UCSB Middle East Ensemble

The UCSB Middle East Ensemble is an official Ethnomusicology Performance Ensemble in the UCSB Music Department. Founded in 1989 by ethnomusicology professor Scott Marcus, the ensemble’s repertoire reflects the rich cultural diversity of the Middle East. It performs music and dance from Arab, Turkish, Persian, Armenian, Greek, Sephardic and Oriental Jewish, Kurdish, and Assyrian traditions. Performances range from classical and religious pieces to folk and popular songs, as well as folk and cabaret-style dances.

This channel is dedicated to Sue Rudnicki, who led the percussion section for 36 years, inspiring countless students and community members with a deep love of Middle Eastern music. She also archived videos, photographs, and documents from past to present, ensuring they remain accessible to all of us.

by Ferit Özdemir