Work Samples

Audio:

Longa Shahnaz

Sama'i Bayatti

Raqsat Sayed Mohammed

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We perform classical and traditional music from the Middle East, mostly from the past 200 hundred years, though the folk music we include could be older than that. The classical art music is a more urban musical form, while the folk music and dance music usually comes from villages and rural regions. The instruments we perform on are traditional, and some are only played in this kind of music.

Salamat is one of first music ensembles in Minnesota to specialize in Arabic classical and traditional music. The group's name comes from the word salamat, an Arabic greeting formed from the word for peace (salaam). Members of Salamat have all studied with master musicians and have impressive performing histories in Minnesota, across the U.S. and abroad. Salamat's members, a cross-cultural mix themselves, come from a range of musical backgrounds and experiences including Western conservatories, an Egyptian conservatory, ethnomusicological training, and performance work in many different kinds of other world music. Salamat was founded to share this elegant music to help people, young and old, learn to appreciate the great beauty in it, while inspiring an understanding of an aspect of Middle Eastern culture. Performances include teaching what to listen for in the music, a lot of audience involvement such as clapping, singing, and dancing, with information about the music and our very unique instruments.

Available: Salamat is available year-round, any day of the week, daytime or evening, we do not have any mileage restrictions, but would need travel expenses covered for locations outside the Twin Cities.

Space: Performance requirements include seven armless chairs and a sound system for seven microphones and stands (or we can provide the sound system for an additional fee). We will need to be in the performance space one hour prior to performance for instrument tuning and set-up.

Fee: Our performance fees range from $700 to $1,400, negotiable. Workshops are available for $75 and up.