Orkestra Marhaba
Re-imaginations of Music from the Mediterranean and beyond......
- About MarhabaMarhaba (or 'Merhaba' in Turkish) can mean 'welcome' or 'hello' in Arabic and Turkish and is meant to reflect the sound of this group! Orkestra Marhaba started in 2011 when a quartet of musicians coming back from a concert talked about their shared curiosity around makam - a system of defining musical scales in Turkish classical music. As four minds are better than one, a working group of musicians in the Boston area came together every week with their different instruments to discover and strengthen their knowledge of makam and the world of Ottoman art music.Since then our ranks have grown and modified, and so has our music: Ottoman court music dating from the early 16th century to modern Turkish composers, light classical love songs called şarkı, short strophic hymns called ilahi, dance pieces such as sirto and longa, timeless folk music from the Anatolian landscape, Ayinleri (compositions for dervishes to turn to whose lyrics come from Rumi's Mathnawi) and Turkish folk songs called türkü. Finally, an ever evolving series of original compositions, where our minds can feel free to fly with the help of makam theory.
- Musicians of Marhaba
All the members of Orkestra Marhaba have long and varied musical histories of their own. Read on to find out who we are!
Frederick Stubbs
Frederick Stubbs is a founding member of Orkestra Marhaba, Euphony Groove and The Eurasia Ensemble. An ethnomusicologist specializing in the art of taksim (improvisation), he also teaches music at University of Massachusetts-Boston, and at the Lexington Montessori School. Fred is a native New Englander and uses woods like cherry, pine and maple to craft neys, bendirs, tanburs, cellos, basses and various other instruments.
F. Stubbs picture courtesy of X. Lobosco
Diana Traylor
Diana came to the group to work on her improvisational skills. She played oboe (unusual in Turkish classical music) for a year before she reconnected with the violin after nearly 30 years. Diana is also a teacher at the Lexington Montessori School where she uses art and music to encourage learning amongst her students. Apart from being a musician and a teacher, she is a master at creating clay sculptures of Marhaba members. Needless to say, we can only aspire to be as endearing as her clay creations!
D. Traylor picture courtesy of S.Baliga
Tev Stevig
Marhaba's tanbur player, Tev is a specialist in stringed instruments including, guitar, clawhammer style fretless guitar, banjo, cumbus and ukelele. He plays with a variety of Balkan, Greek and modern ensembles in the Boston area and is currently building his own tanbur. In addition to being a 'string theorist', Tev is also an avid surfer and is constantly on the lookout for monster waves to tame. He has also combined music and surfing successfully by composing 'Makam Surfin' for Marhaba. Learn more about Tev at www.tevstevig.com
T. Stevig picture courtesy of S. Baliga
Shanteri Baliga
Referred to as the 'Timekeeper' with reference to keeping usul (rhythm/meter) during rehearsals and performances, Shanteri plays ney, bendir and sings the vocal repertoire that spans secular and sacred. She has been a student of Fred Stubbs since 1995 and has appeared with a variety of groups and musicians such as Flamenco, spoken word, modern dance and fusion. A graduate of Tufts University and the University of Massachusetts Boston, her interest in world music can be credited to having traveled extensively as a child as well as coming from a family that listened to music constantly.
S.Baliga picture courtesy of X. Lobosco
Mike Harrist
Mike is a familiar musician on the Boston music scene playing with gypsy jazz trio Ameranouche as well as his own band Sol & Kiel. Mike is a graduate of Marlboro College in Vermont and has studied with various musicians such as W.A Mathieu, Stan Charkey and James Macdonald and has also studied with religious scholar Amer Latif. In addition to bass, Mike has also begun an exploration into usul (meter), North Indian classical singing and yayli tanbur. Learn more about Mike's adventures at www.michaelharrist.com
M.Harrist picture courtesy of D. Simons
Volkan Efe
Primarily an ud player, Volkan also plays saz, ney, tanbur, kemençe and occasionally lends his voice to the vocal repertoire. Originally from Turkey, his vast knowledge and innate familiarity with this music has been crucial in helping craft our sound by bringing pieces to add to Orkestra Marhaba's repertoire. Volkan also plays with Cambridge Musiki Cemiyeti as well as other Turkish music groups in Boston and makes sure to keep Marhaba rehearsals and concerts well supplied with baklava. Currently Volkan is on a mission to combine his two greatest passions: electrical engineering and music.
V. Efe picture courtesy of A. Efe
- Past Venues
Since becoming a group in 2011, Marhaba has appeared in a variety of performance venues including:
King's Chapel, Boston, MA
Wellesley College, Wellesley, MA
The Lilypad, Cambridge, MA
Club Passim, Cambridge, MA
Make Music Matter, Eustis Estate, Milton, MA
Marlboro College, Marlboro VT
Tufts University, Medford, MA
Old Ship Church, Hingham, MA
Third Sunday @3 Concerts, Waltham MA
In Celebration of Rumi, Waltham, Cambridge, Newton MA
Lexington Montessori School, Lexington MA
Powers Music School, Belmont MA
Colors of Anatolia Concert, Goethe Institute, Boston MA
Boston College, Chestnut Hill MA
Cambridge Rindge & Latin School, Cambridge MA
Friends Meeting House, Putney VT
Balkan Night, Concord MA
Stone Church Concerts, Bellows Falls VT
Taylor House Concerts, Jamaica Plain MA
Albright Art Gallery, Concord MA
Tales from Another Classic Music, Lexington MA
Mariposa Museum, Peterborough NH
Touch Art Gallery, Cambridge MA
Putney Friends Meetinghouse, Putney VT
White Tulip Health Foundation, Boston, MA
White Tulip Health Foundation, Providence, RI
The Outpost, Cambridge, MA
MIT Chapel, Cambridge, MA
Cathedral Church of St. Paul, Boston, MA
Women Encouraging Empowerment Annual Fundraiser, Revere, MA
Memorial Church, Harvard University, MA
Iranian Association of Boston, Watertown, MA
- Sounds of Marhaba
Scroll down to enjoy our sonic adventures!
At Stone Church Concerts in Bellows Falls, VT
Playing an Anatolian folk song 'Keklik dağlarda şağılar'
At Powers Music School in Belmont, MA
Playing an instrumental piece from the Ottoman tradition: Muhayyer Saz Semaisi composed by Tanburi Cemil Bey (d. 1916)
At Stone Church Concert in Bellows Falls, VT
Playing an instrumental piece from the Ottoman tradition: Ferahfeza Peşrev composed by Muallim Ismail Hakki Bey (d.1927)
At Tufts University, Medford, MA
Playing during the first movement of Suzidil Ayin, a form of music composed specifically for dervishes. Composed by Zekai Dede Efendi (d.1897).
Taksim (improvisation) in Sultaniyegah
During a rehearsal, the group works on beraber taksim or a group improvisation in a mode called Sultaniyegah. Once the improvisation finishes, you hear the first few notes of a saz semaisi in this mode.
ney: Fred Stubbs
yaylī tanbur: Mike Harrist
keman: Diana Traylor
kemençe: Volkan Efe
tanbur: Tev Stevig
filmed and edited by: S. Baliga (2017)
Taksim (improvisation) in Nikriz over an ostinato
Tev improvises over an ostinato set by the group in a mode called Nikriz. After the taksim, Volkan brings everyone back into the main melody. This is a Nikriz sirto (a dance piece) composed by Tanburi Cemil Bey.
keman: Fred Stubbs
yaylī tanbur: Mike Harrist
keman: Diana Traylor
ud: Volkan Efe
tanbur: Tev Stevig
filmed and edited by: S. Baliga (2017)
Taksim (improvisation) in Huseyni
During a rehearsal, the group works on a Huseyni taksim. Once the improvisation finishes, you hear the first few notes of a saz semaisi in this mode.
keman: Fred Stubbs
yaylī tanbur: Mike Harrist
ud: Volkan Efe
filmed and edited by: S. Baliga (2017)
Extended improvisation
This shows how multiple instruments can move in an out of different makams, together in order to create a musical tapestry.
keman: Fred Stubbs
yaylī tanbur: Mike Harrist
ney: Shanteri Baliga
filmed and edited by: S. Baliga (2017)
'Niçin bülbül figân eyler' sarki in mode Hicaz
Şarkı is light classical form in vocal music, with lyrics often focusing on themes of love.This particular şarkı was composed by Ri'ifat Bey (1820-1888) and is played in the usul (meter) Curcuna, which is in a 10/16 time signature.
Niçin bülbül figân eyler bahâr eyyâmıdır şimdi
Açılmış gonceler güller mesâr eyyâmıdır şimdi
Hezâr âsâ figân etme gönül şevkiyle handân ol
Açılmış gonceler güller mesâr eyyâmıdır şimdi
.....Nightingale why do you cry so, spring days have arrived!
ud: Volkan Efe
keman: Diana Traylor
cello: Fred Stubbs
vocals and bendir: Shanteri Baliga
filmed and edited by: S. Baliga (2017)
Nikriz Sirto
Nikriz sirto played over a variation of 4/4 usul (meter)
ud: Volkan Efe
tanbur: Tev Stevig
bendir: Shanteri Baliga
keman: Fred Stubbs
filmed and edited by: S. Baliga (2017)
Uşşak Saz Semaisi, composed by Neyzen Aziz Dede (1835-1905)
This short clip shows a teslim (refrain) of this very famous and much played piece.
yaylı tanbur : Mike Harrist
keman: Fred Stubbs
ney: Shanteri Baliga
filmed and edited by: S. Baliga (2017)
'Bülbülüm Altın Kafeste', Anatolian folk song
This folk song, about a bird in a golden cage, is in Acemkürdi makam and played in a meter called Aksak (9/8).
saz: Volkan Efe
keman: Fred Stubbs
bendir and voice: Shanteri Baliga
Bülbülüm altın kafeste bülbülüm altın kafeste....my nightingale in a golden cage
Öter aheste aheste öter aheste aheste...it cries out slowly
filmed and edited by: S. Baliga (2017)
Acemaşiran taksim
Improvisation in mode Acemaşiran.
yaylı tanbur : Mike Harrist
keman: Diana Traylor
ney: Fred Stubbs, Shanteri Baliga
tanbur: Tev Stevig
kemençe: Volkan Efe
filmed and edited by: S. Baliga (2017)
La Vie en Rose
Orkestra Marhaba imagines what this famous song might sound like!
bass : Mike Harrist
bendir: Fred Stubbs
ney: Shanteri Baliga
ud: Tev Stevig
kemençe: Volkan Efe
filmed and edited by: S. Baliga (2017)
Pençgah Peşrev
A brief window into Pençgah Peşrev (composed by neyzen Salih Dede, mid 19th century)
yaylı tanbur : Mike Harrist
ney: Fred Stubbs, Shanteri Baliga
ud: Volkan Efe
filmed and edited by: S. Baliga (2017)
Ferahfeza taksim
An exploratory improvisation blending right into the refrain of this piece composed by Ismail Hakki Bey, early 20th century)
keman: Diana Traylor
cello: Fred Stubbs
ney: Shanteri Baliga
kanun: Volkan Efe
filmed and edited by: S. Baliga (2017)
'Calling Spring'
Free improvisation inspired by the cold weather!
keman: Diana Traylor
ney: Fred Stubbs, Shanteri Baliga
kemençe: Volkan Efe
filmed and edited by: S. Baliga (2017)'From snow to warmth'
Improvisation in Hicaz makam, followed by excerpt of Hicaz saz semaisi (composed by Veli Dede d.1768)
viola: Fred Stubbs
yaylı tanbur : Mike Harrist
ney: Tarık Ucmaklı, Shanteri Baliga
kemençe: Volkan Efe
bendir: Ceren Turkmenoglu
filmed and edited by: S. Baliga (2018)'Rhythms, Out of Time'
Going from a long 8/8 cycle to a 3 cycle.
bendir: Fred Stubbs, Diana Traylor, Volkan Efe, Tarık Ucmaklı, Mike Harrist, Ceren Turkmenoglu, Shanteri Baliga
filmed and edited by: S. Baliga (2018)'A Maze in Grace Notes/Amazing Grace'
Improvisation around the hymn 'Amazing Grace'
keman: Fred Stubbs, Diana Traylor
yaylı tanbur : Mike Harrist
ney: Shanteri Baliga
filmed and edited by: S. Baliga (2018)'Uzun Ince Bir Yoldayim...'
From the troubadour tradition....
voices: Begum Erenler
violin: Theresa Thompson
viola : Fred Stubbs
ney: Nihat Tokdil, Shanteri Baliga
filmed and edited by: S. Baliga (2018)'Segah in Strings'
Segah Saz Semaisi, composed by Nayi Osman Dede (18th century)
violin: Diana Traylor, Theresa Thompson
viola : Fred Stubbs
ud: Volkan Efe
bendir: Shanteri Baliga
filmed and edited by: S. Baliga (2018)'Modal Birds'
Bird songs interspersed with ney, kemence, violin and cello
ney solo: Fred Stubbs
kemençe: Volkan Efe
violin: Diana Traylor, Theresa Thompson
ney drone: Shanteri Baliga
filmed and edited by: S. Baliga (2018)'Acemaşiran Mevlevi Ayin '
Brief excerpt from the first movement
ney: Fred Stubbs
ud: Volkan Efe
yaylı tanbur : Mike Harrist
violin: Diana Traylor, Theresa Thompson
bendir and voice: Shanteri Baliga
courtesy of: Hinako Sato (2018)'Imaginations in hicaz makam'
viola: Fred Stubbs
violin: Diana Traylor
ney: Shanteri Baliga
At King's Chapel in Boston, March 19th 2019
filmed and edited by: S.Baliga (2019)
'Orkestra Marhaba at King's Chapel'
ney: Fred Stubbs, Shanteri Baliga
violin: Diana Traylor, Theresa Thompson
ud: Volkan Efe
yayli tanbur: Mike Harrist
bendir: Mike Harrist, Shanteri Baliga
At King's Chapel in Boston, August 13th 2019
recorded and edited by: V.Efe (2019)
- Listen to us on Soundcloud!
- Music of Marhaba
The main focus of Orkestra Marhaba's music has been Turkish Classical, Folk, Sacred Music and Art Music (Türk sanat müziği) developed during the Ottoman empire. Traditionally, the main instruments were ney, tanbur, bendir, ud, kemençe and kanun with the addition of keman in later years. In this art music, there are a variety of instrumental and vocal forms. There is also a rich tradition of taksim, or improvisation, which may occur within or between pieces, or accompanied by a rhythm, or sometimes in silence perhaps supported by other musicians.
Unlike the art music, many regions of Turkey have their own distinct variety of folk music. Türk halk müziği, refers to the folk music of Anatolia which incorporates a large number of styles, such as türkü, ilahi, sirto and oyun hava. Typically the instruments used are saz and bağlama, both long necked stringed instruments, zurna, which is a double reed woodwind and davul, a large bass drum played with mallets.
Orkestra Marhaba also plays the Mevlevi repertoire of Ayin-i-Şerif, traditional compositions played during the turning ceremony of dervishes. These compositions, of which 20-50 survive today, are performed in 4 movements over specific rhythm patterns. Finally, a growing amount of our practice is to also to explore and examine original compositions, or to take classical or folk pieces and interpret them in a more adventurous way, perhaps with the addition of a more modern instrument (fretless guitar, double bass) or a change the rhythm.
- The Instruments
Our primary instruments are ney, ud, tanbur, keman, bowed & plucked double bass, davul, bendir, kemençe, cello, yayli tanbur and voice. The instruments all have their own stories and functions and together help to create the sound that is Marhaba!
Close up of the tuning pegs on a tanbur
Tanbur (or tambur) is a long necked fretted instrument that is considered to be one of the 4 primary instruments in Turkish Art Music. The tanbur here is of the plucked variety: mızraplı, the word mızrap referring to the plectrum. The body is typically made from a variety of wood strips formed along a mold over which is a soundboard that resonates. Frets made from catgut are wrapped at intervals along the long neck and 7 strings run from the tuning pegs down to the bridge on the soundboard. The mızrap for a tanbur is generally made of turtle shell.
Lateral view of a kemençe
Kemençe (or kemenche) literally translates to 'small bow', is a small pear shaped, stringed and bowed musical instrument. Though originating as a folk instrument in the Eastern Mediterranean, it has firmly sealed it's position in Ottoman classical music since the mid 19th century. It is played in an upright position placed on the lap with the strings facing outward. Sound is created by pressing fingernails to each string (similar to the Indian sarangi) and drawing a bow across and tuning pegs are placed on the back of the uppermost top of the instrument. The entire instrument is made from one piece of wood.
Box of assorted neys (cane and wood)
The ney is perhaps most closely associated with sufism, Mevlevi rituals and Rumi, however it also occupies a crucial place in Ottoman music as part of the idea of incesaz (meaning 'thin instrument'). The trio of ney, tanbur and kemençe, with the addition of bendir for rhythm are sometimes all that is necessary to create an orchestral sound.
Neys are typically made from cane, is end blown, with a horn mouthpiece (başpare), one thumb hole and six holes on the other side. They are also crafted in different lengths, from 52 cm to 104 cm, with each length corresponding to a different tuning or pitch called akord. The neys played in Marhaba are made from wood as well as the more traditional cane.
Bendir, Davul
Bendir is a frame drum found throughout Turkey and the Middle East and has many 'drum cousins' in other parts of the world that operate along the same mechanism, which is a skin stretched out over a round wooden frame that resonates when struck. Bendirs are played holding the drum in one hand and striking the face of the drum with the other hand. Though historically bendirs use animal skin, modern examples are often made with a synthetic head. Sometimes, there is a snare running either on the inside or the frame of the drum to create a buzzing noise when played.
A davul is a large barrel drum that has skin on both sides and is struck with mallets on both ends. Davuls are mostly played during folk dances throughout Turkey, the Balkans, Greece and the Mediterranean.
It is important to note the position of usul (meter) in this music. There is a vocabulary and a syntax to meter and every piece has an accompanying meter associated with it.
Soundholes and pattern on Ud
Ud (or oud), a short necked stringed, unfretted lute that is used in Greek, Turkish, Egyptian, Jewish, Mediterranean and other musics, is often considered to be the ancestor of the modern-day guitar. The plucking action is accomplished with a plectrum called mızrap. The mızrap for an ud is typically made of plastic and is thin and softer. Modern day examples fall into either the Arabic variety, which are larger and have a deeper sound, or the Turkish variety which is smaller and tuned one step above the Arabic ud, leading to higher sound. The example above shows the face of an ud with the string courses, and rosettes and was made in Kayseri, Turkey.
Keman
Occupying a more recent place in Ottoman art music, violins were not native instruments of the Turkish Court until European travelers arrived in the early 18th century. Until that time the only bowed instrument was the kemençe. The word ‘keman’ is Persian in origin and was generally used to indicate some sort of bowing action. The arrival of the western violin did not seem to create much of a furore, as the viola d’amore with its’ sympathetic strings was more in fashion. The Turkish name for this viola became sînekemani as it was played held against the chest (sîne meaning 'chest'), as violins are played today.
By the 19th century the western violin increased in usage and today it has become a common and perhaps in some ways essential instrument in traditional Turkish ensembles as well as in folk and dance music.
Bass
The double bass began to appear in the late 16th century in Germany and Italy and is often thought of as a member of the violin family. Typical construction uses spruce for the belly and maple for the ribs, neck and back, though newer experiments may use cedar or pine for the belly and poplar or beech for the rest of the instrument. Bass is not a traditional instrument in Turkish classical music, however Marhaba has found this instrument to be a natural fit for interpreting classical and even folk repertoire. The low range of the instrument makes it possible to walk the line between usul and melody. Bassists may also take cues from the documented history of the cello in makam music and is therefore ripe territory for the contemporary double bassist as it has become more common and popular for players of today to play in the "cello" register of the instrument. Of course bassists may also take inspiration from the bowed instruments that have been central to the tradition: kemençe, rebab, and yaylı tambur.
- Marhaba Vocabulary
As in any music genre, there is a vocabulary that becomes part of the conversation. Here are some terms we use during rehearsals and concert planning:
Makam: a modal system defining musical scales in Turkish music. This could be analogous to raaga in Indian classical music.
Akord: pitch or key in which a piece in played. This is not to be confused with the the concept of 'key' in Western classical music.
Peşrev: instrumental form typically in 4 sections with a refrain, written in major meters.
Şarkı: a type of non-religious vocal song, generally focusing on themes such as love and separation. The verses are typically 3 or 4 lines followed by a refrain.
Sâz Semâîsi: instrumental form in 4 sections and a refrain. In general, 3 of the sections and the refrain is written in a 10/8 meter and the 4th section is written in a 6/8 meter.
Güçlü: the dominant note in a makam.
Karar: the tonic of a makam.
Usûl: meter. Meters can range from 2/2 to 128/4, with each meter having a name of it's own.
İnce: Literally translated as 'thin', this term is often to used to describe a form of playing where all instruments play together in unison.
Fasıl: a suite of various forms, instrumental and vocal, moving from slower to faster in tempo in a particular makam.
Neyzen: honorific for someone who plays the ney.
Kemani: honorific for someone who plays the violin (keman).
Udi: honorific for someone who plays the ud.
Tanburi: honorific for someone who plays the tanbur.
Taksim: improvisation. This can happen between individual pieces, or within a piece, with accompaniment from other instruments or in silence.
Aranağme: refrain.
Türkü: term for vocal folk melodies.
- Past Marhaba Concerts
JP Porchfest, July 13th, 12:45pm, 15 Eliot Street
A fun community event, open to all, in Jamaica Plain, Ma.
'Modal Glimmers'
JP Concerts, April 12th, 8pm, 2019
Works from the Ottoman court tradition, dance forms and songs in the modal tradition, set to varying cycles of percussion.
St. John's Church - 1 Roanoke Ave. Jamaica Plain, MA
$15 General Admission
$10 Students and Seniorsfor tickets: https://www.artful.ly/store/events/16074
King's Chapel, March 19th, 12:15pm, 2019
Orkestra Marhaba Trio makes their debut at one of the most beautiful venues to play music!
Free and open to the public
Monday, November 26th@Passim, 7pm
47 Palmer Street, Cambridgetickets: https://www.passim.org/live-music/events/small-world-big-ears/
In Celebration of Rumi, 2018
On November 4th, Orkestra Marhaba will play during the 19th annual 'In Celebration of Rumi' event with poetry readings set to music followed by a Sema, where dervishes turn to a sung text.
November 4th, 3pm: Friends Meeting House, 5 Longfellow Park, Cambridge, MA
$15 Regular admission
$7 Seniors & Students
Thursday, January 25th, 8pm
Gallery 263, 263 Pearl Street,
Cambridge, MA (doors open at 7:30pm), $10
Thursday, January 25th, 8pm
Gallery 263, 263 Pearl Street,
Cambridge, MA (doors open at 7:30pm), $10
Saturday, August 4th, 2pm
Cary Memorial Library, Lexington MA, free
Thursday, June 21st, 5:30pm
Eustis Estate, Milton, MA, free.
Orkestra Marhaba plays a concert on the longest day of the year!
Wednesday, June 21st@ The Lilypad, 7:30pm
1353 Cambridge Street, Inman Square, Cambridge$10 at the door
Fred Stubbs - ney, bendir, cello
Volkan Efe - oud, kemence, voice
Diana Traylor - violin
Mike Harrist - yayli tanbur
Tev Stevig - tanbur
Shanteri Baliga - ney, bendir, voiceIn Celebration of Rumi, 2017
On November 4th and 5th 2017, Orkestra Marhaba will play during the 18th annual 'In Celebration of Rumi' event with poetry readings set to music followed by a Sema, where dervishes turn to a sung text.
November 4th, 7:30pm: Koumantzelis Auditorium, Bentley University, 175 Forest Street, Waltham, MA
November 5th, 3pm: Temple Beth Israel, 25 Harvard Street, Waltham, MA
Tickets can be purchased at the door or through eventbrite.
$15 Regular admission
$7 Seniors & Students
Thursday, November 2nd, 7pm
300 Higgins Hall, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA
Orkestra Marhaba plays a free concert showcasing different forms of Turkish music: Classical, sacred, instrumental, vocal and dance
Free and open to the public!
Wednesday March 23rd @ Outpost, 8pm $10
186 1/2 Hampshire Street in Inman Square, CambridgeFred Stubbs - ney
Shanteri Baliga - ney, voice, bendir
Tev Stevig - tanbur, fretless guitar
Volkan Efe - oud, kemence
Diana Traylor - violin
Michael Harrist - contrabass, yayli tanburMonday, October 23rd@Passim, 7pm
47 Palmer Street, Cambridgetickets: http://passim.org/club/small-world-big-ears-orkestra-marhaba-atlas-soul
Orkestra Marhaba appears at this intimate and cozy setting at Passim's to play some of our favorite pieces! We share the evening along with 'Atlas Soul'. A wonderful opportunity to listen to some world music with an original flair!
Thursday, April 20th @ The Lilypad, 7:30pm
1353 Cambridge Street, Inman Square, Cambridge$10 at the door
Fred Stubbs - ney, bendir, cello
Volkan Efe - oud, kemence, voice
Diana Traylor - violin
Mike Harrist - yayli tanbur
Tev Stevig - tanbur
Shanteri Baliga - ney, bendir, voiceOrkestra Marhaba joins Ross Daly and Kelly Thoma during their New England Tour!
Thursday April 7th, 2016: MIT Chapel, Cambridge.
Admission by donation
In Celebration of Rumi, 2016
On November 5th and 6th 2016, Orkestra Marhaba will play during the 17th annual 'In Celebration of Rumi' event with poetry readings set to music followed by a Sema, where dervishes turn to a sung text.
November 5th, 7:30pm: Koumantzelis Auditorium, Bentley University, 175 Forest Street, Waltham, MA
November 6th, 3pm: First Unitarian Society, 1326 Washington Street, Newton, MA
Tickets can be purchased at the door or through eventbrite.
$15 Regular admission
$7 Seniors & Students
Wednesday August 24th @ Outpost, 8pm
186 1/2 Hampshire Street in Inman Square, CambridgeFred Stubbs - ney, bendir
Tev Stevig - tanbur, fretless guitar
Volkan Efe - oud, kemence, voice
Diana Traylor - violinMusic of the Middle East (NECSEM Conference): Selections from Orkestra Marhaba, Bella-Musiqa and Miras
Saturday May 7th, 2016: Snowden Auditorium, UMass Boston, 7:30pm
Playing at the late Shahab Ahmed's memorial service at Memorial Church, Harvard University, November 2015
http://beenasarwar.com/2015/11/17/remembering-shahab-ahmed/
Sema: A Ceremony of the Whirling Dervishes
A free concert on March 9th, 2016, 8pm at the Distler Performance Hall, Granoff Music Center.
https://www.facebook.com/events/1555762674715177/
In Celebration of Rumi, 2015
On October 17th and 18th 2015, Orkestra Marhaba will play during the annual 'In Celebration of Rumi' event with poetry readings set to music followed by a Sema, where dervishes turn to a sung text.October 17th, 7:30pm: Koumantzelis Auditorium, Bentley University, 175 Forest Street, Waltham, MAOctober 18th, 3pm: First Unitarian Society, 1326 Washington Street, Newton, MATickets can be purchased at the door or through eventbrite (starting September 17th)$15 Regular admission$7 Seniors & StudentsThis is the 16th year for this event and we look forward to bringing another beautiful piece of ceremonial music to life!King's Chapel, August 13th, 12:15pm, 2019
'Summer Salutations'
Orkestra Marhaba returns to play at King's Chapel!
Free and open to the public
In Celebration of Rumi, 2019
On November 2nd and 3rd 2019, Orkestra Marhaba will play during the 20th annual 'In Celebration of Rumi' event with poetry readings set to music followed by a Sema, where dervishes turn to a sung text.
November 2nd, 7:30pm: Friends Meeting House, 5 Longfellow Park, Cambridge, MA
November 3rd, 3pm: Temple Beth Israel, 25 Harvard Street, Waltham, MA
Tickets can be purchased at the door or through eventbrite.
$15 Regular admission
$7 Seniors & Students
To register:
Cambridge
Waltham
In Celebration of Rumi, 2020
In Celebration of Rumi-a virtual event!
Orkestra Marhaba and guest musicians will play music with poetry readings set to music followed by a Sema, where dervishes turn to a sung text.
Saturday November 7th, 4:30PM
Tickets can be purchased through eventbrite:
https://rumi20anni.eventbrite.com
Zoom link will be sent to registrants. This is a virtual event.
Celebration of Gratitude, October 16th
Cathedral Church of St. Paul, 138 Tremont Street, Boston, Ma 02111
At the Cathedral Church of St. Paul, Saturday October 16th, 4pm
Register here:
http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?oeidk=a07eif6u6xz5582d1c8&llr=s4blzzbab
In Celebration of Rumi, 2021
Saturday November 6th, 7:30PM, via Zoom
An evening of music, the whirling of dervishes, and inspiring readings from the work of 13th century Sufi mystic Jalaluddin Rumi.
Tickets can be purchased through eventbrite:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/in-celebration-of-rumi-tickets-189380099977
Zoom link will be sent to registrants.In Celebration of Rumi, 2022
An evening of music, the whirling of dervishes, and inspiring readings from the work of 13th century Sufi mystic Jalaluddin Rumi.
Tickets can be purchased through eventbrite:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/in-celebration-of-rumi-tickets-189380099977
Zoom link will be sent to registrants.
Upcoming Marhaba Concerts
In Celebration of Rumi, 2023
Saturday, November 4, 2023, 6:30pm
First Church in Cambridge
11 Garden St, Cambridge, MA 02138
An evening of music, the whirling of dervishes, and inspiring readings from the work of 13th century Sufi mystic Jalaluddin Rumi.
Tickets can be purchased through eventbrite:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/in-celebration-of-rumi-tickets-738135311587?aff=oddtdtcreator
Free with Optional Donation
LIVESTREAM AVAILABLE ON CMM'S WEBSITE & FACEBOOK PAGE: https://www.facebook.com/cmminterfaith
- Say 'Marhaba' to us!
We like hearing from our listeners! Did you recently hear us at a concert and wonder about a piece? Are you an instrument maker and curious about the instruments we play? Did you want Orkestra Marhaba to play at a concert? Email us below or at orkestramarhaba@gmail.com.
Find us on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/OrkestraMarhaba