Classical Persian Music: Hossein Omoumi, from Isfahan to Irvine

Hossein Omoumi and his students will present a documentary film and an educational concert of Classical Persian Music on Saturday, October 21, 2017 at 7:30 p.m. in the UCSB MultiCultural Center Theater. Admission is free. This event is sponsored by the UCSB Department of Music, the Iranian Studies Initiative, Duncan and Suzanne Mellichamp, the UCSB MultiCultural Center, and the Iranian Graduate Student Association (IGSA).

About the Documentary

“You have heard it in American movies, world music festivals, celebrations of Rumi’s poetry, and at universities across the country. Classical Persian music has a long history of exchange with musical traditions of the Silk Road, and today it is defining its place in the United States. Hossein Omoumi, master of the Persian reed flute called the Ney, is an epicenter of this movement. An internationally recognized musician, Omoumi has introduced innovative technology to Persian instruments with centuries of history. He is also a down-to-earth teacher, welcoming students to the labyrinth of Persian music with humor and patience. Omoumi is an endowed professor at University of California in Irvine, and he teaches students nationwide and worldwide via new technologies like Skype.

Hossein Omoumi has made it his life’s mission to provide global access to classical Persian music. This documentary film will introduce the history and beauty of classical Persian music through his innovations in education and musical technology. The film engages a diverse audience, following this compelling musician while also providing insight into Persian music itself.”

Source: www.der.org

This documentary was supported by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), the Roshan Cultural Heritage Institute, the Claire Trevor School of the Arts at UCI, the Jordan Center for Persian Studies, and the Documentary Educational Resources (DER).