"Ashugh Songs"
will be an 8-12 minute composition
It will consist of 5 movements (ranging from 1-1/2 to 3 minutes each)
All 5 movements can be played in order
Alternatively, you can mix+match movements to create a shorter suite of
songs
The consortium buy-in is $100
Payment will be due by the end of September 2025
Payment can be made via the PayPal button below, via check, or via Venmo or Zelle (contact me for details)
PDF scores and parts will be delivered by June 2025
The premiere performance will be in July 2025 by Beer City Winds,
conducted by Dr. Shannon Shaker
Consortium members will receive exclusivity through August 2026
Ashughs were troubadours in 16th-19th century Armenia who composed
hundreds of songs, many of which remain popular today.
Similar troubadours also existed in other areas of the Middle East during
this
time, and the term "ashugh" is likely derived from the Arabic word
"ashiq".
Almost all existing Armenian-influenced band music (for instance,
Alfred Reed's "Armenian Dances") is based on the
transcriptions,
arrangements, and original compositions by an ethnomusicologist
and composer named Komitas
Vardapet.
Komitas is revered by Armenians, but his works comprise only one small
fraction of Armenian music.
"Ashugh Songs" will feature songs by five different Ashughs:
Sheram, Ashot, Shahen, Havasi, and Sayat Nova
I
handle each order personally: I am not always able to reply
immediately, but I will always send an email response (along with any
PDFs ordered) within 24 hours.
Occasionally
email servers will redirect it to your junk mail folder or will reject
emails with attachments from contacts you have not previously emailed: if you have not received a response
after 24 hours, please contact me at michael@michaelmikulka.com