The Dal’Ouna Ensemble is set to captivate audiences once again at Texas Tech with its upcoming concert featuring renowned Palestinian musician Ramzi Aburedwan. This marks the ensemble's second performance at the university, following its successful concert in 2018.

 The Dal’Ouna Ensemble is a diverse group of artists, drawing from a variety of cultural backgrounds. Founded in 2000 by Ramzi Aburedwan, the group specializes in music from the Levant, encompassing parts of the Middle East, and incorporates elements of Western music. This fusion of styles promises a unique and enriching listening experience that highlights the beauty and complexity of Middle Eastern music.
 
Where it All Began
 
Sarai Brinker, Assistant Professor of Practice in Musicology and Music Humanities, first connected with Ramzi Aburedwan and the Dal’Ouna Ensemble when she read about Aburedwan’s life and his introduction to music. His experience inspired him to establish Al-Kamandjâti, an organization dedicated to promoting music education for children in Palestine. Through music, Aburedwan aims to cultivate and celebrate art while offering young people a platform to express themselves positively.
 
The Dal’Ouna Ensemble first performed in Lubbock in Spring 2018, and the group was more than happy to return to West Texas this year. Reflecting on their previous collaboration, Brinker recalled the warmth and enthusiasm Ramzi received from the local community during his last performance in Lubbock. The enthusiastic response from students at both Lubbock High and Texas Tech University highlighted their mission of bringing the unfamiliar to audiences. Brinker expressed that she appreciates the willingness of her students to listen and try to understand new musical styles: “Even though it’s something different and not what they’re used to, there’s an openness.”
 
Meaningful Experiences 
 
This project represents much more than just a performance. Aburedwan’s commitment to fostering these connections through the Dal’Ouna Ensemble is a testament to the transformative power of music. This year’s concert takes place in the newly renovated Hemmle Recital Hall. The hall’s improved sound capabilities will enhance the audience's experience. Aburedwan and the Dal’Ouna Ensemble are also engaging directly with music students, inviting them to perform along side them. The group will be sharing their musical ideas in classes, rehearsals, and other interactions with students.
 
As a music educator, Brinker is dedicated to providing her students with meaningful experiences that leave a lasting impact. She encourages them to reflect on significant musical moments in their lives, often highlighting how these experiences shape their perspectives. “When I ask them about peak musical experiences, they often recall concerts that made a profound impression,” she explained.
 
The Evolving Nature of the Dal'Ouna Ensemble
 
“Dal’Ouna,” stands for “communal values of synchronicity, collaborative work and mutual support; named after a style of a song performed in Palestine, Lebanon and Syria.” The ensemble is not a static group but rather one that adapts and evolves over time, with its membership varying for each performance.
 
“The Dal'Ouna has a limited number of core members, and it kind of waxes and wanes,” Brinker explained. “While some musicians are consistent, others change based on availability and personal circumstances. For instance, the percussionist from their last performance could not join this time due to family commitments, while other members, like the accordion player remain the same... They have this shared body of repertoire that they’re all familiar with,” she noted. Their fluidity allows them to adapt their performances to different contexts and audiences, enriching the experience for both the musicians and attendees.
 
Reflecting on the ensemble’s previous performance, Brinker recalled a special moment when they played Beethoven's "Ode to Joy.” This performance served to create cultural connections, allowing the audience to see the musicians not just as representatives of their backgrounds but as universal artists conveying a message of hope and mutual understanding.

Andrew Stetson, Director of the School of Music, is proud of the School of Music’s commitment to celebrating the global understanding music makes possible. “In music, we find that we have much more in common than we think. There are different rhythms, different pitch centers, and different harmonic traditions across cultures, but no matter their origin, everything forms together around the ideals of shared expression and human connection. In this way, and for just a few fleeting moments on stage, music becomes a common language. It doesn’t matter where we’re from, how advanced of a musician we are, or what may be dividing us. Music transcends so much of this and brings people together in a way that nothing else can.”
 
The performance of Ramzi Aburedwan and the Dal’Ouna Ensemble, featuring Oudai Al khatib and Texas Tech School of Music students will be on Friday, October 11 at 6 PM in Hemmle Recital Hall.