Vibrant sounds of Arab music filled the air on Dec. 7 as students, parents and community members joined the Arab Music Ensemble and Dance Troupe on stage for their fall concert at the Performing Arts Center San Luis Obispo (PAC). With attendees clapping and cheering along, the evening transformed into a celebration of traditional music, dance and community to create an interactive and engaging atmosphere.
The Arab Music Ensemble and Dance Troupe took to the stage during the first half of the show, blending traditional, improvisational and modern Arab music, according to Kenneth Habib, ensemble director and music professor. The performance featured instrumental and singing pieces, both on the group and solo level.
The ensemble, which performs once a quarter, consists of 36 members. Half are Cal Poly students who earn one unit of college credit through the ensemble, and the rest being dedicated community members, Habib said.
Music and the process of learning the art form is especially important to Téa Tran, violin soloist and graduate student.
“I learned so much about the language, the meaning,” Tran said. “Even though I play, I’m always a student, always learning.”
Garbed in long gold skirts and gold coin pendant waist chains, the Arab Music Ensemble Dance Troupe accompanied the musicians on stage to provide a visual element. The dancers’ rhythmic movements correlated with the music, sparking cheers from the audience.
Following the performance, Habib invited willing attendees to join the dancers on stage, turning the performance into a shared celebration. Sandro Rivera, whose daughter performed in the ensemble for the first time, praised the inclusive atmosphere.
“They were engaging us,” Rivera said. “[When] the audience participates, of course you’re going to like it.”
The second half of the evening featured the Chookasian Armenian Ensemble, a five-member group that showcased traditional songs, folk dance tunes and intricate improvisations.
The ensemble played instruments such as the clarinet, qanun, oud and dumbeg. The two ensembles collaborated on an improvisational piece before closing the night, a moment that brought Habib’s vision for the concert full circle.
“We’re in education,” Habib said. “The job, first and foremost, is part of an educational mission.”
Habib explained that he wants to educate not only his students, but also audience members who are interested in learning more about Arabic culture.
The concert drew a mix of first-time attendees and supporters who have attended every show since Habib founded the group in 2006. For civil engineering freshman Christian Angelis, the event was deeply personal.
“I’m Middle Eastern, so it’s my culture, and I wanted to experience that,” Angelis said.
This was Angelis’ first visit to the PAC. He described the energy at the beginning of the show as quiet but added, “People started getting into the groove and really got into the music.”
Following the night’s conclusion of a standing ovation, Tran reflected on her experience as part of the ensemble.
“There’s this Arabic word called ‘Tarab,’” Tran said. “It’s meaning is almost ecstasy, or some type of flow state, and that’s what I experience when I make music on stage with [the] Arab Music Ensemble.”
The ensemble’s winter concert will take place on March 1, 2025 at 7:30 p.m at the PAC. Tickets are available on the Arab Music Ensemble’s website.