After visiting schools in the local area, Yamma Ensemble from Israel introduced their unique music styles Saturday at the Doudna Fine Art Center.

The ensemble is made up of members Talya G.A. Solan, lead vocals; Avri Borochov, double bass;
Yonnie Dror, wind instruments;
Aviad Ben Yehuda, percussion Sefi Asfuri, string instruments; and
Evgeny Krolik, sound engineer.

Solan said Israel is an immigrant country, which means there are many different cultures that are mixing to create their culture. The same thing applies to their musical style.

The bands music is inspired by Eastern European, Balkan, Gypsy, Sephardic and Yemenite melodies.

While the ensemble spoke English, their music was performed in different languages, including Hebrew and Arabic.

Some of the music Yamma played included: “Yesh Li Gan” or “I Have a Garden” by Haim Nachman Bialik and composed by

Nachum Nardi; “Yad Anuga” or “A Delicate Hand” by Zalman Shneor and is one of the oldest Israeli songs; “Ketri Ketri,” a gypsy love song by Solan and arranged by Borochov.

The band also used many different types of instruments, some common in America, and others that are less common.

The band introduced instruments including: Ouds, a 3,500-year-old string instrument and the ancestor of the lute and guitar; a Jumbushs, an instrument similar to the banjo; and Darbukas, a hour-glass-shaped drum popular throughout the Middle East.

The Yamma Ensemble of Israel is a part of the 2011 Arts Midwest World Fest. This program brings groups from different countries to travel in America.

The bands stay in each area for a week and give workshops and master classes at many different schools in the area.

While in the Charleston area, the band performed at elementary and senior high schools in Oakland, Casey, Robinson, Oblong and as well as Lake Land and Lincoln Trail Colleges.

Solan said the ensemble enjoyed playing at the different schools.

“We see on their faces many times a expression of surprise and astonishment,” Solan said. “Maybe we look like an alien to them.”

Judy Smith, a Newton resident, said her grandson saw them perform at his school.

“I’m glad my grandson is enjoying this and being exposed to all types of cultural music,” Smith said.

Solan said the band has also learned from their performances.

“For us it’s a kind of test to see what’s our most communicative song, what they think and don’t like,” Solan said. “It’s just the reaction to our music.”

Allison Fischer, a Charleston resident, said she enjoyed the difference of the music.

“You don’t get a lot of culture in Charleston,” Fischer said. “It’s nice that they came here and shared their art with us. It’s not the usual in the United States.”

Solan said the band hopes the audience enjoyed their music and hoped it help encourage them to listen to new types of music.

“We hope that they will be open-minded to music they are not familiar with,” Solan said. “We especially hope we gave them a teaser to go and listening to different cultures music. I think that is the most important thing.”

Solan said they have enjoyed playing in the U.S.

“It is an honor for us to share our music wherever we go,” Solan said.

The other groups that are included in the 2011 Arts Midwest World Fest include Tarim: Uygur Song and Dance Ensemble from China during the week of Feb. 27, 2012 through March 3, 2012; Wust el Balad of Egypt from Oct. 21-Oct. 27, 2012; and Cudamani from Bali from April 27-April 27, 2013.

Samantha McDaniel can be reached at 581-2812 or slmcdaniel@eiu.edu.