Tuvan Throat Singers put on show at Edmond Library

EDMOND November 14, 2008 12:37 am

— More than 200 people filled the meeting space Thursday at the Edmond Library and spilled out into the lobby to hear the Huun Huur Tu Tuvan Throat Singers. Singing folk music from their native Tuva, a small republic sandwiched between Mongolia and Siberia, the Throat Singers exhibited the unusual ability to sing two or more tones simultaneously.
The origin of the style goes back many centuries when it was used in religious rituals. The concert, part of the Metropolitan Library Systems’ 11-year-old “Our World” series, was sponsored by Friends of the Library through its annual book sale and the Oklahoma Arts Council.

Photos

PHOTO PROVIDED | ELAINE WARNER An overflow crowd, including students from Oklahoma Christian University and Trinity School, assembled for Thursday morning's concert.

PHOTO PROVIDED | ELAINE WARNER Self-taught musician Kaigal-ool Khovalyg was a shepherd until he was invited to join the Tuvan State Ensemble.?He later helped found Huun Huur Tu.

PHOTO PROVIDED | ELAINE WARNER Trinity School students, from left, Willow Gravitt and Zane Powell, of Oklahoma City, and Connor Ferguson, of Edmond, watch the Tuvan musicians.

PHOTO PROVIDED | ELAINE WARNER The five members of Huun Huur Tu Tuvan Throat Singers?ingers also played native instruments including stringed instruments, flutes and percussion.