Throat-singing class offered for first time

For the first time ever at IU or any other university in America, Mongolian throat, or khoomei singing, is being offered for college credit. \nChristopher Atwood, professor of central Eurasian studies, said Mongolian throat singing is unique to Mongolia and Tuva and an important part of their musical traditions in the past and the present. "Throat singing is not connected with formal religion, but it is connected with the sense of nature being alive with spirits," Atwood said.\nThroat singing has been spreading across the world because of classes being taught just like the one here at IU. Susie Drost, a member of the Mongolian Society at IU, said the organization has worked intensively on the development of the class. \n"(We) have been working on collecting grants for almost two years to bring this class to IU," Drost said. "This will be the only time this class will be offered."\nThe instructors of this course are known throughout the world in the discipline of throat singing. Odsuren Baatar has performed throat singing in China, Russia and Mongolia for 20 years, along with teaching his art to others. He has won several awards for his mastering and preservation of throat singing. Battuvshin Baldantseren is an accomplished instrumentalist and also a throat singer. He has performed on many continents including the U.S., Europe and Asia. He was recently awarded the title of "Honored Artist" in Mongolia and Buriatia, Russia.\n"Khoomei is singing a note and bringing it as far down the back of your throat, as possible," Baatar said. The tone or pitches of the note can then be changed by, "moving your tongue on the roof of your mouth and back," he added.\nWith the help of translator and assistant instructor Peter Marsh, Baatar explained that in Mongolia, teachers are addressed with the added word bagsh. So Baatar is addressed by IU students as Odsuren bagsh, to create a learning environment similar to that in Mongolia.\nBaatar said the first lesson is "that you are doing it correctly if you feel the need to cough." This is because a person is putting a huge amount of stress on the throat when done properly. When done properly, the sound made is very similar to that made by someone talking into a fan. \nThe course is being taught in a very hands-on and physical way, just as it is in Mongolia. The instructors circle the class, feeling the students' throats along with having the students feel theirs to make sure the proper method is being used.\nThis course is going to be taught as an informative course. Baatar said he will structure the pace of the course depending on the students' progress.\nTo learn more about throat singing, Peter Marsh, the assistant instructor will be organizing a throat- singing workshop today from 12 to 1 p.m. at the Hoagy Carmichael room, Morrison Hall 006.\nAlso, there is going to be a Mongolian Concert, featuring throat singing from 3 to 4 p.m. Sunday. Finally, if you want to attend the class to experience learning first hand, the class meets from 12:20 to 1:10 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday in the Music Building, room 149C and on Wednesday at the same time in the MAC, room 036.