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Music and other forms of art talk more about a region and its people than pages of written text. It isn’t surprising that music is often a great window into studying different cultures and civilizations. Since time immemorial, music has served as a vital tool in shaping civilizations, telling the stories of people, their struggles, and triumphs. Music serves as a bridge connecting cultures, beliefs, and people across the globe. If you are part of a choir or manage one, embracing works from different parts of the world not only diversifies your repertoire but also celebrates culture and humanity. For any Western choir group, secular choral works from the Middle East let you gain a deep understanding of the region and its people.
Religion and faith are close to the hearts of the people in the Middle East. However, most Westerners tend to look at this region through the prism of its rich religious traditions. While sacred chants, tied to the religious text, are passed down through generations in this region, there exists a vibrant heritage of secular choral music. It celebrates human experience, love, unity, and the shared aspirations of everyday life. At Dozan World, we are proud to introduce you to some of the best secular choral works from this region.
The Middle East is a mosaic of languages, ethnic groups, and traditions, and each of them has made contributions to building this rich collection of secular choral works. Stretching from Morocco in the west to Iran in the east, the choral music is deeply rooted in centuries-old customs. They offer you a window into the social lives, folklore, and festive occasions of the communities. As a choir trained in other traditions, you’ll find the choral traditions of this region interesting and embark on a journey of self-discovery. From Unison to 2 Voices and SSA/A to SAB and Mixed Choir, we have something for every choral group in our collection.
At its core, secular choral music from the Middle East is a celebration of our common humanity. This region, which is often in the headlines for conflicts, has more to offer the world. The secular choral works here celebrate the rich culture and humanity and remind us of all that, despite differences, people everywhere experience love, longing, laughter, and loss. In this region, storytelling has been a means of preserving history, where values are passed from one generation to the next orally. Secular works celebrate culture and humanity through music and recognize the common threads that tie us together.
When you understand the inner meanings of the poems and verses, you realize that they speak of universal emotions. Most of these works celebrate love, mourning loss, and talk about the struggles and triumphs of ordinary people. In a conflict-ridden world, where countries in a race to become economic and military powers find themselves engaged in long and mindless conflicts, music from the Middle East is spreading empathy and reminding us of the beauty found in shared expression. Add these secular works to your repertoire, and you’ll become part of a growing tribe that celebrates human values and builds bridges to defeat hate and falsehood.
Delve into the rich secular musical traditions of the region, and the diversity will captivate you. You will find a blend of classical Arabic poetry, folk melodies, rhythms from tribal dances, and modern arrangements influenced by global music trends. This diversity enables choirs to create programs that reflect a range of moods and experiences. Whether your audience expects joyful celebrations or nostalgic ballads, you will never be short of inspiration to charm your audience. From timeless sounds to contemporary rhythms, you always have something to play for any setting.
Middle Eastern secular choral music is a relatively unexplored territory that holds a great deal of novelty. Come and explore these works and let's celebrate culture and humanity together.
What makes Middle Eastern secular choral music different from Western works?
Middle Eastern secular music has unique modal scales (which includes, major, minor and microtonal), intricate rhythms, and ornamentation. You will love the distinctive tonalities that let you place something unique for your audience.
Can we perform these pieces without the knowledge of Arabic script or regional languages?
Yes! At Dozan World, we share pronunciation aids, sheet music, and cultural context to let you start playing without learning local languages.
Is Middle Eastern secular music popular?
Middle Eastern secular music is extremely popular and an inherent part of the culture. Also, it is gaining popularity thanks to the Internet. Practicing these broadens your repertoire and offers something unique to your audience.
Is this repertoire suitable for all age groups and skill levels?
Yes, at Dozan World, we have curated a collection that is suitable for beginner, intermediate, and advanced choirs. You can choose the pieces based on your choir’s skill level and start a new musical journey.