Balkan Ensemble

Founded by its director Roger Landes in 2012, Texas Tech School of Music Balkan Ensemble explores the traditional music of Greece and the Balkan region, as well as other related musics from nearby regions. Open to all Western as well as Balkan Instruments, singing and dancing are also integral parts of the ensembles' performances. TTU Balkan Ensemble presents a unique opportunity for students and community guest players to explore the complex rhythms and characteristic modes in musics that developed from the meeting of east and west.

We perform dance tunes and vocal pieces—traditional tunes are presented alongside recently composed works—in various asymmetrical meters such as 5/8, 7/8, 9/8, 11/8, 15/8, as well as 4/4, 2/2, 3/4, 6/8 meters more familiar from Western music, with an emphasis on ensemble playing and improvisation.