnomad (Geneva, Switzerland).Her guest appearances include prestigeous venues like the Noh theatre at Kyoto (Japan) together with Kamigata-mai and Kyogen Performers, the World Music Center New York, Chicago University, and Bread and Puppet Theatre (Vermont).

You will have a rare opportunity to listen to Baul singing from West Bengal. The musician will also be giving a beginner workshop where everyone is welcome to try the Baul singing style.

22 Oct: 6.30 – 7.30pm

North Indian Vocal Concert

Vocal recital by Dr Vijay Rajput, artistic director and resident vocal teacher of Gurukul in Newcastle – upon –Tyne.

Vijay Rajput is a direct disciple of Pandit Bhimsen Joshi and is well known as a performer and teacher of Indian classical vocal.

• Artists:
  Dr Vijay Rajput (khyal)
  Hanif Khan (tabla)
• Venue: The Asian Music Centre
• Ticket : £3
• Contact: AMC Education Team 020 8749 9584 or info@amc.org.uk

Wed 29 th Oct 6.30-7.30

Understanding Beijing Opera - Talk and Demonstration
Kathy Hall

£3

Have you ever been baffled by the gestures, colours, and use of voice in Beijing Opera? Actor Kathy Hall, founder of the London Jing Kun Opera Association,

will unravel the mystery behind the role types, movements, music, painted-faces, and the intricacies of the stage conventions for you. This ‘guided tour' of the main aspects will take you a step further in the appreciation and understanding of this traditional art form.

WED 12 th NOV 6.30-7.30pm

Art of Japanese Taiko
Liz Walters

£3

A one hour Talk and Demonstration about the Art of Japanese Taiko (with a chance to experience - hands on)) by Liz Walters and Members from the Tamashii School of Taiko.

Liz Walters first began playing Taiko in 1996 with Mugenkyo, Britain's first professional Taiko Performance Group. Since then she has gone on to perform worldwide with established percussionists and musicians. In March 2000 Liz formed Tamashii Daiko, Britain's only all female Taiko Drumming group and was invited to perform extensively around the UK.

This evening's talk will include: History of Taiko – Taiko as an Art Form & Discipline – Taiko Demonstration – A chance for audience participation!

‘ FREE SESSION OPEN TO ALL TEACHERS!' 

Asian Music Circuit would like to offer a FREE Indian vocal session with acclaimed Indian Thumri singer, Purnima Chaudhuri.

Wednesday 26th November 08 Time: 4.30 – 7.30pm

Venue: Asian Music Centre
Add: 1-2 Bradford Road, London W3 7SP

A unique opportunity for teachers to learn about Indian singing from the famous classical singer and teacher from Calcutta, Purnima Chaudhuri.

This session will offer a guide to Indian vocal music, introducing warm up exercises for the voice and some examples of musical compositions in the Indian classical and light classical styles. She will teach some accessible compositions which teachers can then teach to their choirs and students and she will discuss the teaching methods in Indian music.

Purnima will be also teaching Thumri singing during the AMC Winter School from Thu 27 th – Sun 30 th November 08 at Asian Music Centre.

Purnima Chaudhuri is a distinguished semi classical vocalist of Thumri , Dadra, Tappa and other forms of ‘ light classical' music from Banaras. Purnima has trained under the illustrious Smt. Girja Devi. A rare feature of Purnima's music is the blend of skilful improvisations, rhythmic patterning and emotional delicacies.This is a great opportunity to learn from this inspirational master musician.

She will be performing at the Purcell Room on 29 th November 08.

Ulhas Kashalkar is one of the prime representatives of Gwalior and Jaipur Gharanas , Gifted with a melodious voice, with superb flexibility. Ulhas Kashalkar's music appeals to every music lover. His style is especially noted for pure traditional rendering blended with his own aesthetic interpretation.

He will also be performing at the Purcell Room on 29th November 08. A date not to be missed!

Suresh Talwalkar is one of the greatest Tabla exponents of the present times. As an accomplished artist and as a Guru, he has contributed immensely to the glorious tradition of Indian Classical Music. He will be performing at the Purcell Room on 29 th November 08.