Zai Academy of Guitar

Zai Academy of Guitar

Zai Violin Studio

Upcoming and/or Current Events:

OCEAN

Music for large Ensemble

Saturday, Nov. 8, 2008

7 pm

4001 South Rogers

Bloomington, IN

Free Admission

Studio Recital

April 19th 2008, at 3:30 pm

Monroe County Historical Center

202 E 6th St.

Free Admission

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Past Events:

Spring Violin Concert

March 1st, 2008

4 pm

UU Church

2120 Fee Lane, Bloomington

Studio Recital

Dec 8th at 5:15 pm

Monroe County Historical Center

202 E 6th St.

Free Admission

The stage right before the show!

MUSIC FOR A PLANET for 2007 written by S. Zai for large ensemble was performed Sat October 20 2007

PRESS RELEASE

What: MUSIC FOR A PLANET

New Music for large ensemble by Sulaiman Zai

A concert by members of the Bloomington Community in conjunction with the Zai Music Studio

Where: 909 E 2^nd St (Harmony School Gym)

When: 7 pm, Saturday October 20^th

Admission: Free

This is the third concert of its type in Bloomington within the span of eighteen months. Local musicians and teachers Sulaiman and Jill Zai noticed that although there is a great wealth of diverse musical activity in Bloomington, there was a still a group of musicians with a need which was not being addressed. Specifically, the many local musicians who are not professional but love to play, (though the group includes professional players as well) enjoy a challenge, and for one reason or another do not participate in the ranks of the community orchestras, bands or choirs.

So, what is unique about the approach that the Zais are taking? Sulaiman creates music which is hopefully not only pleasing to the audience but it is written tailored to the strengths, abilities and creativity of each individual player. Once players express an interest and sign up (for about the cost of one music lesson) naming their preferred instrument, Sulaiman meets with them to hear them play and then weaves that person and their instrument into the larger work. Regardless of the level of experience they are given a part which is written within their ability level. Those who would like to play a solo, request to have one written for them; sometimes a short phrase and sometimes longer passages which expose that player within a piece.

The ensemble is made up of an interesting range of instrumentalists. You don’t often see guitars, brass, singers and violinists and percussionists of varying and ages and ability levels and people from different walks of life playing together. The average size of the group so far has been about thirty five people. At the first rehearsal everyone is a bit nervous and uncertain. By the time the performance happens about a month later, nobody wants it to end. These projects so far have proven themselves to be rich in musical and social experience. The length of the show is usually under an hour and admission is free.

The two previous shows were called ARCHANGEL and MUSIC FOR A KING. The current one is called MUSIC FOR A PLANET and is written as an affectionate serenade to our planet Earth. Sample titles of some of the pieces are Mountains, River Po and Orbital Hum. It is written with the intention of being fun to play and hopefully fun to listen to as well.

Studio Recital May 12th

Trinity Episcopal Church (Kirkwood and Grant)

Ensemble March 07

S. Zai's new recording ALASKAN BLUE is out and available here

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Images from Recital December 17, 2006

Congratulations to all of our participants in Music for a King . (Watch for upcoming video clips of the performance on the Audio/Video page.) Music inspired by the story of King Arthur for a large mixed ensemble composed by Sulaiman Zai. Performance was at October 28 2006 in Bloomington Indiana.

MUSIC FOR A KING