Tuvan Throat Singers Open UW Cultural Programs Series Sept. 29

Huun Huur Tu, a Tuvan throat singing quartet, opens the University of Wyoming's Cultural Programs series that features a variety of world-renowned performers.

Coming from Tuva, a Russian Federation republic on the Mongolian border, Huun Huur Tu will perform at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 29, in the Buchanan Center for the Performing Arts concert hall.

Tickets cost $15.50 for the public; $12.50 for senior citizens, UW faculty and staff; and $10.50 for UW students. Tickets are available starting Wednesday, Sept. 23, at www.uwyo.edu/finearts or by calling (307) 766-6666. Tickets also are available at the Wyoming Union information desk.

The most distinctive characteristic of Huun Huur Tu’s music is the group’s throat singing. The musicians sing both the note (drone) and the drone’s overtone(s) to produce two or three notes simultaneously. The overtone may sound like a flute, whistle or bird, but is actually the human voice.

The group primarily uses native Tuvan instruments such as the igil, khomus (Tuvan jaw harp), doshpuluur and dünggür (shaman drum). In recent years, the group has begun to selectively incorporate Western instruments, such as the guitar, while experimenting with electronic music as well. But most of Huun Huur Tu’s music is fundamentally indigenous Tuvan folk music.

The quartet has recorded 10 CDs since 1993, plus several more with other artists from around the world.

To learn more about Huun Huur Tu, follow the group on Facebook.

Each year, Cultural Programs brings a variety of internationally known performers to campus, often at ticket prices much less than at larger venues. This season features five performances during the fall semester and five spring semester performances. All shows are at 7:30 p.m. in either the Performing Arts Center concert hall or the College of Arts and Sciences auditorium.

Shows ranging from jazz versions of Michael Jackson’s music to a cappella groups and performances by internationally recognized duo pianists and a Grammy Award-winning family group are scheduled for this season’s Cultural Programs series.

For a complete list of fall and spring programs, visit www.uwyo.edu/culturalprogram/.